I have been noticing a disturbing trend on and offline-the innappropriate and inaccurate usage of the term "metrosexual." This Madison avenue invention has slowly become a pseudonym for gayness just by virtue of any man that has a concern for his appearance or has a fashion sense. I remember during the 80s through the early 90s, having a precision haircut and proper attire was just an expected custom and not something that was read into or misperceived. The funny thing is.....that many of our earliest and most respected entertainers would probably be classified as metro. Case in point, Duke Ellington. Ellington, America's premier composer was equally known for his musical prowess as he was for being dapper. I remember reading an article in which the writer described his first meeting with the Duke. He stated that it took place a few hours before his show and Ellington looked like a shadow of himself, somewhat haggard in appearance. The writer noted that in Duke's dressing room he had hundreds of bottles, conditioners and emollients.
After a quick cleansing regimen and sprucing up, Duke looked like brand new money. Paying attention to grooming details used to be a mainstay in the African-American community. The picture below Ellington's, famed music mogul(and former frontman of the legendary rap group, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)Andre Harrell(right) was retrieved from the infamous ghettocentric blog, Crunk and Disorderly. Crunk's owner and commentator, "Fresh" regularly lampoons metrosexual men and even went as far as stating that she has refrained from dating such men. Maybe she is doing these brothers a favor. I learned to be a clotheshorse from my father and I will continue to uphold the tradition. Hopefully, women will buck the desire for thug attire in their prospective dates and scrutinize men beyond how well they dress. One can only hope.
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