You tell me - is it funny or offensive.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Funny or offensive?
This clip from an episode of Martin underlines the negative images that seem to be numerous in black entertainment regarding lgbts of color. The "fun" begins at 40 seconds.
You tell me - is it funny or offensive.
You tell me - is it funny or offensive.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
How the religious right exploits the black community
In 1991, writer-director John Singleton came out with the landmark motion picture Boyz N The Hood which analyzed the plight of inner city African-Americans, particularly young black males.
I remember the scene in which one of the characters asked about why there were so many gun shops and drugs in the black community when African-Americans didn't own these gun shops or the poppy fields that produced the drugs.
His implication was that outside forces were exploiting poverty in the black community for profit while not caring about the effects of their exploitation.
It was a good point and I think it can be made when one assesses how the religious right exploits the black community's inability to have a decent conversation about homosexuality.
I know I am not saying anything unfamiliar when I say that the black community avoids conversations about this subject as if even mentioning the word "gay" would conjure up the devil in a puff of sulphur.
Those of us in the black community know that lgbts of color exist and their needs aren't being met because of the wall of invisibility created by this fear.
The religious right also knows this. In fact, they count on it. That's why it's so easy for conservative talking heads such as Mike Huckabee, Maggie Gallagher, Matt Barber, and Harry Jackson to take an aura of phony concern when they accuse the lgbt community at large for supposedly piggybacking on the African-American civil rights movement.
They can play gays against blacks in a "divide and conquer" strategy because the black community is afraid to admit that it and the lgbt community are more alike than they are different, especially with the existence of lgbts of color.
But I want to ask a question similar to the one asked by the Boyz N The Hood character.
How much ownership and access does the black community have with religious right groups? Where are these pro-family groups and their state affiliates when it comes to actually tackling the issues of the inner city? What is their stance on racial inequality in education or employment?
Or how about the sadly high rate of HIV/AIDS in the black community?
That is my point exactly. These phony pro-family groups, these supposed defenders of the black community are nowhere to be seen.
And why should they? They've gotten what they wanted.
Why should the owner of the gun shops mentioned in Boyz N The Hood care that his wares are leading to death and destruction? He has made his money.
Why should the owner of the poppy fields care that the drugs produced from these fields will put more addicts on the streets looking to steal, sell their bodies, or do anything else for their next fix? After all, he has made his money also.
By that same token, why should the religious right care if the rhetoric in their game of "divide and conquer" leads to more lgbt of color invisibility or black gay men being susceptible to fears of coming out, low self esteem, or worse - bad behaviors which lead to diseases such as HIV/AIDS. They've gotten what they wanted - more influence, more power, more credibility and the black and gay communities at each other's throats.
I remember the scene in which one of the characters asked about why there were so many gun shops and drugs in the black community when African-Americans didn't own these gun shops or the poppy fields that produced the drugs.
His implication was that outside forces were exploiting poverty in the black community for profit while not caring about the effects of their exploitation.
It was a good point and I think it can be made when one assesses how the religious right exploits the black community's inability to have a decent conversation about homosexuality.
I know I am not saying anything unfamiliar when I say that the black community avoids conversations about this subject as if even mentioning the word "gay" would conjure up the devil in a puff of sulphur.
Those of us in the black community know that lgbts of color exist and their needs aren't being met because of the wall of invisibility created by this fear.
The religious right also knows this. In fact, they count on it. That's why it's so easy for conservative talking heads such as Mike Huckabee, Maggie Gallagher, Matt Barber, and Harry Jackson to take an aura of phony concern when they accuse the lgbt community at large for supposedly piggybacking on the African-American civil rights movement.
They can play gays against blacks in a "divide and conquer" strategy because the black community is afraid to admit that it and the lgbt community are more alike than they are different, especially with the existence of lgbts of color.
But I want to ask a question similar to the one asked by the Boyz N The Hood character.
How much ownership and access does the black community have with religious right groups? Where are these pro-family groups and their state affiliates when it comes to actually tackling the issues of the inner city? What is their stance on racial inequality in education or employment?
Or how about the sadly high rate of HIV/AIDS in the black community?
That is my point exactly. These phony pro-family groups, these supposed defenders of the black community are nowhere to be seen.
And why should they? They've gotten what they wanted.
