***read full article here.***
To sum this article up in a flash, basically Morehouse College (which is an all male, predominately Black institute) decides to offer a LGBTQ course in the Spring. Morehouse, as many of us may or may not know, wasn’t a institute big on LGBTQ change, which makes sense – to some, at least.
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The Black community, as a whole, is split off into two separate (maybe even more) groups. We have the group of Black people who firmly believe that all (Black) males should act masculine. They have this idea that all of them should act the same way, dress the same way, and behave the same way. And the smallest step outside that behavior is seen as uncomfortable, wrong, immoral, and unnatural. Now..this other group believes the exact opposite – that their should be no specific way a male should act, dress, talk, and basically behave. That just because the stereotype of a Black man is something, doesn’t mean that all males should follow this stereotype.
For gay students at Morehouse, one could imagine, this is no secret. Being a heterosexual (even cis-gendered) Morehouse student, your ideas may fall under the first group – which is pretty common. “All Black males should act…..” . However, for a Black homosexual student, who may identify as queer, trans, or just doesn’t fit the characteristics of how a Black male should act, he could be in some trouble.
Nevertheless, a LGBTQ group/club/organization formed within the school some time ago. And it was seen as pretty crazy and ridiculous. However, it was a success and still flourishes today. ***Feel free to read this article for more info.***
Now, let me get to my point before I continue to ramble on and on about this (cause it is quite bothersome). The fact that Morehouse is offering a LGBTQ class is great! It shows progress where progress is needed. It shows that enough students are curious about LGBTQ history. And it shows that there are people out there fighting for their rights – and more importantly the unification of the Black community as a whole. The only problem is, will this course continue. And will other schools follow suit. I don’t know. But, all I’m saying is..there is a change coming. Slowly, but surely.
LJ Hughes
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