AMERICAblog: My pain is greater than your pain - I win!
offspring
· 4 months ago
segragation you mean like the early 80's with the signs that said, no homosexuals, in places such as parks, bathrooms restrauants and so on? Segragation, you mean like during the holocaust? Where gays where used mainly for the hardest labor, and medical experiments? Or things like the term fag comes from early english meaning the using suspected homosexuals as kindling for a witch burning, later it would be mainly used to mean a bundle of sticks. Also this is the church that was forced upon the black slaves of old, talking, not the black community, because i know the black community especially those old enough to remeber the civil rights like my dad does, remember that it was alot of gay white kids and people that marched with them proving as human shields on bus's and at stores and being there knowing that it is their murder or beating that will bring about the attention of the media causing change, not the beating of the blacks as america became numb to that. It was the white people that stood with them that sacrifice with them that had more to do with them getting civil rights legally and politically through the attention of the media, and several brutal murders, but people forget history, they only remember the parts that they think apply to them, my dad who is black stop a kid yesterday on the bus that was yelling about whites killing malcomn x, he thought it was embarrassing, I told him gay guys and girls are bad at that to sometimes. What I am saying is all groups had it hard, it isnt about how hard you had it, it is, is someone having it hard now, that you can help, that helped you when you needed it? I try to stay out of the black white crap because it is useless on both sides, blacks wont admit it was blacks that sold blacks into slavery on the ivory coast, and whites wont admit it is ok to be white, they are terrified anything they say will make them the bad guy so they just take it. Alot of black people like us and support us, focus on them because the ones that dont wont.
offspring
· 4 months ago
dear god i ramble so sorry guys i just read what i wrote man , lol so sorry i will keep in alot shorter
Mateo1970
· 4 months ago
I saw the same opinion piece and was thoroughly disgusted. The author seems to be perpetuating the meme that it is some evil cabal of white nelly queens who are infecting the African-American community with homosexuality. The author tries to drive a cynical wedge between all people seeking civil rights, as though it is a zero sum pursuit.
John Aravosis
· 4 months ago
It was a very odd piece, to put it nicely.
landonbryce
· 4 months ago
Granderson was a 2009 GLAAD Award Winner for online journalism. Please contact GLAAD and let them know that they should be embarrassed they chose a winner who believes that gay people were not oppressed before 1969.
editht
· 4 months ago
Thank you for posting about this, John. I was so frustrated by the cnn.com article.
mem1044
· 4 months ago
Thank you for covering this article, John. I am a new convert to Americablog - and I'm addicted! Great reporting. Great analysis. The best.
Now, back to the article. I read it and left with a very uneasy feeling that you, and others, have clearly illuminated for your readers. I, too, do not understand why we have to "compete" for civil rights with anyone. To me, they are basic human rights and should be accorded equally to all citizens. I'm so tired of hearing that the LGBTQ community is trying to get ahead in the line or that we are impatient with Obama.
To me, the DOMA brief, among other actions (or inactions) speak louder than rhetoric. I'm really disappointed with the Obama administration. My ATM is closed and I'm waiting. I have been pleased that so many in our community are taking our civil rights seriously, as a result of our shared disappointment. So, when I read Mr. Granderson's article, I was more frustrated that our community's advocacy continues to be placed in a negative light - and, in my opinion - unfairly so.
Thanks again, for another great lead and analysis. I'm a true fan in Chicago. Best!
Kelly Canfield
· 4 months ago
I know what you mean as far as any take down as regards the CNN piece. Tiresome and untrue in so many ways. Yet I'll offer a couple things:
Part of it is generational. I'm 47, and don't care for hip hop music. I'm a Steely Dan (pop) and Disco/Euro Pop freak as an age based music preference, which allowed me to hang a while with the techno thing as far as the dance club part is concerned. Anymore. I really don't care for any music in any of the clubs, and really just don't participate in that anymore.
But that's DANCE CLUB, not relationships, much less SCREWING! Back before there was rap/hip-hop and since then I have had 2 black boyfriends, and some hispanic ones as well as the caucasians. Yes, call me "bike" because it's easy for me to get around the block. :)
So screw this jerk for writing such a stupid piece. My question: is he an out, gay black man that ESPN has on the payroll? If so, knock me down with a feather.
I could give a crap about his awards if he ain't living the life, and if he is, he needs to live a little more. Give him my email! :)
robish518
· 4 months ago
I write on the "straight" americablog often and just found this domain (gay.americablog). I like your take on generational music and I've found this has been the most driving force behind own exploration. I'm a huge Pink Floyd fan, but not until recent years (25-28). I grew up in an age of techno culture and raves, but thankfully avoided the scene of circuit parties, meth, and unprotected sex (something the gay community needs to admit to and begin to take a pro-active stance on).
Aside of that, just wanted to introduce you to a style of techno you may not have heard of.... it's called Australian atmospheric drum-n-bass... cheesy plug, but check out bassdrive.com. I don't work for them, just an avid listener. :-)
As far as gay rights... I'll stand in saying that I don't believe the pressuring of Obama by the gay community is unobjectionable. There is still a legislative process that the Constitution sets upon. For people to assume that all power lies with the president is unnerving. I hope the gay community doesn't intend to promote itself by assuming acceptance of others from force by a single leader.
