There is so much confusion and apprehension behind these words. First, it’s not my intention to in any way step on Mr. Amani’s toes as I am wading in the shallow end of his pool. Also, I am not a biblical nor a gay rights scholar, so I cannot bring you the depth of thought, experience or knowledge this piece probably deserves. However, as I toggled between subjects for my next delivery to Hoodgrown, this issue stood front and center.
In the weeks leading up to this historical election, I kept up with two races; the Presidential race and Georgia’s senate race. I honestly had no idea Proposition 8, a measure to ban gay marriage in California, was being fiercely and expensively fought thousands of miles from me. I learned later that similar legislation was on two other state ballots, but it is California’s struggle with this issue that captivated me.
Of course, my first thought was why can’t these folks in California make up their damn minds? I thought this was already decided. Didn’t Ellen marry that Porsha girl? Why are they still fighting about this? Again, as someone who has never been to California, I always thought of it as one of the few places in this country where gays could collect and live without all the bigoted rhetoric and restrictions that plague…. well… almost everywhere else. I guess I was wrong.
The most mystifying part of the passage of this proposition was the percentage of the black vote that made it happen. As we were drawn to the poles in record numbers to vote for President Elect Obama, we put our stamp on other races that happened to be occurring at the same time. Its being reported that African-Americans sided with the ban to the tune of 70%. So as we accepted and praised the new day, the change, the hope and all the other awesome semantics that came with electing our first African-American President; we totally shut down those same dreams for another group; a group that is not mutually exclusive to us. In one breath we said “Yes We Can” and “No You Can’t.” The irony of it all is quite disturbing, but probably lost on those who voted Yes.
Look, I don’t know what its like to be gay; just like I don’t know what its like to be an Eskimo. However, I do know that as I walk in my shoes I have no tolerance for unnecessary obstacles in my path; obstacles put there just because I am black or a woman. And I can see past the differences far enough to know that other folks feel the same way. So as throngs of citizens spend their time determining how someone else should live and then funnel millions of dollars into making sure they get a say in how someone else should live, I sit in astonishment.
I mean what kind of issue is this? Seriously. Is this a religious issue? I can understand how a country founded by the religious, but for religious freedom could be a little confused. Is it an ethical issue? I mean they said there was a lot of Mormon money funneled into the fight. I can also see how a group of people who rally for the ability of their elders to marry and impregnate children could be a little confused too. Many a black pastor claimed the proliferation of gay marriages could ruin the black family structure. I’ve always found this a topic worth discussion. However, would that be in the same way addiction, poor public education, an unfair justice system and all the other accoutrements of black life in this country have affected the family unit? And if the marriage ban sticks, do they think gay couples will immediately break up and begin living straight lives? I’m no expert, but I don’t think so. It’s way too convoluted for me to point fingers of blame, but clear enough for me to realize that path of logic is the abyss of oversimplifying.
You don’t have to agree with the “lifestyle”. You don’t have to participate in the lifestyle. You don’t have to know any g2y people. You don’t have to like any gay people. But what you should try to do is realize we all have lives to live and we should all have the ability to live them as close to happily as possible. So while your busy thumpin’ folks over the head with your dust covered, ain’t been opened since May of ’96 bible; stop coveting what your neighbor has, taking the Lords name in vain and disrespecting your ‘rents.
So as the vote by mail ballots, law suits and appeals start to flood in; I think about those two little old ladies who got married in June and were immediately embraced by the media. The pair had been together for 50-something years maybe? These are the people they are fighting; these two little old ladies who by the estimations of many don’t have the right to live their final days as they please.
Not only is that amazing, but it’s amazingly sad.
Shelz…
Great blog Shelz! And lol @ “…my intention to in any way step on Mr. Amani’s toes as I am wading in the shallow end of his pool.”
Actually, this blogs proves that you are quite deep in my pool! lol!
As has been said by many that black folk are a “spiritual” people. Talking to black people, I think their angst against Prop 8 is rooted in a religious tradition, that holds us bound to those very few scriptures, which “appear” to be a condemnation of homosexuality. The Bible speaks against many things as “sin,” including eating pork, shrimp, not honoring the Sabbath (Saturday), etc. Of course, we have answers for these “sins,” like Jesus did away with the law and so on….says who?
Historically speaking, this same dusty Bible in our homes was used to justify slavery! And indeed, there are seemingly valid scripture to support white people’s dominance over Africans. But, we as a people said, “hell no!” This is not what God wants!
Today, there is a wide body of secular and religious figures who are arduously trying to deconstruct the Bible’s polemic against homosexuality, to the dismay of a long religious tradition that has taught that homosexuality is indeed “sinful.” We hold this law above more egregious acts like “abortion” (murder). Something in us cannot fathom the thought that two men or two women could actually be attracted to each other and still be “normal.”
Many LGBT folk are offended with the term “lifestyle” (as we heteros see it). They say “lifestyle” involves “choice.” And they feel like it isn’t a choice no more than being black is a choice! This is how they were born.
