PhD Oral Exam - Jamilah Dei-Sharpe, Social and Cultural Anthropology

When studying for a doctoral degree (PhD), candidates submit a thesis that provides a critical review of the current state of knowledge of the thesis subject as well as the student’s own contributions to the subject. The distinguishing criterion of doctoral graduate research is a significant and original contribution to knowledge.

Once accepted, the candidate presents the thesis orally. This oral exam is open to the public.

Abstract

 This dissertation examines how Black men in Canada experience and resist gendered racism, the intersection of racial and gender-based marginalization that shapes systemic and interpersonal barriers across the of sexuality spectrum. Using a grounded theory design, this study draws on symbolic interactionism, Black feminism, and critical/decolonial masculinity studies to develop a humanizing account of Black male identity and community leadership. 

Black masculinity is often represented problematically within Western theory, particularly through uncritical applications of Hegemonic Masculinity Theory (HMT). These frameworks portray Black men as engaging in hypermasculine behaviours to compensate for societal constraints and oppression, reinforcing deficit-based and racialized narratives. In the Canadian context, where Black men face disproportionately high rates of incarceration, school dropout and streamlining, underemployment, and premature mortality, such framings obscure their lived realities and potential for social transformation. 

Through semi-structured interviews with (n=21) Black male community organizers in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto, this research addressed three questions: (1) How do race and gender intersect to shape the lived experiences of Black men in Canada? (2) How do Black men construct and define their masculinities, and in what ways do their definitions challenge or reinforce dominant gender discourses? (3) How do Black male community organizers mobilize against gendered racism, and how do they contribute to community advancement in Canada?  

Findings reveal that Black men encounter gendered racism through media stereotypes, educational marginalization, and workplace discrimination. However, they resist through two forms of intersectional gender advocacy: constructing counternarratives of masculinity and leading community-based efforts that address both gender and racial inequality. From these findings, the study concludes by proposing Intimate Masculinity Theory (IMT), a grounded gender theory that centers emotions, vulnerability, and inner life as vital to Black male identity, expanding beyond the limits of power- and dominance-based models.  

The study reframes Black men as a gender-equality deserving group in Canada, calling for greater recognition of their gendered experiences and advocacy work. It highlights their alignment with Black feminist approaches and underscores the need for gender theory to engage more deeply with participant narratives. Advancing gender justice for Black men enhances well-being, supports cross-gender coalition-building, and offers a transformative framework for equity in education, employment, and media. Dissemination will include academic publications, a public event on Black men and gender justice, and a policy brief addressing gendered racism in Canadian schools, workplaces, and media, informed directly by participant recommendations.