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Withers:
Why no race blame game after the Maine loss?
,
contributing editor,
365Gay Blog 11.05.2009 9:08am EST
contributing editor,
365Gay Blog 11.05.2009 9:08am EST
A 365Gay history lesson: last year before the Proposition 8 vote, I wished it failed because I knew a few would jump on the “black people are such
homophobes” line. Unfortunately Golden State citizens voted against marriage
equality and that tired memo got a lot of play here and elsewhere.
Research the site and read the comments. They ranged from folk informing me how
“my brothers and sisters” screwed over the LGBT community to suggestions it
would be a good idea for gays to discriminate against blacks in retaliation.
Look at the stuff if you want.
On this week’s election night, was listening to WNYC, and Nate Silver was being
interviewed. I have no issues with Silver, link to 538 all all the time
and think he adds to the political discourse. It was early in the night and he
was asked to give thoughts on what would happen in Maine. He noted the dearth
of an African-American population in the state and said gay marriage would make
it. A strange comment coming from a guy who threw needed cold water on those who decided to blame the small
California black population for the Prop 8 defeat.
Well as we all know marriage rights did not make it in the Pine
Tree State and to steal from one of Ta-Nehisi
Coates’ readers here is the question for the day:
“Why are posters here, and the media generally, ignoring the fact that these
results were driven by Maine’s overwhelming number of black churches?”
For those who don’t get it, the question is rhetorical and ironical.
Before a few of you throw up, let’s get the obvious out of the way.
Homophobia, is a problem, no matter where it comes from. Too many blacks adopt a
“don’t ask, don’t tell” policy when it comes to sexuality. Oh we will groove to
the music of Luther Vandross, and wonder out loud why he never found himself a
wife. Or we will clap our hands in joyous celebration at the music on church
Sunday but go silent when it’s announced the choir director is sick with a
“blood disease.”
These realities of black-American life cannot, and should not be ignored;
however, too many of us blithely support a narrative where homophobia is
somehow purer in black and brown communities. Yes we have California, but
there is also Washington,
DC, and those who leaned on race to explain Prop 8 have been
strangely silent on the DC City Council.
From Maine to California, many black, brown, and white faces will gladly
vote against gay marriage. If there is anything that crosses the racial divide
it’s bigotry for lesbians and gays.