ABSTRACT
Predicting the future is no easy task. This chapter is not going to predict the future. However, it will present some indicators of the future. One way to think about what may happen is to look at what has happened and what is happening in terms of black male incomes. First will be the presentation of some data about black male head of household incomes. What is the difference between black and white male incomes over time? Thinking of black male heads of household that have made it by earning higher salaries, how much income do they earn compared to the three other identities: white males, white females, and black females? The thinking is that these income distributions would suggest what other black males that have not accomplished high earnings would have to look forward to as they compete to establish their masculine hegemonies-perhaps establishing themselves in terms of head of household high-income statuses. However, it might be that many will choose not to compete in terms of normal values since they might think the payoff is too meager for the social costs. Finally, would it be possible to predict income by a set of typical characteristics that might set the black male population apart from other populations? Therefore, a discussion of the future for black males with respect to education and occupation is necessary. After showing the likely status for black males in the future, the chapter discusses what we could do from a relational theory standpoint. This standpoint would consider why things did not change in the past. In addition, it will suggest the need for transformation of enduring gendered structures organized on both macro and micro levels of practice.
