Approaches to Multidimensional Health in Representations of Islamic Themes among Black Male Characters in American Film and Television

Abstract

Historically, representations of Islamic themes in media narratives of Black men have been characterized by personal transformations in the midst of surviving in crime-ridden inner city areas. These young Black men are usually at-risk due to their statuses as Black, economically disadvantaged men. Beginning with Malcolm X and Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X, the Black male Islamic redemption narrative has become a common theme in Black popular culture, as it is usually supplemented with unique methods of confronting the various dimensions of health. Throughout this study, the representations of these approaches among Black men in contemporary film and television are examined throughout realms of spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, social, and vocational health.