"I love Black Men!"
A phrase which makes this Black Gay man wince more than just a bit when coming from a White Gay man trying to pick me up. So many times it's not only about the fact I know it's a lie of sorts. But if it were true, what has been done to show it.
What came to mind with the year's marijuana news flashes is hearing about two white men who got away with using or possessing what so many black men have not. In large quantities, all too often. How skin color becomes the difference between forgiveness and hell. Because society lets this be so.
I have white gay male friends who are good people. I have heard far too few acknowledge how they got away with drug use or possession due to class or skin color. Any open admission that they were allowed the freedom and liberty to live and enjoy and personally progress with their lives because they are white men. I do know this will blow some minds to see me say this in print. It is not about guilt. It is not about them. It is about justice. As the races once joined loudly and openly in the fifties sixties seventies for racial civil rights, current generations have gone selfishly silent about the ramifications of figuring all is fine. There is nothing left to have to do for anyone below me.
I am so glad to know Chris Hayes understands - and is willing to explain to anyone willing to listen - how his being white kept him out of an almost certain drug possession arrest.
How afraid is David Brooks to at least call for reasonable or fair treatment regardless of class. Teenagers should be allowed to make mistakes and become grown adults. But this piece shows how the ability to fly over real life affects one's future views. David Brooks has affluenza, it does appear.
And it's probably gone through your head about what politician's kids were doing and got away with. Which is not, of course, any suggestion about motive for actions. Rather, an example of using power to correct flawed laws that unevenly affect lives. Besides, post ACA, medical marijuana is probably going to get more scrips. May as well make it easier to get.
That Colorado is mostly white, no one has to be told. But isn't it fascinating how every major media drop of coverage is stepping past that comparison of, say, "Stop and Frisk" to "One Million Dollars In New Tax Revenue From Wealthy Folks?" Or why/how some states like New York devote whole industries to incarceration while someone in Colorado will pay a $1000 nuisance fine for if carrying the same substance at the Denver Airport? The insanity of black drug arrests to the mostly white states openly allowing marijuana use? Or how the notion of the Denver Airport being a 'no pot zone' with a thousand dollar fine looks to anyone involved with the mostly black arrests in other places across the country for the same drug.
What ties this in with gay men is having run into so many white men who are looking for a black male partner. Not for penis size. For other reason like contrasting colors or opinions. Or just a guy who shares their interests. And because of issues like income inequality and the war on drugs, the options are rather limited. But do white gay men still fight for the life opportunities and issues of the men they profess to love. Or for equality of men of color in any shade.
Immigration reform as an example where desire in the heart is leading to change across the country. Desire should be a fuel for the taking of the reigns on social issues. Affecting the ability for anyone to have a choice of someone whose own conditions make them a better, more realistic option as an Equal Partner.
Privilege does mean responsibility to create fairness. Regardless of race, sex or sexuality. To the white gay men who truly do love black men - republican to democrat to independent, here is an issue to get loud about.