'Nothing but a Man' Begins the 'Black Struggle Love' Epidemic

Nothing But a Man film poster.

Nothing But a Man is considered a classic masterpiece about living during the civil rights era and has since been inducted into the Library Film Congress. It also happens to be probably one of the earliest depictions of Black Struggle Love-- the premise of lovers staying together despite great obstacles, usually the Black woman staying by the side of a down on his luck Black man.

Furthermore, "Struggle Love" is the idea that Black women must lower their standards for men and settle for relationships that do not benefit them and in fact, harm them and hold them back in life.

The problematic trope is rendered through the white lens of director Michael Roemer who co-wrote the screenplay with Robert M. Young.

Duff Anderson (Ivan Dixon) with the other bachelors working the railroad and sharing a dorm.

Duff Anderson is a hardworking Black man on the railroad squad of single men, always smiling, charming. In Birmingham, Alabama, he pursues Josie Dawson, a preacher's daughter and schoolteacher with intentions not at all honorable-- asking right after their first outing if she wants to hit the hay because he isn't interested in marriage. Eventually, he marries her despite the protest of her overbearing parents.

A smitten Duff (Ivan Dixon) on a first outing with Josie (Abbey Lincoln).

The date is ruined when white men surround Duff's car and threaten violence on Josie. She is nonchalant and he tries not to become irate.

Life is sweet and blissful for the couple (pie feeding, boxing matches whilst taking down laundry) until Duff gets fired, outed as a "Trouble Man." Due to the label that has spread across town, Duff has challenges acquiring another job. Duff and Josie continue to be positive through the storm even though Duff's patience is slowly wearing thin. After all, Josie still has a job teaching and back then, it hurt a man to not be able to provide for his household. Racial politics are a huge barrier for Duff to break through, new shackles with no possible key to freedom. Instead of civilly discussing the mental and emotional anguish fueled by the age old white male emasculation of the Black body, Duff abuses Josie, yelling at her, viciously striking her.

"I never should have married you," Duff says, looking at Josie's fallen form, lying helplessly on the ground.

This illustrates the harm that comes with "struggle love" relationships-- physical, emotional, psychological turmoil that one partner inflicts on the other, the "weaker" of the two. Duff and Josie's marriage opens up the deep resentment he feels about her sheltered upbringing. Her having a father figure too is especially paramount. She grew up surrounded and protected by love. Whereas he grew up in a harsher reality, going as far as abandoning his own son (and at one point claiming the son wasn't his) like his own absent father.

An earlier scene where a Black neighbor (Duff's former co-worker) is loudly ostracized by his wife ironically presents that the opposite will happen between Duff and Josie.

Before the marital bliss comes amiss.

Now Josie is a resilient, compassionate, free spirit. She cares about her students and stands up to her parents. Under the heavy weight of Duff, however, she loses an earlier independence, carrying the load and remaining an optimistic and loyal wife. When he walks out, leaving her to find himself, she is devastated, further oppressed by the man she loves. Duff is not willing to work together because to work together means more lashing out at Josie. He cannot tolerate Josie's unbending devotion and she cannot understand his frosty distance. Moreover, Josie withstanding Duff's treatment is such detestable hogwash. She has had a privileged life including the love of two parents, but should not be punished because Duff cannot function in the white man's society. They should brave these obstacles together-- they are a partnership, a union. Many Black men and women even now continue to face great strife. It doesn't mean that Black love takes a backseat. Along with the racial tension, Duff has to confront his past: his absentee father and his son, in other words unpack his baggage and break the cycle. And he makes this journey without Josie. She could do much better, but waits for her love to return.

Meanwhile, Duff's alcoholic father abuses his girlfriend immensely, revealing that though Duff and his father are merely strangers, a certain ugly pattern is ingrained in their DNA.

Josie (Abbey Lincoln) is happy with Duff for a time.

Despite the heartbreaking screenplay and the noticeable lack of dark skinned Black women (most speaking women characters are either light or fair skinned with ambiguous features), the charismatic Ivan Dixon leads as Duff. He is able to channel a charming, good-natured presence and sweep into the undertow of the specific depression that only racism can trigger. Abbey Lincoln manages to shine as a character that slightly resembles the bamboozled Ivy in For the Love of Ivy. Earlier moments with Duff show an eager woman ready for romance, moments in the classroom show a tender, motivational teacher, and moments with her parents show a defiant women ready to burst from their shadow.

Duff comes home.

Nothing But a Man's depiction of Black love may not be all strawberries and roses, revealing that love can mean being pushed hard with words and hands-- Black Struggle Love personified-- in between the gritty "stand by your man" logistics is a small triumph.