The web just lately started buzzing a couple of new social media pattern that took off amongst Black males.
Centered on highlighting and selling a “mushy” life-style, the movies present Black males merely going about their day-to-day routine—and there are fairly a number of examples floating round!
The Development Takes Off On TikTok
Uploads that adopted the pattern confirmed males participating in soothing actions, like caring for houseplants, consuming tea, or simply chillin’.
@ajtaughtyou what self-care regarded like right now 🧘🏽♂️ the mushy lifetime of a black man. #softlife #blackmen #cleantok #cleaningtiktok #healthyliving #booktok #plantdad #xyzbca #fyp #foryourpage #dailyroutine #dayinmylife
@ajtaughtyou the mushy lifetime of a black man 🧘🏽♂️ simply maintain going 🌿 #fyp #softlife #blackmen #healthyhabits #dailyroutine #xyzbca #dayinmylife #vlogger #dailyvlog
@shapiro_villa Mushy Boy Period #softboy #softboyaesthetic #softboyaesthetic #blackboy #softblackboy #softblackman #performer #tinyhome #dc
Understanding and having hobbies like bowling and podcasting had been included, too.
@joelabban At my finest after I’m in my component
@ajtaughtyou the mushy lifetime of a black man 🧘🏽♂️ spend the day with me. #fyp #fup #softlife #dayinmylife #vlogger #spendthedaywithme #dailyvlog #blackmen #xyzbca #greenscreen #healthyroutine
Some contributions made by a consumer going by @nicenonns are targeted on displaying what “dinner with a mushy Black man” appears like.
@nicenonss Selecting the trail of much less stress and least resistance. #mentalhealth #foryou #asmr #cookingtok
@nicenonss Hope everybody has a tremendous week #Foryou
@nicenonss “Mushy” “Mushy life” – Originated within the Nigerian group as a slang for residing a lifetime of consolation and low stress. #tjmaxx #foryou #mentalhealth
All in all, most movies of the pattern had been fairly simple and targeted on calling consideration to the “mushy” life.
@ajtaughtyou the mushy lifetime of a black man ☕️ what’s a morning routine with out espresso and guide. #fyp #xyzbca #dayinmylife #softlife #blackmen #vlogger #booklover #morningroutine #healthyhabits #foryourpage #2023 #dailyvlog
@channdaily Reposting as a result of TikTok put a warning label on this video regardless that I’m actually not doing something harmful lol? Anyhow, I select to reside a mushy life lol #softlife #homosexual #viral
@ajtaughtyou the mushy lifetime of a black man 🧘🏽♂️ fellas, the mushy life isn’t only for ladies. it’s for you too! maintain your self. no must be arduous, or guarded, or getting wrapped in “grind tradition.” decelerate and maintain your self.🌿 #fyp #apartmenttherapy #cleaningtiktok #softlife #dayinthelife #cleaninghacks #vlogger #dailyroutine #plantdad
Viewers Have Combined Reactions
Because the pattern continued to take off, folks started chiming in on different platforms like Twitter.
Many critics discovered the movies to be fairly mundane, as they had been targeted on displaying “an grownup doing issues that adults do.”
All I see is an grownup doing issues that adults do.
— Dantley Davis (@dantley) January 1, 2023
💯 precisely.. niggas gotta clear crib and calling it mushy life lol
— Metropolis Wolf (@blackviking80) January 1, 2023
It was even alleged that there was “one thing sinister about [TikTok] turning each fundamental motion right into a life aesthetic or character trait.”
Not making an attempt to be dramatic right here, however there’s one thing sinister about Tik Tok turning each fundamental motion right into a life aesthetic or character trait lmao https://t.co/Yp7nNWYI2n
— masc potatoes (@CertifiedFool_) January 1, 2023
Nonetheless, others thought the pattern was “cute” and easily regarded like “peace, happiness, and success.”
Appears like peace, happiness, and success.
Signal me up.— Josh 😈 (@Revuhnant) January 1, 2023
I feel it’s cute lmao pic.twitter.com/oSIgwpEwGk
— ᴅɪᴀʀʏ ᴏғ 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓙𝓸𝓻 (@xoshanjor) December 31, 2022
General, supporters thought the backlash was unusual, because the “mushy life” pattern was all about selling chillness.
I’m confused . This look like a calming ass day . Why the backlash ? 🙁
— Mike Berbick (@BankonBerb) January 1, 2023
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, it was asserted that the general pattern is “inherently racist” at its core, because it applauds Black males for “doing the naked minimal” with adulting.
@ziahman junk so lame bro. #fyp #softblackman #effeminizationoftheblackmale
Customers additionally referred to as for “a selected model of bullying” to be introduced again. Equally, others implored folks to depart the pattern in 2022, as “we used to construct and hunt.”
Nah for actual. As a result of what the hell is occurring round right here?
— Bake The Flake (@ShakeNBake_3) January 1, 2023
Being an grownup with duties and a canine is mushy life 🤨
Carry bullying again 😂
— El Tejano (@shotbydez) January 1, 2023
@livelargebitch SOFT LIFE BLACK MAN 😂😂😂 WE CARRY THE STRONGEST BLOODLINE #fyp #softlife #trending #2023 #blacktiktok
Are you right here for the “mushy life as a Black man” pattern, and what do you consider the criticism in opposition to it?
