Abstract

The Myth of the “BBC”: Racism in the Making of the Oversexed Black Male

Noor Ghanam and Noor Ghanam
Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit

APHA 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo

The stereotype of the "Big Black Cock" (BBC) is a pervasive myth that has long been rooted in American culture, often rearing its head in popular media and pornography. Lesser known is that this myth was born from the era of slavery, and was often used as a justification for violence against Black men by promoting the stereotype of the violent, oversexed, overtly-endowed Black male. This paper critically examines the lack of biological validity behind the myth of the “BBC,” as well as its impacts on Black male psychosocial health. By confronting harmful myths about Black male biology and exploring their racial history and implications, this research highlights the importance of advocating for a healthier, more accurate image of Black male sexuality in sexual education programs, and contributes to a greater conversation about dismantling sexual stereotypes as part of contributing to a more anti-racist society.

Advocacy for health and health education Diversity and culture Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs