THE DIVIDE:
If you don’t pay attention to public policy, politics, and our ever changing culture, you could find yourself in a world of confusion. Most importantly, you have to know where you stand. There has always been conflict in the Black community because there has always been different types of Black people: The Black people that are simply trying to make it, and the Black people that think they are better than other Black people because their speech, hair, job/career, education, and dwelling spaces are different.
HERE IS WHERE THINGS GET TRICKY:
In 2019, Black people are multifaceted. We are holier than thou, atheist, straight, gay, bisexual, transgender, trans women, and trans men. We still have those who have elevated in their careers and some who are just flat out rich and think they can’t relate to the issues in society that many of us face. With so many different types of Black people existing in the world, how do we relate?
HOTEPS:
I’ve talked to Hoteps near and far and they all seem to have the same thoughts: Black women are a problem, you can’t be a part of Black solidarity if you are gay, and being gay comes from “the White man” because there is no evidence that same sex orientation existed in Africa. YOU CANNOT BE PRO BLACK AND BE ANTI BLACK WOMEN! Black women are the only group of people that continuously support Black men regardless of whether or not they support Black women. How are you representing peace if you’re constantly speaking negatively about a group of people? Ultimately they are still your people!
BLACKNESS COMES FIRST:
To those in the LGBTQ community, have you ever wondered why there are 2 different Gay pride events- specifically in Michigan? It’s because regardless of what commonalities you have with White people, you are still Black! Know that there would be no such thing as “Gay Rights” if there were no White people who are gay, trans, etc. Your Blackness is what comes first. It seems the community is so sensitive about what people say or don’t say regarding sexuality and identity that everyone is on eggshells. You definitely have thicker skin than you’re allowing people to believe though, because Black people HAVE to have thick skin. No one has to like or agree with your sexuality or what you identify as, but it also does not mean that they hate you or don’t like you as a person. All people have to do is respect you as a human.
There has been huge conversations around transgender women in women’s sports. In all fairness a transgender woman (still has a penis) does not belong in women’s sports. Genetically men are more muscular than women. If your daughter was on a college women’s wrestling team, would you want her wrestling with a transgender woman, knowing she has the strength of a man because physically (anatomy)she is a man? That statement or someone actually ruling that a transgender woman would have to play for the men’s team isn’t being discriminatory, it’s just not allowing that person to play on the women’s team. Just think about that scenario with logic rather than emotion.
PULLING IT ALTOGETHER:
The city of New York just passed a law that people of African decent can’t be discriminated against for employment due to wearing our hair in natural styles. This includes but is not limited to braids, locs, twists, etc. That law being passed in one city means we collectively have a long way to go! We must all accept and acknowledge each other respectfully! It’s okay not to agree with every aspect of someone’s life. However, we must be a united front in politics, in public, and in the media.
So, recognize that collectively we are smarter, stronger, and better than just one of us.