Wait. Before you form your ideas based on the title and pictures of this post, we should examine the facts. Its here. In America. Homosexuality. In the African-American community. Deal with it. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we should explore American homosexuality in relation to the black community. What are we so afraid of? Yes, we all have our personal believes and no one is trying to dissuade you from your convictions of right or wrong (or am I?) but we must acknowledge the presence of this stigma in order to begin working through and accepting the diversity of the Black American community.
I think we can start with everyone's favorite sub-topic of Black homosexuality: "down-low brothers". This vernacular term can be defined as black men who portray heterosexuality in public but in private he acts on his true sexuality without the knowledge of his friends, family, girlfriend, and/or wife. When we examine this topic, does anyone initially think of the "brother's" infidelity to his significant other or the secrets he keeps from his loved ones? No. We think of the fact that he is gay and ashamed and we think its wrong for whatever reasons. There are plenty of openly homosexual men and women in America who live happy "normal" lives. So why is he ashamed? Why are WE ashamed?
I think we can begin with the religious and spiritual beliefs of the African American community. And not just Southern Baptist Christian! but other belief systems too. I'm going to go out on a limb and make a large assumption and identify African-Americans as having some kind of strong religious belief system or background, whatever it maybe. From these beliefs systems, we MAY have been taught that the homosexual way of life is an abomination or whatever hard core word you would like to use there. But what gives anyone one the position to judge the righteousness of others?
We have to remember that there is diversity in the Black American community. Not just light skin/ dark skin, not just "hood" or proper, not just rich or poor, but their is also gay and straight. And just like we acknowledge the juxtaposition of other topics, we must acknowledge and accept this as well. What are we afraid of? Why are we ashamed? What can we as a community do to improve?
5 comments:
Leviticus also says cut off your hand if it offends...gauge out your eyes if they offend you...stone your son to death if he doesnt have a job...blah blah blah. People pick in chose want they want to here from the Bible...Everything needs to be read and understood in context.
Hum that being said I've always wondered why most African-American males are homophobic. And why is there a need to say "no-homo" after the simplest statments, such as "Hey that's a nice shirt...no homo?"
wow...
where do I start?! I can go on and on about this topic, but I will keep it short. First off this is a great blog, my personal favorite. Homosexuality isn't anything to be afraid or ashamed of. We are people just like the next; we lay in a bed at night, shower, brush our teeth just like everyone else. What baffles me is what does who I love have anything to do with you or the next person? That's such a serious question. Homosexuality is here to stay so we all as a community should accept it and move on.
-dai
<3
Great article!! I know its an double standard but, lesbian women are more accepted than gay men!! I am perfectly ok with seeing two women kiss...but I would throw up if I saw 2 men kiss(Cliche, I know LOL). Even with all that said I respect anyones sexual preference, but I prefer lesbian women any day!!! :-)
From what i observed by a young african american male is that we almost treat gay people or the gay lifestyle has bad as other people treated black people back in the day. Which is crazy to me because we should have some humility and be able to know what it feels like to be not be socially accepted. All in all being black is hard and being black and homosexual is even harder but in the end we need to see gay people as people. Who are we to judge if its disgusting or not disgusting, or if its godly or not. I know for sure we are not the ones deciding if they goin to heaven or not.
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