Hung: A Meditation on the Measure of Black Men in America

by Scott Poulson-Bryant

A brilliant look at the pervasive belief that African American men are prodigiously endowed, from the author’s own experiences to sharp analysis of how black male sexuality is expressed in art, literature, media, sports, and pornography “Scott really goes there, talking honestly and telling secrets about the black phallus and its, uh, massive impact on America.” —Touré “Hung” is a double entendre, referring not only to penis size but to the fact that black men were once literally hung from trees, often for their perceived sexual prowess and the supposed risk it posed to white women. As a poignant reminder, Scott Poulson-Bryant begins his book with a letter to Emmett Till, the teenager who was lynched in Mississippi in the mid-1950s for whistling at a white woman.For Poulson-Bryant and other men of his generation, society’s deep-seated obsession with the sexual powers of black men has had an enormous, if often deceptive, influence on how they perceive themselves and on the assumptions made by others. His tales of his sexual encounters with both sexes, along with anecdotes about the lives of various friends and colleagues, are wryly and at times shockingly revealing. Enduring racial perceptions have shaped popular culture as well, and Poulson-Bryant offers a thorough, thought-provoking look at media-created images of the “Well-Hung Black Male.” He deftly deconstructs movies like Mandingo and Shaft, articles in the popular press, and edgy works like Robert Mapplethorpe’s Black Book, while also providing distinctive profiles of icons like porn star Lexington Steele and rapper L.L. Cool J. A mixture of memoir and cultural commentary, Hung is the first book to take on phallic fixation and uncover what lies below.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Race, Cultural Studies, Science, Psychology, Sexuality

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

"

Reviews

[Nakia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scott Poulson Bryant brought up a lot of interesting points concerning the Black male penis, namely how the myth of its large size began during slavery; how it's continued into modern times and affects men from all walks of life, from the board room to the movie screen; how men feel about the myth (research proves it's actually fact for most); whether its a blessing or a curse; and how this myth is connected to the way Black men are treated in the media.

I'd never heard of being "white girled" or the hierarchy in the porn industry concerning Black men and their costars...this book was educational on a level that I am unsure I was prepared for.

I found it odd that Poulson-Bryant had more anecdotal evidence than facts to prove his points. Talking to friends and acquaintances about their penile experiences doesn't seem like the stuff on which a book with so many social and psychological implications should rest.

I can't say that I enjoyed the book outside of his assessment of the "The Hung List" of Hollywood (a list of well hung actors was printed in Details magazine, with not a single Black actor mentioned) and how Black men in the media are portrayed when sexual assault enters the picture.

All I can say: it was eye opening and it led to a very entertaining coed discussion with my book club.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Investigates sexploitation of black men in history and popular culture and points to a direction forward. A positive book built on the ashes of our screwed-up society! It is explicit and solidly researched by an informed interviewer who has great access and excellent questions.

"And white men, history has shown us, anointed black men with the hypermasculine role that is, cleverly, as corrosive as it is celebratory."

I am working on a project for my class about the African diaspora, including the vestiges of slavery. This is one of the books that has helped resolve the subject for me. Beyond Slavery is another.

[Leib Mitchell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book Review
"A Meditation on The Measure of Black Men In America"
Scott Poulson-Bryant
1/5 stars
"How many silly tropes can be stapled together into a book?"
*******

I'm glad I didn't pay more for this book than I did, and really upset that I paid more than $0.25.

The whole thing can be read through in several hours, and in that way it is worth it because it helps maintain a book count (it would be ideal if I could do 61 books this year).

I thought that this book was going to be some historical discussion about black men getting lynched because they were thought to be sexual threats/predators. (It was published on the Doubleday label, which was heretofore credible--but not after this book.)

The book started out talking about--and was book ended by-- Emmett Till (the classic example of such an event).

It was all downhill from those couple of pages.

The whole book instead reads like a lllooonnnggg, stream-of-consciousness Dan Savage column, and it also has ZERO references/bibliographic citations. (For instance, when the author mentions [p. 70] that the average black guy's endowment is somewhere between 6.25"-8" (?!?!), There's no way for us to know where it came from; I do remember reading the exact same statistic in JP Rushton's "Race, Evolution, and Behavior," but Rushton has been so thoroughly discredited / ignored that the only way I could know that that statistic was false would be because Rushton was the primary author thereof.)

Who, but an academic, could make a connection between sexual endowment and lynching in the South because the same word is used to describe two things? (He went even further, creating the new word "hangature.")

