Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Why no race blame game after the Maine loss?
A 365Gay history lesson: last year before the Proposition 8 vote, I wished it failed because I knew a few would jump on the “black people are such homophobes” line. Unfortunately Golden State citizens voted against marriage equality and that tired memo got a lot of play here and elsewhere. Research the site and read the comments. They ranged from folk informing me how “my brothers and sisters” screwed over the LGBT community to suggestions it would be a good idea for gays to discriminate against blacks in retaliation. Look at the stuff if you want.
On this week’s election night, was listening to WNYC, and Nate Silver was being interviewed. I have no issues with Silver, link to 538 all all the time and think he adds to the political discourse. It was early in the night and he was asked to give thoughts on what would happen in Maine. He noted the dearth of an African-American population in the state and said gay marriage would make it. A strange comment coming from a guy who threw needed cold water on those who decided to blame the small California black population for the Prop 8 defeat.
Well as we all know marriage rights did not make it in the Pine Tree State and to steal from one of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ readers here is the question for the day:
“Why are posters here, and the media generally, ignoring the fact that these results were driven by Maine’s overwhelming number of black churches?”
For those who don’t get it, the question is rhetorical and ironical.
Before a few of you throw up, let’s get the obvious out of the way. Homophobia, is a problem, no matter where it comes from. Too many blacks adopt a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy when it comes to sexuality. Oh we will groove to the music of Luther Vandross, and wonder out loud why he never found himself a wife. Or we will clap our hands in joyous celebration at the music on church Sunday but go silent when it’s announced the choir director is sick with a “blood disease.”
These realities of black-American life cannot, and should not be ignored; however, too many of us blithely support a narrative where homophobia is somehow purer in black and brown communities. Yes we have California, but there is also Washington, DC, and those who leaned on race to explain Prop 8 have been strangely silent on the DC City Council.
From Maine to California, many black, brown, and white faces will gladly vote against gay marriage. If there is anything that crosses the racial divide it’s bigotry for lesbians and gays.
James,
I won’t provide you with my opinion of the issue at hand, but I did want to let you know that I find it insulting when you suggest that people are “throwing up” when they voice disagreement or contempt for something you write. I’ve noticed that you include this literary technique in many of your posts. It is a nasty habit that is degrading to your readers.
First, I was just trying to point out that people tend to gloss over the fact that “white” is a race and that, to an even greater extent, we ignore the rampant homophobia of white people just because we, for some reason, expect more of black people. The whole reason oppression thrives is because those with power can always expect minorities to fight for the crumbs of power that fall from the table…even if that means they have to betray those who may have fought for/with them in the past. I’m sorry, I just don’t think it’s fair to blame the people…we should focus on the root of the problem.
Ok I dont get it sure whites have generations of being “above others”
but the black americans seem to have realy takin to having speical rights. Which fustrates the older generations of the lgbt comunity.Who were beaten & abused by police as they marched for blacks rights. Guess they expected some LOYILTY….. so there betrayal seems more damaging then the “christian” whites who we have never been alias!
Honestly, I don’t really think you can compare the fallout in California after Prop 8 to what is now happening in Maine. There are far too many variables.
While I wholeheartedly disagree with the assessment that blacks were somehow at “fault” for 8’s passage, I can (sorta’) understand why people jumped on that bandwagon. In an election year that included the first viable African American presidential candidate, people saw/expected a higher turnout for black voters…many of these voters voted for a Democrat (who I believe, deep down, truly believes in full marriage equality, but that’s just me) and also voted for Prop 8. Obama was not running in this election year and so that unique aspect simply does not come into play here.
Additionally, as mentioned above, it is my understanding that the racial make up of Maine is far different from California. I could be wrong, but if I’m not, that surely impacts the discussion of Maine’s mistake, I mean, vote.
Regardless, I do think we could look at race… if we really wanted to. Look at all those white people who voted for Question 1. We all know how much homophobia lurks in the white “community,” what with all their Catholic, Mormon, and Evangelical churches.
Thanks for this post. A lot of people don’t want to admit their own subtle racism, because we like to think we’re better than that, but you’re right that the reporting on Maine and DC has been different from California. We owe it to ourselves to acknowledge that and do better.
James Withers, you are right on the money. After prop 8 won in California there was a GBLT protest rally in front of San Francisco City Hall. A very fiery, passionate, and moving speech echoed off the surrounding buildings; condemning those voted to take away our rights and encouraging us to move forward. That speaker was a former colleague of MLK and he was a straight, African American pastor.
