Appealing Because He Is Appalling: Black Masculinities, Colonialism, and Erotic Racism

“Appealing Because He Is Appalling engages critically with the work of James Baldwin and Frantz Fanon, exploring various registers of Black masculinity, Black sexuality and anti-Black racism. It is intersectional, reflective of social and political context, varied, and original in its scope.” Eddie Bruce-Jones, Reader in Law & Anthropology, Birkbeck College, University of London

“Appealing Because He Is Appalling engages with sociology, cultural studies, post-colonial studies, social anthropology, and Black studies across several continents. An exceptionally insightful and rigorous anthology, it will appeal to both scholars and activists.” William Henry, Associate Professor, University of West London

“Appealing Because He Is Appalling is an epitome of literary dialectics on the restoration of Black man to his original state in Eden. Undoubtedly, it represents a gigantic refocus and paradigmatic shift from Black male ‘gendercide’ to decolonizing rebirth of Black manhood. It is a literary bible, especially for all institutions engaging in Black gender studies.” Emmanuel Onyeozili, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

"Kitossa and the contributing authors have demonstrated a powerful example of reading Black men and boys in generative and restorative ways. Interestingly, Baldwin's and Fanon's cultural and psychoanalytic interpretations of Black masculinities add a profound level of criticality to these essays. I recommend this book for scholars, activists, organizers, and those interested in contemporary developments in Black masculinity studies." Martez Files, Decolonization of Criminology and Justice 4(1), 85-91

"This collection is comprehensive, insightful, theoretical, historical, and riveting in its exposure of the dangers and desires that Black masculinity poses in a global context. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty." C. B. Regester, Univ. of North Carolina--Chapel Hill,, CHOICE Magazine

“The book compiles a handful of excellent pieces that use this foundational framework to explore the representations of black masculinities and the experiences of black men across the globe…. This collection is an exciting contribution to the literature on masculinities. Its interdisciplinary approach illuminates rich avenues for inquiry regarding the representation of masculinity in media and scholarship.” Warren Jensen, Men and Masculinities, 2021