1. The completely unrealistic tone of the book starts from the beginning where the author starts out with his story about being "objectified" by Some White Girl.

∆∆∆ IF there was a black guy who was interested in White Ladies (like a huge fraction are--with varying degrees of success because demand outstrips supply), and

∆∆∆ IF the mechanism of action of getting access to this Hypothetical White Lady's Tender Bits was being "sexually objectified"

∆∆∆ THEN it's almost certain that he would play whatever role he needed to play to get to where he wanted to be. ("You can call me 'Mandingo' and I can call you 'Blanche' if it makes it more realistic for you.")

2. Why is there so much anguish about this? Is there any straight man anywhere who would give enough thought to this topic to write even a single sentence, let alone an entire book? (The author refers to himself as "sexually expansive" in the last 1/5 of the book, while rejecting the labels "gay" or "bisexual." So, I guess not.)

3. Is there an issue at all here?

The author characterizes a black guy by the name of "Simon," who grew up in some lilly white environment and somewhere/ somehow inadvertently became famous for having extra large equipment.

This character also has the same feminine, emotional anguish about being "objectified."

Do we really believe that such a person exists? There are SO many Reddit, Twitter, and Chaturbate accounts with guys who are apparently abundantly eager to broadcast their own nude pictures all over the internet as far and wide as possible--complete with live measurements/comparison stills/ruler stills.

4. This guy does not appear to be too well educated, in spite of going to the Ivy league.

Let's count the clichés, shall we?

Cliché 1: The Alex Haley book "Roots." (You know, the one that was found to be substantially plagiarized and also completely ahistorical? That one?)

Cliché 2(p.113): "Karen" wants "Mandingo" because of the virility and the BBC. (And the author even references The 1975 film which is a hammy/overdone 2-hour riff on just that.)

It's like the author doesn't even notice that in the REAL WORLD it's nearly NEVER top shelf "Karens" that want "Mandingos." It's more like Bottom Line Baby Elephants being able to date one tier up if they can convince some black guy that "if you move the gut aside, there is some good 'product' down there." (Even somebody like Kim Kardashian is not all that great; even though more of her fat has been injected into the right places, there's nobody in the world that has not seen her, um, "product.")

Cliché 3 "United States is built politically, economically, culturally upon A continual reinvention of uses and misuses of the black body." If this is the case, I really don't understand why places like Detroit and Baltimore and Inkster (or, really almost all self-governed black cities) turn into cesspools--in spite of an abundance of black bodies!

Cliché 4: He references insane Eldridge Cleaver's "Omnipotent Administrator and Supermasculine Menial"--you know, the one who joined the Mormon church and became a Republican after a lifetime of black panther activism? That guy?

(p.49). Translated into plain English means that "you white guys are just Green With Envy because of our famed BBC" (p.59)

Cliché 5: Women base their self-image on what *other women* think to be attractive. (And that would have to be the case because I don't think any man anywhere has reported being turned on by waxed eyebrows or shoulder pads.) Men also base their self-image on what *other men* seem to notice. (A baseball bat sized todger is impressive in the locker room, but otherwise: I don't think any lady is excited at the prospect of being torn/ ruptured during a sexual encounter.)

Cliché 6: Black ladies like to imagine that all races of men are after them (p.57), and that in the antebellum South they were the hottest commodity (to explain the significant infusion of white blood into black Americans); meanwhile, the price for female black female sex workers is lower than for everyone else, and there are exactly ZERO black regions/countries that function in the way of Thailand or the Philippines-- 'cause ain't nobody going out of their way in pursuit of black trim.

Cliché 7: Freudian psychology. (All kinds of envies here--how to obvious to need a liberation.) Also, the psychiatric hack Frances Cress Welsing (p.153).

Cliché 8 (p.72): Norman Mailer's "White Negro." White guys who act like black guys (in spite of not knowing or dating any black people) in order to get White women.

Cliché 9: The "dialectic of the 'house ni**er' vs. 'field ni**er'," seemingly unaware that:

1. The largest number of interracial relationships/ progeny came after slavery;

2. Almost all of them were voluntary. (And these are facts that I've read that were written by a former slave, BT Washington. I'm going to believe him more readily than the made-for-TV movie that has been showed so many times that it has taken on a life of its own.)

Cliché 10: Everything "intersects" with something else. Too much to get into.
*******
Other WTF quotes: (p.137) "And rather than appreciate them as art, I felt culturally violated." OR (p.137) "... Around the time I was studying art and its relationship to cultural politics..."

(I wonder if he changed his personal profile status from "sexually expansive" to "100% queen, total bottom.")