There is really no one person or group you can blame for the way these votes turn out. I think people would prefer to place blame to give the appearance the vote was within their control. The only really good news is that 58% of 18-36 y/o still favor marriage equality. In 15 years when all the current 65-80 y/o are dead the current younger generation is more established and an even younger more tolerant generation is coming into voting age we will win these votes by landslides….. We just have to stay cool calm collected and civil till than.
@Withers
The regression model Silver developed to forecast the results this year used percentage of whites in the population as a predicting variable. That piece of data was statistically significant at a 95% confidence level in his model, so he used it.
I doubt Nate is racist, and I question the usefulness of such a variable, but I’m just providing a logical explanation for why he may have said what he said.
Honestly the majority of “straight” black men do tend to be a bit more on the homophobic side. It’s just part of the common case of the opressed becoming the opressors. Look how Israel has been bullying the palestinians after WWII. I just find it funny that it’s just white people who are viewed as the main oppressors when in all seriousness EVERYBODY is capable of that. Some gay people would rather not have the T in GLBT. Some lesbians would rather not associate with Gays although i don’t blame them when plenty of homo men tend to go a bit on the slutty side in the name of rights when really it’s just being brazen. The GLBT community has a long way to go in respecting each other before we can seriously expect respect from the non GLBT who make up the greater majority. BTW my skin tone is white I am gay-bicurious, my two mothers are divorced, and a good portion of my biological siblings and even possibly myself are pertorican on the side of my step/biological father. half of my family that adopted me is jewish and yeah i sort of dissagree with how people went about creating a “new” Israel and as long as any wars are still going on i will not be surprised if the world really does end in 2012. We don’t need war.PERIOD!
Mr. Withers:
Perhaps the fact that Maine has, per capita, fewer blacks than any other state might – just might – answer your question.
Actually, the blaming of blacks in California is, I agree, misplaced. The actual enemy is RELIGION – a disease that affects all humans regardless of their skin shade.
Until that drawback to human progress is overcome, I;m afraid that red herrings such as race or nationality are going to attract ‘blame’ for the effects of bigotry and hatred – when the true villain remains off limits.
Dr. Ian,
“Quite a few of your editorials imply that we as a community need to turn down the heat from Obama.”
For you to type this means you are not a careful reader. Enjoy your day.
James
James,
What’s wrong with being a fervent Obama supporter? That only means you have strong loyalty to him.
I am indeed a careful reader. Quite a few of your editorials imply that we as a community need to turn down the heat from Obama. He wanted the job–he got it. He needs to go back and read a little quote from President Harry Truman: “If you can’t the heat, get out of the kitchen!”.
We are a core constituency with high concentrations in SEVERAL swing states (like New Jersey). I’m a reasonable guy–I know Obama can’t do everything for everybody. But he has some SERIOUS repair work to do in the gay community.
Dr. Ian,
“You are such a fervent Obama supporter–he cast his campaign and presidency as being post-racial.”
I wish you would pay more attention. To call me a “fervent Obama” supporter means you are not a careful reader.
You will get no argument from me about homophobia in the black community. I made that clear. Many a time.
James
Mr. Withers, I REALLY wish you could find a way to move beyond race. You are such a fervent Obama supporter–he cast his campaign and presidency as being post-racial.
But of course, the race-thing is always lurking out there. It is true that there is a LARGE amount of homophobia in the Black community. That is a fact. It is equally true there is a LARGE amount of homophobic bigotry in every state of the country.
We need to UNITE: gay & lesbian; black, white, latino, asian, etc. Otherwise, we will never get anywhere.
Other than being a rather racially oriented “..See, I told you this wasn’t our fault!”…what was the point of this post?
I don’t believe anyone thinks that bigotry and homophobia are unique to any single demographic. All anyone needs to do is look at the 31 straight losses of votes on Same sex marriages across the country to see that homophobia runs across all colors, socio-economic classes, backgrounds, cultures, religions, etc. The same old story of how oppressed blacks are by “the man” is really out of place in the context of GLBT issues and our current, non-responsive President. Here’s a quarter, call someone that gives a shit if a certain ethic group feels they are being unfairly blamed for the losses in Maine and California and stop thinking your “race, gender, religion, culture, etc” is the center of the universe..it’s not! There is no “I” in the word “TEAM”…Back-biting and paranoia won’t win us any votes…get over it and lets gear up for the next vote!