The web not too long ago started buzzing a few new social media development that took off amongst Black males.
Centered on highlighting and selling a “soft” way of life, the movies present Black males merely going about their day-to-day routine—and there are fairly a number of examples floating round!
The Trend Takes Off On TikTok
Uploads that adopted the development confirmed males partaking in soothing actions, like caring for houseplants, ingesting tea, or simply chillin’.
@ajtaughtyou what self-care seemed like at this time 🧘🏽♂️ the delicate lifetime of a black man. #softlife #blackmen #cleantok #cleaningtiktok #healthyliving #booktok #plantdad #xyzbca #fyp #foryourpage #dailyroutine #dayinmylife
@ajtaughtyou the delicate lifetime of a black man 🧘🏽♂️ simply hold going 🌿 #fyp #softlife #blackmen #healthyhabits #dailyroutine #xyzbca #dayinmylife #vlogger #dailyvlog
@shapiro_villa Soft Boy Era #softboy #softboyaesthetic #softboyaesthetic #blackboy #softblackboy #softblackman #performer #tinyhome #dc
Working out and having hobbies like bowling and podcasting had been included, too.
@joelabban At my finest after I’m in my factor
@ajtaughtyou the delicate 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 exhibiting what “dinner with a soft Black man” seems like.
@nicenonss Choosing the trail of much less stress and least resistance. #mentalhealth #foryou #asmr #cookingtok
@nicenonss Hope everybody has a tremendous week #Foryou
@nicenonss “Soft” “Soft life” – Originated within the Nigerian neighborhood as a slang for residing a lifetime of consolation and low stress. #tjmaxx #foryou #mentalhealth
All in all, most movies of the development had been fairly simple and targeted on calling consideration to the “soft” life.
@ajtaughtyou the delicate 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? Anyways, I select to dwell a delicate life lol #softlife #homosexual #viral
@ajtaughtyou the delicate lifetime of a black man 🧘🏽♂️ fellas, the delicate life isn’t only for ladies. it’s for you too! deal with your self. no should be arduous, or guarded, or getting wrapped in “grind culture.” decelerate and deal with your self.🌿 #fyp #apartmenttherapy #cleaningtiktok #softlife #dayinthelife #cleaninghacks #vlogger #dailyroutine #plantdad
Viewers Have Mixed Reactions
As the development continued to take off, individuals started chiming in on different platforms like Twitter.
Many critics discovered the movies to be fairly mundane, as they had been targeted on exhibiting “an adult doing things 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 delicate life lol
— City Wolf (@blackviking80) January 1, 2023
It was even alleged that there was “something sinister about [TikTok] turning every basic action into a life aesthetic or personality trait.”
Not attempting to be dramatic right here, however there’s one thing sinister about Tik Tok turning each fundamental motion right into a life aesthetic or persona trait lmao https://t.co/Yp7nNWYI2n
— masc potatoes (@CertifiedFool_) January 1, 2023
However, others thought the development was “cute” and easily seemed like “peace, happiness, and success.”
Looks like peace, happiness, and success.
Sign me up.— Josh 😈 (@Revuhnant) January 1, 2023
I believe it’s cute lmao pic.twitter.com/oSIgwpEwGk
— ᴅɪᴀʀʏ ᴏғ 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓙𝓸𝓻 (@xoshanjor) December 31, 2022
Overall, supporters thought the backlash was unusual, because the “soft life” development 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 development is “inherently racist” at its core, because it applauds Black males for “doing the bare minimum” with adulting.
@ziahman junk so lame bro. #fyp #softblackman #effeminizationoftheblackmale
Users additionally referred to as for “a particular brand of bullying” to be introduced again. Similarly, others implored individuals to depart the development in 2022, as “we used to build and hunt.”
Nah for actual. Because what the hell is happening round right here?
— Bake The Flake (@ShakeNBake_3) January 1, 2023
Being an grownup with obligations and a canine is delicate life 🤨
Bring 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 “soft life as a Black man” development, and what do you concentrate on the criticism in opposition to it?