‘Soft Life As A Black Man’ Trend Polarizes Viewers On Social Media

Entertainment


The internet recently began buzzing about a new social media trend that took off among Black men.

Centered on highlighting and promoting a “soft” lifestyle, the videos show Black men simply going about their day-to-day routine—and there are quite a few examples floating around!

The Trend Takes Off On TikTok

Uploads that followed the trend showed men engaging in soothing activities, like caring for houseplants, drinking tea, or just chillin’.

@ajtaughtyou

what self-care looked like today 🧘🏽‍♂️ the soft life of a black man. #softlife #blackmen #cleantok #cleaningtiktok #healthyliving #booktok #plantdad #xyzbca #fyp #foryourpage #dailyroutine #dayinmylife

♬ Too Much – Drake

@ajtaughtyou

the soft life of a black man 🧘🏽‍♂️ just keep going 🌿 #fyp #softlife #blackmen #healthyhabits #dailyroutine #xyzbca #dayinmylife #vlogger #dailyvlog

♬ original sound – RetroBands

@shapiro_villa

Soft Boy Era #softboy #softboyaesthetic #softboyaesthetic #blackboy #softblackboy #softblackman #performer #tinyhome #dc

♬ original sound – Shapiro

Working out and having hobbies like bowling and podcasting were included, too.

@joelabban

At my best when I’m in my element

♬ Crew Love – Drake

@ajtaughtyou

the soft life of a black man 🧘🏽‍♂️ spend the day with me. #fyp #fup #softlife #dayinmylife #vlogger #spendthedaywithme #dailyvlog #blackmen #xyzbca #greenscreen #healthyroutine

♬ Coi Leray Players DJ Saige Mashup – Saige

Some contributions made by a user going by @nicenonns are focused on showing what “dinner with a soft Black man” looks like.

@nicenonss

Choosing the path of less stress and least resistance. #mentalhealth #foryou #asmr #cookingtok

♬ In A Sentimental Mood – Duke Ellington & John Coltrane

@nicenonss

Hope everyone has an amazing week #Foryou

♬ I’ll Wait and Pray – John Coltrane

@nicenonss

“Soft” “Soft life” – Originated in the Nigerian community as a slang for living a life of comfort and low stress. #tjmaxx #foryou #mentalhealth

♬ Amore mio aiutami – Main Theme – Piero Piccioni

All in all, most videos of the trend were pretty straightforward and focused on calling attention to the “soft” life.

@ajtaughtyou

the soft life of a black man ☕️ what’s a morning routine without coffee and a good book. #fyp #xyzbca #dayinmylife #softlife #blackmen #vlogger #booklover #morningroutine #healthyhabits #foryourpage #2023 #dailyvlog

♬ IN THE AIR speed – cloudz/Solar🧚🏾‍♀️☁️🏎

@channdaily

Reposting because TikTok put a warning label on this video even though I’m literally not doing anything dangerous lol? Anyways, I choose to live a soft life lol #softlife #gay #viral

♬ original sound – ChannDaily 🏳️‍🌈

@ajtaughtyou

the soft life of a black man 🧘🏽‍♂️ fellas, the soft life isn’t just for women. it’s for you too! take care of yourself. no need to be hard, or guarded, or getting wrapped in “grind culture.” slow down and take care of yourself.🌿 #fyp #apartmenttherapy #cleaningtiktok #softlife #dayinthelife #cleaninghacks #vlogger #dailyroutine #plantdad

♬ Lil Uzi Vert SHELLS JUNE MIX – JUNE! (fka Shawn May)

Viewers Have Mixed Reactions

As the trend continued to take off, people began chiming in on other platforms like Twitter.

Many critics found the videos to be pretty mundane, as they were focused on showing “an adult doing things that adults do.”

It was even alleged that there was “something sinister about [TikTok] turning every basic action into a life aesthetic or personality trait.”

However, others thought the trend was “cute” and simply looked like “peace, happiness, and success.”

Overall, supporters thought the backlash was strange, as the “soft life” trend was all about promoting chillness.

On the other end of the spectrum, it was asserted that the overall trend is “inherently racist” at its core, as it applauds Black men for “doing the bare minimum” with adulting.

@ziahman

junk so lame bro. #fyp #softblackman #effeminizationoftheblackmale

♬ original sound – siah

Users also called for “a particular brand of bullying” to be brought back. Similarly, others implored people to leave the trend in 2022, as “we used to build and hunt.”

@livelargebitch

SOFT LIFE BLACK MAN 😂😂😂 WE CARRY THE STRONGEST BLOODLINE #fyp #softlife #trending #2023 #blacktiktok

♬ NOPE SO SUPA – SO SUPA ⚡️🥷

 

 

Are you here for the “soft life as a Black man” trend, and what do you think about the criticism against it?






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