A straight black Baltimore public school teacher writes a poignant letter to the editor of the Baltimore Sun, speaking out against the horrific murder of 15-year-old Jason Mattison and the systemic homophobia that targeted Mattison and other black gay youth. Why does the black community teach homophobia to their young? asks J.B. Salganik.
As a Baltimore City public school teacher, I hear about one homophobic slur an hour. Usually, this homophobia is reserved for gay men rather than lesbians, who are somewhat more accepted. Even intelligent, educated adults I meet will often surprise me with such prejudice, and this is especially true in the black community. Usually this prejudice is justified by religious convictions, but slave owners used to go to church on Sundays and quote the Bible too. Gay people have always existed, in every culture and country in history, yet we are told their sexual orientation is unnatural and perverted. What is the threat that these people pose to the rest of us that they must be denied their full rights of citizenship?
You would think that the leaders of the black community, a group that has experienced so much discrimination and prejudice over the course of American history, would be the last to turn around and stigmatize other people, but the opposite is true. ...People need to realize that, historically, the same organizations that have sought to deny rights to gays have also discriminated against blacks. As such, my heart goes out to the gay African-American men and boys of Baltimore and the nation. I sincerely hope to see the day when they can feel safe in their own communities and enjoy the full benefits of American life, including the chance to serve in the military and to marry. Or simply feel safe in high school.
Jason Mattison's English teacher also writes to the Sun, which should be applauded for its sensitive reporting.
There's been a rash of violence against gay youth especially those who are black or Latino. Mattison's murder happened the same week a gay high school student was attacked by metal pipe-wielding classmates in Houston. Also last week: A substitute teacher in suburban Atlanta was arrested for allegedly soliciting another student to kill a 16-year-old student who was gay. Both students are black gay teens. And of course the Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado tragedy happened the weekend before last in Puerto Rico.
In related news: The $1 million bond for Dante Parrish has been revoked. The 35-year-old ex-con who apparently forced Jason Mattison into a sexual relationship and confessed to killing him is now being held without bail.
Background:
Many Questions After Brutal Slaying
It seems like this teacher's eyes were opened by this tragedy. Most of the time, it takes a person to really get to know a gay person before they can feel compassion for them. Most black people don't think they know a gay person because so many of us are hidden in the closet. I wonder how things would be if more black people (and all races in general)had close relationships with people they KNEW were gay. I would hope we would have more people like this teacher. :'(
Posted by: Mellovirgo89 | 23 November 2009 at 15:12
im still hurt over this!
Posted by: crunkpoet | 23 November 2009 at 17:00
I'm still hurt over this, too.
Thanks for caring.
Posted by: Rod Mc | 23 November 2009 at 21:11
It doesn't make any sense why how often this occurs these days.
Posted by: kayman | 23 November 2009 at 22:43
I still cry everytime I read anything about this. A child who was on his way to making an even bigger difference in the community as a doctor. He was not into gangs or drugs or other foolishness. He was into making a difference. Lord help us.
Posted by: Diva1961 | 24 November 2009 at 17:51
This is an awesome article...I can appreaciate your point of view. Two reasons...I am black and also gay and it's interesting to hear the comments on a daily basis...not sure when homosexuals became the end of everyone's joke. At any rate, I also write and have addressed this very issue in an online magazine ...based out of Baltimore and can be found on-line at www.excapethematrix.com
a few months ago I submitted an article entitled "Stick and Stones" it's an editorial that talks about the issues within the community and home.
Posted by: Markezz | 25 November 2009 at 17:32