*******

√√Correction #1

Since this book is also about lynching (p.18), I thought I might add that: Depending on the source, between 1882 and 1964, somewhere between 2017~3446 black people were lynched. (For those of you that were counting: that is a period of 82 years. 24.6~42.0 lynchings per year--one every 8.7~14.8 days.)

I might also add that it was over an area of about 750k sq. miles.

For the record, there were 2,570 homicides of black people killing each other just in the last YEAR, and that's just in the cases where the race of the assailant was known.

World War II lasted 2,191 days. At the rate of 6 million Jewish souls lost, that is 2,738 people PER DAY.

√√Correction #2

(p.143) No, it is not that female talent in the adult industry are kept away from black guys by their husbands or managers. It is that these women just don't particularly like black men (most white ladies don't!). I've read some autobiographies of adult actresses, and many of them say that they save interracial for somewhat later in the career because they can command an interracial fee premium. (For the record, I have also listened to interviews with black actresses and they say that 90% of the guys that they work with are white but they do not get an interracial premium.)

Some of the current big actresses are conflicted: Mia Khalifa is either 1st or 2nd ranked, and she does work with black guys, but does not allow them to go raw. (No such problem with the white coworkers.)

Abella Danger is also either 1st or 2nd ranked--and has been for a long time. She goes with guys and girls of all types, bare.

Ditto for Riley Reid.

Those three are so popular that they could turn down any amount of work that they wanted and still be working every single day.

I'm not sure why this author is worried about Some White Girl who tricked her way from Utah to California (p.151) so that she can be mounted by strangers and recorded in order to make a living when all of the best and most popular talent in the industry does work with black guys.

√√Correction #3

Since this book is about BBC, I might mention that for every Jack Napier (retired)/Mandingo/ Rico Strong that's out there working, there is another John Holmes (retired)/ Danny D/ Bruce "Two-Tone-Malone" Venture.

I'm not sure what difference it makes in any case: the sample set of female talent available to black guys is ALWAYS a subset of that available to white guys because a significant fraction of white/non-black female talent does not work with black people--but it is never true the other way around.

So, the fabled BBC is not even as well-exercised as (presumably) fewer-in-number (by the lights of this author) BWCs.

√√ Correction 4

This guy's numbers are WAY off, and by several sources:

-LPSG (a member) has sponsored a $10,000 challenge for somebody who can prove 10" with properly measured photographic evidence, and to date he challenge has not been collected.

-There are forums both on Reddit ("measured porn stars") and LPSG that deal with using image meter to measure approximate objects and then back calculate the endowment of these stars.

These things are very heavily crowdsourced, and hundreds and hundreds of people have come up with measurements that are nowhere near close to what this guy is claiming. (For the record: That is saying that Lexington Steele is 11"x7")

The author also creates a "Beyond 10" list for people who are nowhere near that: and michaels, Jack Napier, Jake Steed, Byron Long, and Justin Slayer.

√√ Correction 5

I know at least one evolutionary biologists who has "demonstrated" the connection between endowment and IQ. (JP Rushton.)

If the author really wants us to believe what was written in the journal (that the average black guy is between 6.25 and 8"), then there's somebody who will come up right behind him and say that that is fine because it corresponds to lower general cognitive ability.

Do we really want to open up that hornet's nest?

*******

Verdict: save your money.

[Wes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll give this book the benefit of the doubt because it centers on a subject very dear to me as a black man living in a world that passionately want to box black men into a type. Although the tone of the book was lighthearted for something so serious, I do feel it was palatable for those that might not be able to relate. They can learn something without being made to feel guilty. Black male fetishism has been a thing for a long time and it's shameful and degrading to black men who must deal with it even in circumstances where it shouldn't even be brought up. Black penis jokes will elicit a laugh within any group and it's cringe because we know what thoughts could be permeating the heads of those who might find themselves laughing. Furthermore, I'm just happy to see a black person with a platform taking the time to discuss this serious topic. More black men need to speak up against such tropes that reduce us to nothing more than sex crazed beasts who lead with our "large" appendages.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book, with an interesting perspective. I had very high expectations, having read Guyland right before starting this book, which I think does contribute to my mediocre feelings toward it. When talking about gender - males and females/men and women - stereotypes are arguably one of the first categories that come to mind. Understanding the importnace of the male appendage (from a sociological perspective) is therefore crucially important when exploring ideas of masculinity. In a culture where white majority rules, it's even more important to understand gender/masculinity as it applies to "Black Men in America".
Quick read, though enlightening. Worth picking up if you're looking to pursue a well rounded idea of masculinity.

