Starting the Conversation

Abstract

Helping boys stand against sexual violence is not a one-time event and requires a sustained conversation. Chapter 4 identifies some key complications that boys may face once they decide to share their voices so that caretakers can be prepared to help them through the process of adopting anti-violent perspectives. Particular emphasis is given to questioning the popular notion of defending alleged Black perpetrators as a default position for Black boys. Standing against violence is definitively pro-Black, as this chapter explains. The chapter also identifies the social justice ideologies held by many Black boys as a potential resiliency factor that can help them to adopt anti-violence perspectives.