Dear Black Boys

Racism vs. Homophobia

This chapter I'm calling out the homophobia in the black community, because you simply cannot cry about racism then flip out about someone being gay.

They are definitely equal. Why? Because when a black woman is gay it adds on to her struggle of being a black woman and when a black man is gay? Whew.

Racism and homophobia are equally horrible. These both are similar methods of dehumanizing people for what they cannot control.

You cannot cry racism while being angry at homosexuals just because of their sexuality as people do with just the color of someone's skin.

Of course I'm going to hit y'all with some facts and articles because it's better to educate someone rather than being bitter and saying "you should know that already".

For me growing up black and in a major Christian household, boy was the homophobia strong. It's sad to say but truthful at most that I looked down on the LGBTQ community because I was brought up to be "disgusted" by their sexuality.

This article thoroughly explains (in better ways) what I'm trying to say.

"Both ethnicity and sexual orientation are not chosen traits and are both included in the Universal Charter of Human Rights. There is no justification for intervention or alteration of either. The only thing that has any bearing on whether someone of a particular race or sexual orientation will be an asset or detriment to society is that individual's self-perceptions and resulting actions. 

This exploration is about the systematic tactics employed by racists and homophobes in order to instill a negative self-perception in others and how strikingly similar they are. "

Im pretty sure that most of us even had the experience of being called gay for simply calling out our families ways or even witnessed at first hand, a family member getting yelled at or kicked down for their choices. 

Now I know I've been gone for so long and im so sorry. I've been doing so much more reading and I have been educating myself so the book could be better and maybe even teach others. I also know this book is short but let me know what your experience is on this topic. 

Soon, I want to do a chapter on how black families deal with mental illnesses. This generations percentage of depression has grown 75% and thats totally not okay! Especially when most families do not "believe" in mental health. 

Just remember that you are loved and keep working on those 2019 goals!