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TechnographTroubling trends with black America and homophobia
Similarities between minorities should be embraced, not used to further divide historically disadvantaged peoples
By Jon Monteith
Posted: 2/19/07 Section: Opinion Columns
Former Miami Heat guard and five-time All-Star Tim Hardaway caused quite a stir last week after sharing some rather unedited thoughts on gay people. His remarks came during a radio interview just one week after John Amaechi became the first former NBA player to disclose his homosexuality. Here's a glimpse of what he had to say:
"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."
Hardaway later issued an apology through his agent, although it's almost too much of a 180 turn to be convincing. Regardless, there is a bigger problem at hand, and it needs to be addressed: Hardaway is merely the latest member of a sizeable group of black celebrities to make anti-gay remarks. Recently, star of Grey's Anatomy Isaiah Washington was widely rebuked for his use of a gay slur while referring to co-star T.R. Knight, who was subsequently forced to come out of the closet last October. And there is no shortage of black musicians (DMX, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, to name a few) and athletes (Jerome Bettis, Allen Iverson) who have had accusations of homophobia leveled against them.
I realize there are plenty of white homophobes out there as well. However, I would expect anti-gay sentiment to be an issue among straight white people, who comprise a powerful majority in this country and therefore cannot truly relate to the discrimination and constant struggle for equal treatment that gay people face. The black community, and any other targeted racial minorities, to be fair, cannot say the same.
I understand the distinction. We must acknowledge that historically, African Americans have undergone unique suffering at the hands of whites - gay whites included. Blacks cannot hide their skin color, and although gay people should not be expected to disguise their sexual orientation, it is possible for them to do so in a threatening situation. I also realize that as a gay white man, I cannot possibly relate to the double minority status of LGBT men of color or the three-pronged discrimination facing LGBT women of color.
"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."
Hardaway later issued an apology through his agent, although it's almost too much of a 180 turn to be convincing. Regardless, there is a bigger problem at hand, and it needs to be addressed: Hardaway is merely the latest member of a sizeable group of black celebrities to make anti-gay remarks. Recently, star of Grey's Anatomy Isaiah Washington was widely rebuked for his use of a gay slur while referring to co-star T.R. Knight, who was subsequently forced to come out of the closet last October. And there is no shortage of black musicians (DMX, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent, to name a few) and athletes (Jerome Bettis, Allen Iverson) who have had accusations of homophobia leveled against them.
I realize there are plenty of white homophobes out there as well. However, I would expect anti-gay sentiment to be an issue among straight white people, who comprise a powerful majority in this country and therefore cannot truly relate to the discrimination and constant struggle for equal treatment that gay people face. The black community, and any other targeted racial minorities, to be fair, cannot say the same.
I understand the distinction. We must acknowledge that historically, African Americans have undergone unique suffering at the hands of whites - gay whites included. Blacks cannot hide their skin color, and although gay people should not be expected to disguise their sexual orientation, it is possible for them to do so in a threatening situation. I also realize that as a gay white man, I cannot possibly relate to the double minority status of LGBT men of color or the three-pronged discrimination facing LGBT women of color.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Francisco
posted 2/19/07 @ 7:45 PM CST
Great column, Jon.
It reminded me of the story that came out 10 days ago about Wal-Mart and some other huge corporations teaming up with the SEIU and other unions and progressive policy groups in advocating for universal health care. (Continued…)
lynn
posted 2/19/07 @ 9:44 PM CST
I do not defend Hardaways comment because I dont agree with Hating a whole group of people. I do wonder why he feels that way.The word homo (is obvious) phobic (am illogical or unsubstatiated fear or aversion), Just because some one does not like gay behavior or gay politics etc does not mean they are phobic of gays. (Continued…)
aspasia
posted 4/15/07 @ 10:05 AM CST
I have to say that everyone expects Blacks to sympathize with every other culture disciminated against by the mainstream. What I want to say however is that I recall Jews being involved in the Civil Rights movement but few gay activists were by our side. (Continued…)
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