Race doesn't matter? According to the wealth gap, it does.

Some may think that race is an old tired argument that is just used to get under the skin of Whites when people of color (particularly African Americans) try to justify keeping welfare and public assistant programs.  That race doesn't matter anymore, especially in the post-Civil Rights Era.  Well, just because laws were passed to give "equality" and a Black man was elected president—the issue of race did not disappear.  Overall, as a society we seem to forget the years of systematic racism that African Americans had to endure before we were given “equality.”

In a capitalistic society we would be naïve to think that wealth and race do not affect one another.  African Americans have always been economically deprived and the passage of legislation to grant equality could do nothing to correct this wrong.  Why?  Because race and the factors surrounding it were never fully discussed and resolved.  We as Americans don’t want to go down that slippery slope because it may open some old wounds and flair emotions.

But I ask, why not if it helps to bring equality to all people?  Last night on The Rachel Maddow Show, guest host Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) conducted an excellent analysis of the racial wealth gap.   Conversations such as this one are sorely needed and much overdue.  Turning a blind eye to glaring problems will not solve the problem.  Race will continue to be an issue until we continuously have open conversations like these and work towards solutions, whatever they may be.

“No disrespect to the gay and transgender community”? Brother, please!

Originally posted:

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/07/25/%E2%80%9Cno-disrespect-to-the-gay-and-transgender-community%E2%80%9D-brother-please/

DeSean Jackson, James Harrison, Kobe Bryant, and Joakim Noah—these names are certainly first synonymous with their sports prowess. Unfortunately, each of these names can be associated with homophobic remarks as well. Were their remarks ways of asserting their masculinity? Some people may say so, but that’s a topic for another time. Were they offensive? Misguided? Absolutely.

The sad part is that in 2011, Black professional athletes still have to use derogatory comments to get under other players’ skin or draw a reaction as if they are playing a game of the dozens to gain credibility on their street. They fail to realize that they are no longer young kids who are still wet behind the ears and don’t really understand that the words they utter carry profound meaning. This is not to say, however, that we should place professional athletes on a pedestal and think they will never make a mistake. Professional athletes are human after all and all humans make mistakes.

As clichéd as it may sound, with fame comes some form of responsibility to be a positive role model, no matter if one wants to be one or not. That is not to say that the person needs to change ultimately what makes them the unique person they are, but they need to be more aware of the impact their words and actions can have. This is particularly true in the Black community, where many youth idolize professional athletes and strive to be the next big star. It is not uncommon to see many Black youth wearing the sneakers their favorite athlete wears, partaking in products they endorse, or modeling their potential sports career after their favorite player. In this day and age, being a professional athlete means being a brand, a person who can appeal across racial and economic boundaries to sell products or be the spokesperson for an organization or charity. Thus it is crazy for an athlete to think they do not have any gay or transgender followers who would be offended by comments that were not meant to be “disrespectful” to the gay and transgender community.

More importantly, Black professional athletes like DeSean Jackson are sending mixed signals when they stand up for a bullied individual in one breath and then make derogatory and offensive comments about a community that suffers from high rates of bullying in another. Fortunately, not all Black professional athletes send mixed messages. Figures like Michael Irving and Grant Hill understand the importance of their words and the weight they carry, and have come out in support of gay and transgender rights. If nothing else, Black professional athletes need to understand that when they use “gay” or “faggot” in an unsavory manner, they will be viewed as homophobic, especially in the gay and transgender community.

These words are particularly harmful for Black gay and transgender youth who are struggling to fight homophobia within the Black community and create a self-identity. That is why Black professional athletes need to think of just how powerful a message they can send by speaking up to protect gay and transgender individuals from homophobia, discrimination, and violence by leading the way to a more inclusive society. Being bold and asserting their voice in a positive manner will be more appreciated than obligatory statements of saying their comments were “not meant to disrespect the gay and transgender community.”

"It Gets Better" Phillies Style

Late last Thursday evening, the Philadelphia Phillies became the seventh professional baseball team to announce they will produce an “It Gets Better” video.  The Phillies will join the Giants, Cubs, and Redsox (who have already made videos) and the Twins, Mariners, and Nationals (who have announced they will be making videos).

Bullying is an issue that is near and dear to my heart.  As someone who was bullied in grade school and for a good part of high school, I understand the magnitude that words can have.  If it were not for the supportive friends and family, I would not have been able to feel comfortable being who I am.  That is why I started a change.org petition to get the Phillies to join the other ball clubs.  As a lifelong Phillies fan and partial season ticket holder, there is no other organization I would have loved to see speak out against LGBT bullying than the Phillies.

Considering that LGBT youth who face bullying is increasingly likely to drop out of school, become homeless, use drugs, and even attempt suicide, I applaud efforts like “It Gets Better” that strive to make places like schools more inclusive.  The unspoken greatness of this campaign is that it allows LGBT youth who are not out or may not feel comfortable coming out know that things do get better and they should not stop being who they are.  And for those who are out and are feeling like there is nowhere to go, “It Gets Better” provides a beacon of hope.

Homophobia is very present in the sports world and when organizations take a stand against homophobia that speaks volumes.  Seeing the professional athlete you admire telling you that things get better and not to hide what makes you unique is powerful.  Through teams like the Phillies, LGBT youth are able to see that even in places where homophobia may be present, an inclusive and welcoming environment can be forged.  Having straight allies do make a difference in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment and I am glad the Phillies have once again shown why they are an elite organization who truly cares about the community.

I hope that the momentum does not stop here and that other professional sports teams decide to take a stand against anti-gay bullying and homophobia.   But today, I am even more honored to wear my Phillies red because I know that this organization values and respects its LGBT fans, like myself.