[Allison Thwaites · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provocative and thought provoking. Definitely one of those books where you feel you've always known what the author is talking about, the subject matter is nothing new, but it's different to see it fleshed and mapped out the way it is. It's written well and not in an overly academic way. The pacing of it is great, the way he shifts from one topic to the next while also showing you the connections between them makes it very easy to follow. It sheds light on another facet of race in America and I think readers from other countries can see similarities in how black men are viewed and treated sexually across cultures. I'd recommend it, you might even learn something new.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole, the book only skims the surface of what is a huge topic; what does our stereotype of the black male in society really reflect and how do they choose to live up to i? Poulson-Bryant really doesn't ever get to the answer but brings up valid points throughout. Part memoir, part media discussion, part penis discussion it's a valuable read. His direct and honest approach is refreshing, but there's more to be analyzed and this book can only be a jumping off point. If in his measure, he's just average!

[Katrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

The overall concept of the book was good and he explored relatively interesting topics, myths and assumptions abt blk men. However, the certain language became redundant and after a while I found myself speed reading with the hope to find something more interesting. He raised some insightful points and I liked that he was able to incorporate history into the content of his message (major plus for me). Def has interesting topics that will make for great group discussion.

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gets better a few chapters in, although it is still a little uneven. He's working with some real subject matter, and I think sometimes his writing style just isn't enough for the task. Nonetheless, worth the read.

[Gregory Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite insightful on the myth and it definitely spoke to me. A must-read for for bruthas and Afrophiles. ;-}

[Matthew Lutkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recommended by my professor in lieu of my thesis studying bodies and bodily capital and athletes. Perplexing concept, still a contemporary [masculine] myth, and relevant to racialized gender norms. However, this book is barely predicated on data and fails, in my opinion, to substantiate a central point. I personally didn’t love the plethora of personal anecdotes, not that they were vulgar, but they were downright unhelpful and didn’t add anything to the book.

[Liam Ostermann]

Why did I buy this? cause it was £1 in a charity shop. Should I read it? Should I be embarrassed by it? Will I ever read this? It is still on shelves in 2025 and I still haven't read it but I don't think I will. If it is, as I suspect, a load of twaddle surely saying so will only attract snide comments?

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gets 2.5 stars.

In short the author has teased out an interesting idea which explores how a black man's sexuality is categorized in American society.

But that is all it is an interesting idea instead it felt more like the bigger the penis the more success you have as a man. I am not a man so maybe this is true.

Anyway the idea was interesting but there was not enough there to make me believe it. There are some valid points in the book and I do not want to belittle that however I think some additional research or perhaps better defines points of view would have gone along way.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must say the the title really caught my attention when I saw this book in the bookstore. I found the premise of the book to be really interesting, and as a black man I felt that I could relate on a number of different levels. While to book starts out strong, it becomes a didactic after a while, as the writing isn't as strong as it should be and as the stories seems to meander as oppose to have a true focus and direction. If nothing else, I think this book incites us to think and begin the dialogue on topics that are often taboo within our community.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty entertaining discussion of the obsession with Black men's property, if you know what I mean, and you do know what I mean.

Written by a fat Black guy with a small wang, it is a good book on the obsession and the unnecessary pressure it puts on Black men. Not necessarily a funny/humorous book, but more of a pretty decent social critique.

If you like Black men and/or weiners, or both, you should read this. It's pretty entertaining.

[André Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the book and its analysis the first time I read it about five or six years ago. I just finished reading it again. I still like Hung - I even highlighted some points SPB made, but because I've read more on topics similar to this that do a better job of going deeper and painting a fuller less subjective picture, I downgraded my rating from four to three stars. I think it's a great sort of 101 read for this type of analysis of race and sexuality from the perspective of a Black man.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is actually a really interesting look at how Black men are defined by, revered for and feared because of their mythical penis size. It looks at our historical views of Black men and how they are still effected by them. This book made me think, and it was well written.

[Ron Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked the premise, a cultural history of the black penis, but overall it just felt like a magazine article stretched out into a book. There just wasn't enough to talk about. I gave up when he started rambling about movie stars.

[Nicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a good book at all.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting...

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating topic even if it's the issue is actually part of something that the author is struggling with: his sexuality and racial identity. Oh, and he hates him some Mapplethorpe!

[Ray Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discussed in details the stereotype about African American endowment

[Coco · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok, but timing of the storyline seemed a little off or something.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY interesting, and clears up a lot of questions.