Gay is the new black, or so many in the gay rights movement would have you believe. LZ Granderson, an openly gay writer for ESPN, does not buy that rather flip rhetoric and provides us with a well written explanation of why he disagrees.One of the more salient points he raises is the makeup of the gay rights movement being rather devoid of people of color. It is indeed disingenuous to stand on the shoulders of people of color in order to elevate your cause while conveniently ignoring them in everyday life.
Where is the concern for black gays, who I would argue, suffer far greater exclusion and pressure than their white counterparts. Are those in the gay rights movement so enamored with linking their plight to that of the black community truly concerned with the black community at large?
As Granderson argues rather eloquently, the segregation within the gay community is reminiscent of Antebellum times. Frankly the insinuation that gay rights are equal to civil rights does nothing to advance the cause of gay rights as it comes off as a cheap publicity grab designed to gain equality within society while the community itself, in this case the gay community, is quite segregated and not likely to rapidly change.
A more constructive dialogue should be held on how to better integrate the gay community at large instead of using the plight of previous generations of African Americans to gain rights it seems the white majority of gays are not exactly eager to extend to their fellow African American gay brothers and sisters. It would be fruitful if this controversy around Prop 8 would be used to open a dialogue between African American Gays and Lesbians and their white counterparts. Because their destiny, just like that of White Americans and African Americans, is inextricably linked.
Many other groups and cultures LOVE using black issues and culture as a spring board for their own agendas, however they are nowhere to be found when there is an issue concerning us such as police beatings or unlawful imprisonment or any issue in general that happens way too often. All I see are black people getting upset and protesting or rallying when this occurs. However when it is some other cause that relates to some other group, I see blacks AND whoever the issue relates as well.
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