A few years back, I was told of the existence of racism in the mainstream white LGBTQ community by LGBTQ people of color, some of whom were pretty angry about what they had to go through. As a white lesbian, I was shocked out of my naiveness. I ran through all the usual gamut of feeling defensive, being in denial and experiencing the notorious white guilt ;) This decentering exercise, however, has proven to be very enriching.

Now, there are a few things I learned from LGBTQ and heterosexual POC and to which I now adhere:

1- POC are not responsible for our anti-racist education. They/you should not have to hold us whites by the hand or nudge us into getting informed. We should take some initiative, read books and go listen to what POC have to say about racism and anti-racism.
As a general principle, I consider that oppressed groups should not be held responsible for anti-oppression education. Sure, there is the initial drive that must be done by the oppressed group, but once it’s out there, members of dominant should take the hint and some initiative.

2- When POC level general critiques at white people, we should not get offended. We should understand, first off, that there is good reason for venting at white people because of the series of bad experiences that they had to go through. Also, if we are indeed anti-racist, we should not take it personally. The critiques do not regard us, they regard white people who are not anti-racist (a pretty good bunch of us, naturally). And then, there is the oppression system and the privileges. Even if we are not “actively” racist, as members of the dominant group, we are responsible for calling out people of our group who fail.

Now, the thing gets complicated when you look at the interplay of oppression systems. How do we place responsibility then?

Regarding item 1, why is it that in the prop 8 case, educating straight people, and more precisely, Blacks and Latinos and other POC heterosexuals who voted for revoking same-sex marriage, becomes white LGBTQ people’s responsibility?

Regarding item 2, why is it that in the prop 8 situation, white LGBTQ people should not make general critiques of Black homophobia, “because not all Blacks are homophobic”? Why is it that, in this situation, all Blacks should “take it personally”? Regarding the calling out on ingroup homophobia, I would not point to any problem, because I do see Black people doing inside work against homophobia.

I guess something that complicates the situation is that lots of LGBTQ white folks act all outraged, but did not do much themselves against racism in the past – except occasional lip service. Also, I am under the impression that lots of white LGBTQ people only see themselves as oppressed LGBTQ and not dominant whites. And lots of heterosexual Blacks only see themselves as oppressed Blacks and not as dominant heterosexuals. Yay for power complications :/

I am aware I could have added some more points and nuances. But do not want to get into a full blown unending essay ;) I am trying to think here… I guess I addressed the main points with which I struggle. Thanks for your thoughts, by the way!

And then, suddenly, I don’t need to do that any more . Because people are all over are now saying it.

It’s victory. That’s what victory looks like.

Comparison?

(Unless of course, you want to boycott companies that supported Prop 8. For a list, see this link:
http://www.californiansagainsthate.com/dishonorRoll.html )

I have been thoroughly worn down by the insults, the scape-goating and the name-calling that has resulted against Black people as a result of the passage of Prop. 8. I truly hated the legislation and did not support it. But because I was black, there were some who did not believe me.

I mentioned repeatedly in many circles on-line and off that I felt it was a travesty and a shame that there are people who are close-minded enough to vote for this piece of crap. But one thing in the criticism about Prop. 8’s passage would come through in a lot of the responses: how dare the Black community vote for something that would deny the civil rights of another community when they are supposed to understand what “discrimination” is like.

Two weeks have passed and the anger (although dying down) is still being carried on. This still occurs despite proof that the numbers were skewed in poll carried in the major news outlets. Not even the organizations denouncing the scape-goating won’t stop the continous meme of the “Black people being responsible for passing Prop. 8″.

Some persons have apologized, which is good. But others continue to spread prejudice against Black people and have gotten away with it because the word of “bigotry” is thrown up the African-American community’s faces. Not only that. Some in the dominant culture takes a “what’s good for the goose, is good for the gander” way of treating this issue–especially when it comes down to the terminology of “bigotry” (yet these are the first who would proclaim that “they aren’t racist”).

Above all else, the GLBTQ folks of color deserve a hug in this travesty. They are caught in the middle of this mess, which is terribly heart-breaking.

The good part though about this is that the outreach between the GLBTQ and Black communities will now start. It is there, perhaps the understanding will grow so more people will understand why Prop. 8 is a bad deal.

Again, I appreciate your words. They need to be repeated loud and clear every time someone brings up that horrible CNN poll. :(

I find myself really frustrated by all the mainstream and pre-filtered voices who “represent” me as a gay man.

I’m embarrassed and angry about how some “leaders” are handing out blame without really analyzing where the whole “no on 8″ movement went wrong.

I’m pissed that, being outside the “leadership” of the GLBTQ community, I can’t seem to get my voice beyond the gatekeepers (editorials, op-ed pieces, etc…) when I try to share WHY we failed to keep same-gender marriage rights in California.

But I think that with BLOGS like yours, and mine, we’re shifting the center of gravity away from traditional media, away from the traditional leadership of our communities, and expanding true dialog among people.

It’s just possible that with the internet’s community of bloggers and blog readers, we’re building on what the Obama campaign did so brilliantly – using technology as a tool in our outreach, to discuss and share and illuminate our issues in a way that gets through to people, and ultimately changes things on the ground.

Thanks for having such an important discussion here, and leading the discussion for the change we need to make happen.

Like President-Elect Obama (I LOVE writing that) said the night he was elected, it’s time to put our hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

Let’s keep bending it!

thanks,
Lee

if blacks comprise *only* 10% of the population, it highlights blacks insignificance to votes that require broad-based support.

if 30% didn’t vote for prop 8, that’s about 3% of the population.

In those terms, you’ve basically convinced white queers that black queers and their allies aren’t a big enough group to matter in terms of turning things around. well, you haven’t convinced them, but it would certainly give them a thought injection or two: “oh, hey, they’re such a tiny minority who cares what they think.”

but i wish that people would be clear headed , look at that horrible man who plays “suzy Q liquor” he spends his time in black face presenting unfavourable stereotypes of black women while wearing a fatsuit, not at all respectful. now he has the bloody gaul to turn around and tell the black community (whom i am guessing he does not know) that they are to be ashamed of their behaviour! highly ignorant.

Since when have progressive movements such as this counted on anyone to just show up? To just understand what is right and what is not? To somehow magically change their preconceived notions?

Never.

Of course there will always be people who look at these issues and understand how wrong it is to deny anyone the right to marry just as many people understood how wrong it was to deny black people civil rights. But every issue is not obvious or clear cut for everyone. And some people never will come around to our way of thinking. But there are a lot of people who WILL.

To get those people on our side? Requires work. Why do you think people campaign? Discussion, convincing, activism, and making people aware is part of any and every campaign no matter what side you’re on. They always have been. So this notion you have that no one should need convincing because you didn’t about ONE issue? Is dumb. Sorry to say so, but it just is.

And I’m not just talking about black people or just about POC. There are plenty of white people that need convincing as well. And if you or anyone thinks that they don’t have to work hard to convince a majority of people that your stance is Right, then the vote on election day has taught you nothing.