http://www.upworthy.com/jay-zs-stunningly-down-to-earth-take-on-gay-marriage?c=utw1 Good for Jay-z, being a good example. Thoughts?
This is great, and I agree with him. I think a lot of the reason blacks have historically seemed less accepting of homosexuality (although I don't think it's as true now as it once was) was that there is a strong desire to be viewed as manly, as macho. Probably more in the African American community than in the white community, or Asian community. It's an image thing, so having badass, famous black guys be pro-gay is a signal to other African Americans than you can still be a real man and support gay rights.
I'm glad to see people who have evolved on their position regarding gay rights, but Jay-Z??? You just know he wasn't anywhere near this position in the early 90s, or for most of his career. The stuff the more mature Jay Z says lately sounds really hypocritical to me, but I don't hold onto every word that comes out of his mouth anyway.
Yeah, I don't get this either Dark. I mean, I get how it can seem really phoney if I'm against gay rights, and then suddenly, the very next day, I seem to have completely changed my mind. That's a political thing to look good. But gradually changing your mind over 15 years? That's called progress as a person. In fact, I'd go all the way and say anyone who decides all of their positions at age 25 and then decides to never change any of them again is fooling themselves. They're the person we should criticize, not the person who continues to grow and learn even after they get out of schooling years.
Only Jay Z really knows, but I doubt he had these views 5 years ago. More power to him.:smt048 When the majority of your wife's professional male associates are gay, I guess your position on gay rights 'evolves'.:smt036
I feel Jay shouldn't compare it to society's discrimination towards Blacks because most gays can fall-back on, or even hide under any of their alternate or privileged roles. Black people don't get that luxury. If you are a gay Black person, your Blackness will trump your gayness in terms of discrimination in society. The only time such trumping might not occur is when a Black person openly presents themselves as gay particularly as a flaming one, because being black&gay is perceived as less threatening (if at all), than a straight black male. So one cannot even compare the discrimination.
I'm indifferent to gay marriage, but I'm strictly against inequality. However, I have to agree with Bliss, gay discrimination and black discrimination are not in the same box. Nobody knows if your gay or not, unless you choose to reveal your sexuality. But no matter what, there is no mistaking my being Black. So even though blacks and gays experience discrimination, it is far from the same.
It's really unfortunate that people would simply look at physical appearance and not the bigger picture of it all. It is about equal rights/civil rights for all. Anytime when there are restrictions or limitations pertaining to the rights of others, then it is a discriminatory practice and overt bigotry because of insecurities or fears others may possess. Because of who you are, you're perceived as being a threat to the very fabric of the workplace, school institution, etc.... In other words, diving into ignorance to justify narrow reasoning. Having said that, it's perfectly reasonable for Jay-Z to recognize the fight for marriage equality as a matter of civil rights and relate it to the causes of racial discrimination, especially in the vain of miscegenation politics pre-1956.
Really? that is a False Equivalency Nothing in your post begins to prove otherwise. Racial discrimination goes far beyond marriage. For you to even suggest otherwise is rediculous, perhaps you just want to play devils advocate. This is a shitty way to do that.
False equivalency? You're sticking with one component, as I've proven already. The fact that gays also have been brutally beaten and maimed by their persecutors, and were unable to be themselves in the workplace without threats of being fired further illustrates that point home. Just because something doesn't directly affect your life and outcome doesn't mean you need to be a selfish jackass and dismiss the plight of one group as nothing. Otherwise, we wouldn't have LGBT protection laws embedded in hate crime laws and other laws preventing discrimination on any grounds, public or private. Again, they are attacked for who they are and are being persecuted by the woefully ignorant public.