Why should the owner of the gun shops mentioned in Boyz N The Hood care that his wares are leading to death and destruction? He has made his money.
Why should the owner of the poppy fields care that the drugs produced from these fields will put more addicts on the streets looking to steal, sell their bodies, or do anything else for their next fix? After all, he has made his money also.
By that same token, why should the religious right care if the rhetoric in their game of "divide and conquer" leads to more lgbt of color invisibility or black gay men being susceptible to fears of coming out, low self esteem, or worse - bad behaviors which lead to diseases such as HIV/AIDS. They've gotten what they wanted - more influence, more power, more credibility and the black and gay communities at each other's throats.
Thursday mid day news briefs
Greg, no on 'hates' you. We detest anti-scientific anti-truths! - This piece underlines why many lgbts including myself have a serious problem with the ex-gay movement. Folks like the person in this piece, Greg Quinlan, falsely claim that gays attack them because we have a problem with their ex-gay status.
No Greg, we have a problem with your duplicity. If you are ex-gay, then what are you doing at a PepsiCo shareholders meeting speaking against the company donating money to pro-gay causes such as PFLAG? If you are an ex-gay, why are you doing things to make it difficult for lgbts to attain the same type of peace that you claim you have? You can't speak against us and then claim that we won't leave you alone. Being tolerant and being a doormat are two different things.
WTF: DC TV newscaster tells Mike Rogers he wants to take him outside and punch him over 'Outrage' - Mike Rogers works to denounce the hypocrisies of closeted gay politicians who will then work against their own brothers and sisters. Some may think it's wrong, but I approve of what he does.
CNN poll: Generations disagree on same-sex marriage - works for me as long as we have the younger generation on our side.
Effort To Repeal Washington DP May Lack Support - All together now - AAWWWWWWWWW!
Sessions open minded on gay justice - This probably won't happen (it nearly did in the case of President Clinton and Barbara Jordan) but just the idea of it would be fun if only to see how fast the religious right's head would spin.
No Greg, we have a problem with your duplicity. If you are ex-gay, then what are you doing at a PepsiCo shareholders meeting speaking against the company donating money to pro-gay causes such as PFLAG? If you are an ex-gay, why are you doing things to make it difficult for lgbts to attain the same type of peace that you claim you have? You can't speak against us and then claim that we won't leave you alone. Being tolerant and being a doormat are two different things.
WTF: DC TV newscaster tells Mike Rogers he wants to take him outside and punch him over 'Outrage' - Mike Rogers works to denounce the hypocrisies of closeted gay politicians who will then work against their own brothers and sisters. Some may think it's wrong, but I approve of what he does.
CNN poll: Generations disagree on same-sex marriage - works for me as long as we have the younger generation on our side.
Effort To Repeal Washington DP May Lack Support - All together now - AAWWWWWWWWW!
Sessions open minded on gay justice - This probably won't happen (it nearly did in the case of President Clinton and Barbara Jordan) but just the idea of it would be fun if only to see how fast the religious right's head would spin.
Family Research Council send me a big ole lie
I got this via email from the Family Research Council. They are wanting me and others to sign a petition to keep the U.S. Senate from passing the sexual orientation inclusive hate crimes legislation:
The enactment of so-called "hate crimes" legislation is a long-stated objective of the homosexual agenda. It is one step closer to being law.
The House of Representatives passed the Hate Crimes Bill 249-175. When the Republicans tried to stop protections from possibly going to pedophiles and other suspect categories the supporters of the bill voted to protect those perversions. When Representatives tried to insert protections for religion, protecting the Bible from being described as hate speech, the Democrats voted those protections down!
The "hate crimes legislation protects pedophiles" meme is one folks on the right have been trying to push. James Dobson went on video pushing this lie and even Fox News got into the act.
The factoid is more than a lie; it's a huge distortion. Accordng to mediamatters.org:
Discussing the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which defines as a crime acts of violence or attempted violence "motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim," Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Bill Hemmer, and The Fox Nation, have all recently advanced the false claim that House Democrats voted to "protect" or "defend" pedophiles by voting against an amendment to the bill by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) stating that "the term 'sexual orientation' shall not include pedophilia."