If there is a problem with Congress making unconstitutional laws, then it is that branch that needs to be fixed. The power lies with the people, the legislature, not the executor.
John Aravosis
· 4 months ago
Actually, we're suggesting that the president use the power given to him by law. He didn't have to file a homophobic brief, and he has the power to issue a stop loss order, and presidents have before him. And finally, as he has now shown with the health care reform debate, the president has the power to influence legislation when he wants to. We'd like to influence ours.
melchore
· 4 months ago
I know LZ from grad. school and afterwards. He has been married and has a kid. He is a nice individual. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, MI, around the corner from his now ex-wife and kid. Now...with that said. LGBT rights are beyond a white/black issue and he is missing that. In grad. school, LZ was not the sharpest tool and made bad leaps of logic in classes.
VegasDave
· 4 months ago
This "my oppression is worse than your oppression" crap coming from some in the black community is getting tiresome.
If you really want to get technical about the whole issue, my community, LGBT, has been discriminated and oppressed ever since the book of Leviticus was written several thousands of years ago. Remember the man laying with man as with a woman is an abomination crap. Thousands of years of oppression while the bastards who believed that crap ate their pork and shellfish and wore clothes of mixed fibers. Also an abomination according to Leviticus.
Sort of like picking and choosing from the menu board at McDonald's. I'll have on of these beliefs, but not one of those.
So, is the pissing contest over yet, or do we have to whip out our penis for a measuring contest?
Discrimination is discrimination, oppression is oppression. It's time to acknowledge those facts and stop pretending one class of people are worth less than another.
RitornaVincitor
· 4 months ago
There are two main differences between the oppression gays face and the oppression blacks face. 1) Gays traditionally didn't have anyone to turn to... no community, no church, no teacher, no friends. 2) Gays generally support equal rights for blacks, but the reverse is not true.
scottinsf
· 4 months ago
You have to wonder how many kids are thrown out of the house or even driven to suicide when their parents discover they're black and disown them.
RitornaVincitor
· 4 months ago
Or how many black kids blame themselves for being black, and feel they must change their race.
pavo99
· 4 months ago
Meh. You can read a commentary just like the one from ESPN about twice a week on the Bilerico blog.
All Comments
Now, back to the article. I read it and left with a very uneasy feeling that you, and others, have clearly illuminated for your readers. I, too, do not understand why we have to "compete" for civil rights with anyone. To me, they are basic human rights and should be accorded equally to all citizens. I'm so tired of hearing that the LGBTQ community is trying to get ahead in the line or that we are impatient with Obama.
To me, the DOMA brief, among other actions (or inactions) speak louder than rhetoric. I'm really disappointed with the Obama administration. My ATM is closed and I'm waiting. I have been pleased that so many in our community are taking our civil rights seriously, as a result of our shared disappointment. So, when I read Mr. Granderson's article, I was more frustrated that our community's advocacy continues to be placed in a negative light - and, in my opinion - unfairly so.
Thanks again, for another great lead and analysis. I'm a true fan in Chicago. Best!
Part of it is generational. I'm 47, and don't care for hip hop music. I'm a Steely Dan (pop) and Disco/Euro Pop freak as an age based music preference, which allowed me to hang a while with the techno thing as far as the dance club part is concerned. Anymore. I really don't care for any music in any of the clubs, and really just don't participate in that anymore.
But that's DANCE CLUB, not relationships, much less SCREWING! Back before there was rap/hip-hop and since then I have had 2 black boyfriends, and some hispanic ones as well as the caucasians. Yes, call me "bike" because it's easy for me to get around the block. :)
So screw this jerk for writing such a stupid piece. My question: is he an out, gay black man that ESPN has on the payroll? If so, knock me down with a feather.
I could give a crap about his awards if he ain't living the life, and if he is, he needs to live a little more. Give him my email! :)
Aside of that, just wanted to introduce you to a style of techno you may not have heard of.... it's called Australian atmospheric drum-n-bass... cheesy plug, but check out bassdrive.com. I don't work for them, just an avid listener. :-)
As far as gay rights... I'll stand in saying that I don't believe the pressuring of Obama by the gay community is unobjectionable. There is still a legislative process that the Constitution sets upon. For people to assume that all power lies with the president is unnerving. I hope the gay community doesn't intend to promote itself by assuming acceptance of others from force by a single leader.
If there is a problem with Congress making unconstitutional laws, then it is that branch that needs to be fixed. The power lies with the people, the legislature, not the executor.
If you really want to get technical about the whole issue, my community, LGBT, has been discriminated and oppressed ever since the book of Leviticus was written several thousands of years ago. Remember the man laying with man as with a woman is an abomination crap. Thousands of years of oppression while the bastards who believed that crap ate their pork and shellfish and wore clothes of mixed fibers. Also an abomination according to Leviticus.
Sort of like picking and choosing from the menu board at McDonald's. I'll have on of these beliefs, but not one of those.
So, is the pissing contest over yet, or do we have to whip out our penis for a measuring contest?
Discrimination is discrimination, oppression is oppression. It's time to acknowledge those facts and stop pretending one class of people are worth less than another.