Response To: The Unjustifiable Resentment of Black Americans

9th of September 2009

RESPONSE TO:
THE UNJUSTIFIABLE RESENTMENT OF BLACK AMERICANS

By: Michael Dean Shelton



I found your blog and was looking forward to some exceptional subject matter based on the post titles. I so fervently disagreed with this post, that instead of letting it go, I wanted to give you a different perspective that you might not have reflected upon.



While I read the statistics and some of the comments that angered you, we cannot segregate those we wish to challenge into supporting us. We as Gay Americans must follow the teachings from such iconic black freedom fighters in attracting our opposition to the table for discussions; not to insult, belittle and push them into a corner of defensiveness. We will never gain a place at the table of equality if among our ranks we ridicule those we wish to garner support from.



Looking at the numbers of voters and delineating those numbers, it shows that we carried white voters with more than fifty percent voting against Proposition 8. We must identify in the campaign strategy how we reached out to the White California voter ascertaining why our efforts were successful. Upon identifying that information, did we reach out to the Black California voter in the same manner? If we did, that will classify why our campaign efforts were unsuccessful and more market research must be done to ensure that our message can be delivered to our black brothers and sisters effectively.



One of the things you neglected to look at in your article was to identify that in the Western United States, the black populace only accounts for 9.1 % of the total population. Across the United States it is approximately 12.5% of the makeup of this country. It is therefore easy to understand why Black Americans may still identify themselves as a minority. Other statistics indicate that 94% of the world’s population is an active participant in religious ideologies. In the black community that number is higher to approximately 97%. While many of the black parishioners of the same faiths that our white practitioners are, more than 50% of them attend a house of worship that cater to predominately black patrons. That intensifies the fact that our struggle for freedom from oppression has more to do against religions than it has to do with individual citizens.



That tells me that in our fight against Proposition 8, we did not do a reasonable job reaching out to black churches, synagogues, temples and ashrams. Therefore between now and the next election, it would behoove us to engage (not denigrate) our fellow black citizens in their houses of worship and not on the streets. We will not reach the black masses in the same manner we touched white voters. We must engage with black religious leaders and politicians that will sway the Black California voters in places where they congregate and not expect them to come to us. We must bring our message of equality to them where they congregate and worship, which means we must win over black religious and political leaders. That is how we spread our message. That is how we show the similarities within their struggle for freedom as within ours. That is where we educate the average black person on religious dogma such as the belief that a gay person chooses to be that way and we show them that just like they are, we had no choice with being gay. It is more difficult for the average black person to identify with Gay America when more of our ranks live above poverty and the greater percentage of their numbers remains below poverty. As I’ve been saying for years, we must remove our differences and identify our similarities as we offer a helping hand to keep their continued struggle in the forefront so that as we receive their blessings we might also help them. We will never win the battle of equality while we struggle amongst ourselves…we must strive to be better, accepting and yes, walk in the path paved by so many slain black leaders who taught America to step aside from hatred and fear.



I feel your anger got the better of you within the text of your post. While I can identify with that anger, because I too feel our black brothers and sisters should be easier to persuade than their white, religious counter parts; however, I implore you to set aside your anger and remember that a few comments (ok many comments) does not speak for the entire Black California population. We must not stereotype the masses by the voice of the few…isn’t that what we are trying to get them to agree too also?



If you wish to have a greater understanding of how difficult reaching out to the black community will be; talk with black men who have sex on the “Down Low.” An entire population cannot stand proud or tall against its own, which forces them deeper into a closet. They feel rejection by the black community with a harshness that speaks of betrayal. It is deeply disturbing how as apposed to love and support, they feel even greater discrimination, which pushes them in larger numbers to live dual lives. Any time humanity is forced to live with duality, there will be greater suffering. Those who are black and gay, but closeted have a greater propensity to discriminate against all homosexuality. We see that exemplified by all of the religious leaders who are caught in sexual acts outside of their marriages. Some are found with gay sexual exploitations while others are found with parishioners or even prostitutes; yet most were the ones shouting the loudest against homosexuality, adultery or prostitution. Our struggle for freedom must also include liberating the black gay men and women who feel they are not accepted by their own.



Please consider my words and look at how you may voice your opinion with the might of your words, not in opposition to the black community, but rather including the black community.



LOVE CAN NEVER BE WRONG

Your humble servant – Todd M Dobson