In fact, as Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) noted during an April 23 House Judiciary Committee hearing, the term "sexual orientation" is already defined by federal statute as applying only to "consensual homosexuality or heterosexuality," thereby excluding pedophiles, who engage in nonconsensual sexual relationships with children. In providing her reasons for opposing King's amendment, Baldwin said that it "is unnecessary and, I would add, inflammatory in terms of insinuations."
So pedophiles are already excluded from being covered under hate crimes legislation. Also if the hate crimes bill is against acts of violence, then adding an addendum keeping the Bible from being called "hate speech" is also unnecessary.
FRC loves to trumpet the idea that homosexuality is a sin but apparently has no problem with another sin (i.e. bearing false witness) in pursuit of its goals.
The enactment of so-called "hate crimes" legislation is a long-stated objective of the homosexual agenda. It is one step closer to being law.
The House of Representatives passed the Hate Crimes Bill 249-175. When the Republicans tried to stop protections from possibly going to pedophiles and other suspect categories the supporters of the bill voted to protect those perversions. When Representatives tried to insert protections for religion, protecting the Bible from being described as hate speech, the Democrats voted those protections down!
The "hate crimes legislation protects pedophiles" meme is one folks on the right have been trying to push. James Dobson went on video pushing this lie and even Fox News got into the act.
The factoid is more than a lie; it's a huge distortion. Accordng to mediamatters.org:
Discussing the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which defines as a crime acts of violence or attempted violence "motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim," Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Bill Hemmer, and The Fox Nation, have all recently advanced the false claim that House Democrats voted to "protect" or "defend" pedophiles by voting against an amendment to the bill by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) stating that "the term 'sexual orientation' shall not include pedophilia."
In fact, as Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) noted during an April 23 House Judiciary Committee hearing, the term "sexual orientation" is already defined by federal statute as applying only to "consensual homosexuality or heterosexuality," thereby excluding pedophiles, who engage in nonconsensual sexual relationships with children. In providing her reasons for opposing King's amendment, Baldwin said that it "is unnecessary and, I would add, inflammatory in terms of insinuations."
So pedophiles are already excluded from being covered under hate crimes legislation. Also if the hate crimes bill is against acts of violence, then adding an addendum keeping the Bible from being called "hate speech" is also unnecessary.
FRC loves to trumpet the idea that homosexuality is a sin but apparently has no problem with another sin (i.e. bearing false witness) in pursuit of its goals.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Did Liberty University Remove Official Video of Miss California?
Yeah I know this issue is getting on your nerves but this is an interesting development.
Apparently Liberty University has allegedly removed the official video of Carrie Prejean's chapel appearance from Youtube.
The news comes from this religious site which tears Prejean and the religious right to shreds. You can't blame gays for this one:
It is a tragedy for Carrie. If she truly knows Christ, she is poorly taught and in real need of discipleship and mentoring by older Christian women in the faith. Instead, she was given the spotlight and a role she was not ready for. Also, just as fast as she was embraced and used by many of these groups, she risks now being dropped due to the appearance of these shameful photos, both those from the past and those she defends in her “Christian” modeling. Welcome to the evangelical celebrity circuit where souls and hearts don’t matter as much as an effective PR blitz for the “cause.” People are expendable.
Friends, as believers, our cause is the honor and glory of our Savior, King Jesus. The haste with which the present Religious Right leadership jumped on the bandwagon is resulting in unnecessary additional ridicule and mockery of Christianity. We didn’t need this. The cause of Jesus Christ did not need this.
Ouch!
Apparently Liberty University has allegedly removed the official video of Carrie Prejean's chapel appearance from Youtube.
The news comes from this religious site which tears Prejean and the religious right to shreds. You can't blame gays for this one:
It is a tragedy for Carrie. If she truly knows Christ, she is poorly taught and in real need of discipleship and mentoring by older Christian women in the faith. Instead, she was given the spotlight and a role she was not ready for. Also, just as fast as she was embraced and used by many of these groups, she risks now being dropped due to the appearance of these shameful photos, both those from the past and those she defends in her “Christian” modeling. Welcome to the evangelical celebrity circuit where souls and hearts don’t matter as much as an effective PR blitz for the “cause.” People are expendable.
Friends, as believers, our cause is the honor and glory of our Savior, King Jesus. The haste with which the present Religious Right leadership jumped on the bandwagon is resulting in unnecessary additional ridicule and mockery of Christianity. We didn’t need this. The cause of Jesus Christ did not need this.