Props to you on this blog! Thought-provoking & sensitive… I’m bewildered (and understanding of that 70% black vote against Prop
Religion is a mutha! …a thing that make you go hmmmm?
ma u know i think u fine as all hell but cali did wut da fuck dey was supposed to do. two niggas shouldnt be gettin fuckin married. two bitches either. fuck wat the stick mouth king khalil says. niggas no dat shit to and dats why dat shit aint go down. u heard me. i said niggas no dat shit to and dats why dat shit aint go down.
imma do my part to get rid of dese homo niggas.
yes we can.
ha@yes we can. not sure thats what Obama had in mind tho… and its not my job to decide whether those folks should get married. folks feel its immoral, but should we be legislating morality? my opinion is just that. my opinion. i dont think my opinion should be law.
hell yea dats wut obama had in mind. change is comin. we gonna change dese faggots into straight niggas again or dey gonna have to go undaground like terrorist. u heard me. i said we gonna change dese faggots into straight niggas again or dey gonna have to go undaground like terrorist.
yes we can
I may be late as hell on this blog however it does amaze me how we as a black community can say “Yes we can” and “um but you can’t” These same people screaming about the family structure are blind. Can you count at least 10 of your friends who had both parents in their lives? It is not my right to tell you no you can’t date that man because he makes more money than you. Or no you are black and she is white and thats not right. So what is different? Oh wait the fact that we can’t procreate there are heterosexual couples who don’t want kids anyway. There are also those who can’t/won’t stop creating leaving me and my tax dollars to care for them….Or is it the fact that one day you may have to sit down and talk to your kids about the birds and the bees ( which that one right there doesn’t make any sense either)
My mother is a strong christian and she embraced every teenager, young adult who parents shut them out. The gave them a place to stay when they kicked them out. We will be judged by the life we lived here on earth. We will be judged ALONE. I’m not sure if you can call up your homeboi to the front of the line and say “Ask Him, he’ll tell you I was good” Can you imagine Jesus comming back screaming “THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT!” Love is the key word. Two people love each other. How can rappers/preacher etc scream one love but hate other people??? I can go on and on but I love my life. I am blessed. B-Girl Popper HazeElements R.I.P my little brother
First, why does that dude keep repeating himself at the end of his sentences? Is that supposed to emphasize the apparent ignorance he is spouting? If so dude, stop it. I don’t need to know how dumb u r twice. The constitution of this country is founded on the premise that there is separation between church and state. Is marriage a legal issue or a moral issue. Well, I’ve been married twice and both times I did not think about how God viewed it or how the government considered me, I got married cause I loved my man. And I think that is why most people first get married. Later comes the “looking out for our future” kind of thing. I said this to say, while I believe love is a “spiritual” issue, in that we connect (if it is right) spiritually. But spirit doesn’t give a damn what package it comes in and neither should we. It is not any ones business who or how I love whoever I love, just that I have the freedom to do it in the way my “spirit ” tells me to do it. Marriage, shack, swing, it is not the business of the church to condone it or the state to condemn it. It is self righteous fuckery and that is that.
The same book ‘phobes use to justify hatred of gays, is the same book the racists
used to justify SLAVERY and LAWS AGAINST MIXED MARRIAGE! WHY DO Y’ALL
NIGGAZ STILL BUY INTO THE RELIGION THE SLAVE MASTERS FORCED ON
YO’ ASSES AFTER THEY DRAGGED YOU OVER FROM AFRICA?
Fag-bashin’ nigguhz keep repeatin’ Leviticus 18:22 like the shit is the only important line outta tha whole book and act like nuthin else in it. Y’all don’t give a fuck what ELSE the Bible says, just so long as it backs you against gays. But here’s what else tha fuckin’ “Holy Bile” says (and that ain’t a mis-spelling, its BILE!)
“…However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. (Leviticus 25:44-46)”
This is why white folk thought it was OKAY to drag you away to AmeriKKKa on ships!
“If you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for only six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom. If he was single when he became your slave and then married afterward, only he will go free in the seventh year. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife will be freed with him. If his master gave him a wife while he was a slave, and they had sons or daughters, then the man will be free in the seventh year, but his wife and children will still belong to his master. But the slave may plainly declare, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I would rather not go free.’ If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will belong to his master forever. (Exodus 21:2-6)”
This is why when a nigguh in slavery days went free, his mastah kept his kids and his woman!
“When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property. (Exodus 21:20-21)”
“You household servants must submit yourself to your masters, not only to those who are kind and fair, but also to those who are unjust.” (Peter 1 2:18)
“The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given.” (Luke 12:47-48)”
You really gon’ sit back and quote lines from a book that -JUSTIFIED- the brutalizing of your ANCESTORS?
Same shit y’all use to back homo hatin’ is the same shit
crackaz in the day used to back SEGREGATIN’ So why
the fuck would any self-respecting black be an Xtian?
THIS IS WHAT THEY USED BACK IN THA DAY TO JUSTIFY
THEIR HATRED TOWARDS RACIALLY MIXED COUPLES!
You wouldn’t get to have a mutha fuckin’ “Snowflake” if the
bull in the Bible was actually legally enforced like ya want!
