Black American Men and Complex Societal Educational Navigation of the Emergency Public Health Pandemic of COVID 19

COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, is an emergency pandemic that has an impact worldwide. In the U.S., a disturbing trend is where African Americans are experiencing a disproportionate amount of death. The US Centers for Disease Control recommends facemasks as protection from COVID-19. Many Black men feel that wearing a mask will give them the perception of being a criminal or being threatening in a non-Black community. Many Black men feel that wearing these masks will lead to racial profiling from people and police. Many Black men have a sense of anxiety about wearing a mask because they fear that it draws unwanted attention by wearing a mask in public. This paper explores this complexity through a content analysis of current events and theoretical literature. This applied research project intends to shed light on unique challenges facing people of Black American men as they attempt to navigate COVID-19.