Someone is sitting back thinking, ‘Not again. Muata is bringing up homosexuality…again. Why? What is he hiding from us?’ Yes, I know this is a possible thought which in many ways solidifies my opinion:
Black people would rather irresponsibly accuse to deflect the real issues pertaining to homosexuality and avoid in an effort to cover up what is pervasive within our community.
We do the same with child molestation, unhealthiness (obesity), and sexual intercourse. We remain silent on these issues – but are glad to discuss The Real Housewives of Atlanta and the BET Hip Hop Awards Show. So ridiculously backwards and out of touch with what’s critical!
These discussions are paramount. They are needed without senseless emotion, Christian zealously and without taking sides. However, taking sides can spark new thoughts. Form new ideas and new opinions. Therefore, here is my taking a side position on the flamboyance of Morehouse’s most recent news making homosexuality saga.
The homosexual community has for years tried to no avail force their lifestyle onto/into a heterosexual nation. They have relentlessly attempted to be understood and accepted. Not that I like comparing the two – but the Black Experience in the United States is somewhat similar in that blacks simply want/wanted to be accepted.
The United States is a male dominated culture that has not been kind to females let alone gay men and women. Especially, gay men. With this understanding, not that I expect you to agree, I do not think it is logical for homosexuals to expect the concept of America to accept them and the life that they led. I also believe it is flawed thinking for gay men/women to expect systems/institutions e.g. an all male black school that has been in existence for years to accommodate an distracting outlandish lifestyle (cross dressing) and that without question is not accepted by the society at-large. Yes, certain areas such as Midtown Atlanta, Dupont Circle in DC, urban San Francisco, and The Village in New York are more diverse in thinking. But, we have to admit that these liberal pockets of major cities are unique and definitely progressive. The majority of the American landscape is neither. This is a conservative nation with so called conservative values.
So, why is there an expectation for Morehouse officials to extend patience and acceptance to men who dress like females? Morehouse is a historically black college for MEN, not men who want to be female or dress and carry-on like females.
This is my position. One that will probably get me tagged as a homophobe. Interesting…but nothing new. Not new and far from the truth. My actions have proven that I am not a hater of gays. I am the opposite. What actions?
When closed minded black men and women ridiculed me for befriending and maintaining a friendship with a big lip, big nose, and big head gay man I was steadfast in my heterosexual love for him as my friend and mentor. It did not matter that he was a homosexual preacher. What mattered to him was that he never wore a badge on his forehead declaring and demanding acceptance. He was comfortable with who he was within the confines of the American Experience.
Muata Nowe
6 comments:
Reader Response:
"So, why is there an expectation for Morehouse officials to extend patience and acceptance to men who dress like females? Morehouse is a historically black college for MEN, not men who want to be female or dress and carry-on like females."
Nuff said!
-Nandi
Reader Response:
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU! Morehouse has a long and rich history of transitioning young black men from the safety & comfort of their family home(s) to the real world all why shaping & molding to be competent & competitive in the work force. Morehouse College should no guilt or remorse in not entertaining these gender confused men & their distracting wardrobe & behavior.
-DM
Reader Response:
Why should "Morehouse extend patience and acceptance to men who dress like females?" You answered your own question--because it as a HBCU for MEN. There are no qualifiers. Not for men who only like women, or men who only dress and act 'like men.' It is for men. And however they chose to express themselves, as long as it doesn't violate the school's rules, should be allowed. I'm sure not everyone at your job/university/neighborhood or whatever agrees with the way you choose to live your life, but no body's trying to stop you from doing it in the way you see fit, so why can't these men be afforded the same amount of respect?
-KL
Muata responds to KL:
Kia-
Actually it is against the Morehouse dress code. Several changes were made to the code a couple years back when some of the fellas showed up in class with saggin jeans and huge baseball caps.
One can live/act like they want/please - but not while on the job or while you are at a university/college. One should confirm to the regulations.
Expressing self should come with responsibility. Being responsible is representing yourself and the school according the school's standards.
It is simple to me:
We all know that cross dressing is a distraction and it displays some level of a defect in thinking. However, we have become so liberal in our thinking and behavior that ANYTHING goes in this world. Thus the reason the world has gone to hell.
Let's be real about topics such as this. We know what is right and what is wrong. COme on...
-Muata
KL Responds to Muata:
I will agree with you that if it is against the dress code, then no, they should not cross dress in class. To say that cross dressing being a defect in thinking on some level is prejudicial and downright offensive. It is thinking like this that contribute to the Down Low phenomena and high suicide rates in gay children. Homosexuality is not a mental disorder. Neither is crossdressing or transexualism. Just because you were fortunate enough to be born in a body that coincides with how you feel inside and a sexual orientation that happens to fall under the norm does not mean people who fall outside of that deserve your derision.
-KL
Muata responds to KL:
Defect Defined:
a lack of something necessary for completeness or perfection; shortcoming; deficiency
We all are defective. Cross dressing is singled out here because it represents a deficiency in the choice to dress like a woman if you are a man. It is not the norm. It definitely is not common. The decision displays a defect in the decision. It represents a thinking that is not in line with what is expected of men. Therefore, defective.
Really, KL - you are actually connecting cross dressing to the DL? Two different spectrums.
-Muata
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