The trend of ‘Living peacefully like black people’ polarizes viewers on social networks
Recently, the internet started buzzing about a new social networking trend that is starting to spread among Black men.
Focusing on highlighting and promoting a “lightweight” lifestyle, the videos show Black men simply going about their day-to-day tasks — and there are plenty of examples floating around. !
Trending starts on TikTok
Trending uploads show men engaging in light activities, such as tending to houseplants, drinking tea or just relaxing.
@ajtaughtyou What does self-care look like today 🧘🏽♂️ the light life of a black man. #softlife #blackmen #cleantok #cleaningtiktok #healthy Living #booktok #plantdad #xyzbca #fyp #foryourpage #dailyroutine #dayinmylife
♬ Too Much – Drake
@ajtaughtyou the light life of black people ♂️ 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
Exercise and hobbies like bowling and podcasting are also included.
@joelabban My best when I’m in my element
♬ Crew Love – Drake
@ajtaughtyou the light life of a black man 🧘🏽♂️ spends the day with me. #fyp #fup #softlife #dayinmylife #vlogger #spendthedaywithme #dailyvlog #blackmen #xyzbca #greenscreen #healthyroutine
♬ Watch Leray DJ Saige Mashup – Saige
Some of the contributions by a user named @nicenonns focus on showing what a “dinner with a gentle black man” looks like.
@nicenonss Choose the path of least stress and least resistance. #mental health #for you #asmr #cookingtok
♬ Emotional Mood – Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
@nicenonss Hope everyone has a great week #Foryou
♬ I will wait and pray – John Coltrane
@nicenonss “Soft” “Soft life” – Originated from the Nigerian community as a slang term for a comfortable and low-stress life. #tjmaxx #for you #mental health
♬ Amore mio aiutami – Main theme – Piero Piccioni
In general, most of the videos about this trend are quite simple and focus on drawing attention to the “light” life.
@ajtaughtyou the light life of a black man ☕️ in the morning there is nothing like coffee and a good book. #fyp #xyzbca #dayinmylife #softlife #blackmen #vlogger #booklover #morningroutine #healthyhabits #foryourpage #2023 #dailyvlog
♬ Speed IN THE AIR – cloudz/Solar🧚🏾♀️☁️🏎
@channdaily Reposting because TikTok put a warning label on this video even though I really didn’t do anything dangerous lol? Anyway, I choose to live a light life lol #softlife #gay #viral
♬ original sound – ChannDaily ️🌈
@ajtaughtyou light life of a black person 🧘🏽♂️ guys, light life is not just for women. it’s for you too! take care of yourself. there’s no need to be tough, or wary, or get caught up in the “culture of honing”. slow down and take care of yourself.🌿 #fyp #apartmenttherapy #cleaningtiktok #softlife #dayinthelife #cleaninghacks #vlogger #dailyroutine #plantdad
♬ Lil Uzi Vert SHELLS MIX JUNE – JUNE! (fka Shawn May)
Viewers have mixed reactions
As the trend continued to grow, people started to engage with other platforms like Twitter.
Many critics consider the videos mediocre because they focus on showing “an adult doing what adults do”.
All I see is an adult doing what adults do.
– Dantley Davis (@dantley) January 1, 2023
💯 exactly.. niggas have to clean the crib and call it a light life lol
– City Wolf (@blackviking80) January 1, 2023
It was even alleged that there was “something sinister about [TikTok] turns every basic act into a life aesthetic or personality.”
Not trying to be dramatic here, but there’s something sinister about Tik Tok turning every basic act into a life aesthetic or lmao personality https://t.co/Yp7nNWYI2n
— potato masc (@CertifiedFool_) January 1, 2023
However, others see this trend as “cute” and simply like “peace, happiness and success”.
Looks like peace, happiness and success.
Sign me up.— Josh (@Revuhnant) January 1, 2023
I think it’s cute lmao pic.twitter.com/oSIgwpEwGk
— (@xoshanjor) December 31, 2022
In general, advocates say the backlash is strange, since the “light life” trend is meant to promote relaxation.
I am confused . This seems like a chilled ass day. Why the backlash?
– Mike Berbick (@BankonBerb) January 1, 2023
On the other end of the spectrum, it is claimed that the core of the general trend is “inherently racist,” as it applauds Black men for “doing the bare minimum” with adulthood.
@ziahman Trash bro. #fyp #softblackman #effeminizationoftheblacknam
♬ original audio – siah
Users also called for the reintroduction of “a specific brand of bullying”. Similarly, others urged people to leave the trend by 2022, as “we used to build and hunt”.
Unreal. What the hell is going on around here?
– Grilled flakes (@ShakeNBake_3) January 1, 2023
Being an adult with responsibility and a dog is light life
Bring back bullying 😂
– El Tejano (@shotbydez) January 1, 2023
@livelargebitch SOFT LIFE MAN BLACK 😂😂😂 WE BRING THE BEST BLOOD #fyp #softlife #trending #2023 #blacktiktok
♬ NOPE SO SUPA – SO SUPA ️🥷
You’re here for the “light life as a black” trend and what do you think of the criticisms against it?