Ouch!
Wednesday afternoon news briefs
Ugh is all I can say about today.
Those who keep up with this blog know that it is a part time gig which I do not get paid for. I post three times a day - when I get up in the morning, on my lunch break, and when I get home.
So imagine my surprise when I discovered that the library, the place where I do my noon postings, was closed.
Subsequently, my search for another library downtime led me to go on one of those legendary mythical journeys that's doomed for failure from the start (i.e. Orpheus and Gilgamesh).
But whereas Orpheus and Gilgamesh went to the underworld, I had to slog through the hot downtown area and lawns of dog crap (people really need to clean up after their pets) where my journey had an unsurprising unsuccessful end.
So here I am a post behind and I just know something good would happen today that I probably missed out on (like pictures of Peter LaBarbera in drag).
But bear with me while I try to catch up and thank you for your support thus far. Please continue to support this blog ;p.
Maine governor signs bill allowing same-sex 'marriage' - We get marriage in Maine and the One News Now commentators are pissed. Suddenly this day is looking up.
House passes same-sex marriage, 178-167; bill now moves to governor's desk - Hot damn! We almost get marriage in New Hampshire too. The governor needs to sign this bill.
If It Smells Like Coffee & Tea Here, It's Time To Cool Baser Instincts & Practice Counting To Ten - A good conversation on Pam's House Blend regarding us as community. When we attack others and ourselves with nasty language, we become exactly what the religious right says we are.
M*A*S*H star comes out - Welcome to the family, David Ogden Stiers. However that gay ray I hit you with was set for Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
James Dobson's Hate Crimes Freak-Out - What's the deal with James Dobson? It's one thing to lie but it's another thing entirely to lie even when folks know you are lying.
Those who keep up with this blog know that it is a part time gig which I do not get paid for. I post three times a day - when I get up in the morning, on my lunch break, and when I get home.
So imagine my surprise when I discovered that the library, the place where I do my noon postings, was closed.
Subsequently, my search for another library downtime led me to go on one of those legendary mythical journeys that's doomed for failure from the start (i.e. Orpheus and Gilgamesh).
But whereas Orpheus and Gilgamesh went to the underworld, I had to slog through the hot downtown area and lawns of dog crap (people really need to clean up after their pets) where my journey had an unsurprising unsuccessful end.
So here I am a post behind and I just know something good would happen today that I probably missed out on (like pictures of Peter LaBarbera in drag).
But bear with me while I try to catch up and thank you for your support thus far. Please continue to support this blog ;p.
Maine governor signs bill allowing same-sex 'marriage' - We get marriage in Maine and the One News Now commentators are pissed. Suddenly this day is looking up.
House passes same-sex marriage, 178-167; bill now moves to governor's desk - Hot damn! We almost get marriage in New Hampshire too. The governor needs to sign this bill.
If It Smells Like Coffee & Tea Here, It's Time To Cool Baser Instincts & Practice Counting To Ten - A good conversation on Pam's House Blend regarding us as community. When we attack others and ourselves with nasty language, we become exactly what the religious right says we are.
M*A*S*H star comes out - Welcome to the family, David Ogden Stiers. However that gay ray I hit you with was set for Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
James Dobson's Hate Crimes Freak-Out - What's the deal with James Dobson? It's one thing to lie but it's another thing entirely to lie even when folks know you are lying.
Homosexual demon my foot!!
In the video clip below, this so-called reverend, overseer, prophetess (I don't know which name the silly woman prefers) is taking it upon herself to "exorcise" an alleged "demon of homosexuality." (Editor's note - The video has been removed but I posted another video that tells of the account).
Scenes like this that make me sad. On one hand, it's funny the depths of ignorance that some so-called Christians are stooping to.
And on the other hand, it's a reason why it's so hard for lgbts of color to be accepted for who we are in the black community.
All I can say is that if someone tries to play that "cast out" game with me, that someone is getting cut.
One more thing - feel free to share this hot mess of nonsense with others.
Scenes like this that make me sad. On one hand, it's funny the depths of ignorance that some so-called Christians are stooping to.
And on the other hand, it's a reason why it's so hard for lgbts of color to be accepted for who we are in the black community.
All I can say is that if someone tries to play that "cast out" game with me, that someone is getting cut.
One more thing - feel free to share this hot mess of nonsense with others.
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