“THE BIBLE COMMANDS SEGREGATION”
http://newchristiancrusadechurch.com/sermons/sermon3.htm
by Dr. Bertrand Comparet
In the Bible, God repeatedly warns us against any mixing of races … and especially against intermarriage and mongrelization. Some of this has been overlooked because of imperfect translations out of the Hebrew and Greek languages in which the Bible was written. Let us examine some of these passages, carefully noting the exact meaning of the words used in the original tongues.
From the very beginning, the commandment not to permit mongrelization is strongly emphasized. For example: EXODUS 33:16 “So shall we he separated, and all of Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” LEVITICUS 20:24 “I am the Lord thy God, which have separated you from other people.”
JOSHUA 23:12-13 “..if ye do in any wise go back and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them and they unto you: know for a certainty that they shall he snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish off from this good land which the Lord your God has given you. ”
DEUTERONOMY 7:3 “NEITHER SHALT THOU MAKE MARRIAGES WITH THEM: thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.”
Many warnings are given in the Bible not to mate with “the stranger.” But the Hebrew words translated “stranger” in these verses are “ZUWR”, “NEKAR”, and “NOKRI…and each one means a person of DIFFERENT RACE FROM OURS.
(There are other Hebrew words “ger” and “toshab”… meaning persons who are aliens only in a political sense, but of our race.) The warning against race mixing is always against those “strangers” who are, ZUWR, NEKAR or NOKRI. For example: PROVERBS 23:27 “For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange ZUWRI woman is a narrow pit.”
The reason for the warning is clear: MONGRELIZATION IS THE WORSE FORM OF “GENOCIDE”. If you kill 99% of a race; but leave the other l% pure-blooded, they will in time restore the race; but when you mongrelize them, you have destroyed that race eternally. Once mixed with the Black or Yellow Races, the White Race would be totally and forever destroyed. Hence, God has forbidden it.
PSALM 144:11-12 “Rid me and deliver me from the hand of strange [NEKAR] children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That OUR SONS may be as plants grown up in their youth, that OUR DAUGHTERS may he as the polished cornices of a palace. ”
JEREMIAH 2:21, 25 “Yet I planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed. HOW, THEN, ART THOU TURNED INTO THE DEGENERATE PLANT OF A STRANGE “ZUWR” VINF UNTO?, ME? * * Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst There is no hope: no: for I HAVE LOVED STRANGERS (ZUWR)) AND AFTER THEM WILL I GO.”
HOSEA 5:6-7 “They shall go with their flocks and their herds to seek the Lord, but they shall not find Him: He hath withdrawn Himself from them. THEY HAVE DEALT TREACHEROUSLY AGAINST THE LORD: FOR THEY HAVE BEGOTTEN STRANGE (ZUWR) CHILDREN.
NOAH WAS SAVED BECAUSE HE WAS PURE BLOODED, WHILE THOSE AROUND HIM WERE MONGRELIZED. Genesis 6:2, 4-5 record the forbidden mixing of races, and the evil results thereof. But of Noah, Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a just man, and perfect [Hebrew taw-meem without blemish in his generations [Hebrew 'to-led-aw'....descent, ancestry]. Hence, Noah and his family were saved while the mongrels were wiped out.
MONGRELIZATION IS THE SIN FOR WHICH SODOM AND GOMORRAH WERE DESTROYED!
JUDE 7 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving, themselves over to fornication, and GOING AFTER STRANGE FLESH are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”
Those who seek to force integration in the schools and churches are now beginning to admit that their real purpose is to bring about RACIAL INTERMARRIAGE. They have even deceived certain well-meaning but ignorant clergymen into helping them. Even without intermarriage, JUST ALLOWING NEGROES INTO THE WHITE CHURCHES IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD. Do you say, “I didn’t see that in my Bible?” That is only because mis-translation conceals it from you. No doubt, you were puzzled when you read the following: DEUTERONOMY 23:2 “A bastard shall not enter into the Congregation of the Lord: even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the Congregation of the Lord.”
You wondered at this, because an illegitimate child is not to blame for the sins of its parents; and why should the penalty extend for ten generations? They might all be legitimately born.
But the Hebrew word mistranslated “bastard” is the word “MAMZER”: It means a MIXTURE, A HALF-BREED OR MONGREL. It has nothing to do with whether a child’s parents were married, but it refers to THE FORBIDDEN INTERMIXTURE OF RACES. THAT IS WHY THE PENALTY EXTENDS FOR TEN GENERATIONS: and it shows how seriously God treats this sin. It is true that the mulatto child is not to blame for his parents sins: BUT HE IS STILL A MULATTO. The first generation would be half-breed; the second would have at least a quarter of the dark blood; the third at least 1/8; the fourth, 1/16; and so on. IN THE TENTH GENERATION, THE NEGRO BLOOD MAY BE AS SMALL AS ONE PART IN 1,024 …. YET GOD HIMSELF SAYS THAT THIS IS TOO MUCH TO BE ALLOWED TO “ENTER INTO THE CONGREGATION OF THE LORD.”