I am made of cliche / Why I'm wearing purple

[browngirl]

I have spent my day so far listening to the five different versions of "Defying Gravity" I own, stuffing envelopes, writing and privating posts, and trying not to cry.

I want to thank everyone who replied to my past two posts. I'm going to write back, and I am blushing, and I might have had to go wash my face, but my coworkers didn't ctch me so I think it's all okay. Really, though, thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

Also, I'm wearing purple today for Spirit Day. This is, as astute commenters have pointed out, just one action out of many towards combating bullying, homophobia, and the nexus thereof. I work in a school and I live with children; I think every day about how to help prevent bullying, and discuss the issue with my coworkers.

I have two particular reasons for participating in Spirit Day, though. Both are part personal and part related to other people, but they're mine.

One relates to the past. To make a long story privacy-protectingly short, in years past the school where I work lost its GSA (verb chosen ... advisedly). In recent years we've regained it as a Social Issues Club; Spirit Day was advertised with posters, and last week we wore rainbow ribbons for Coming Out Day. I am delighted by this change in the school, and want to support it.

One relates to the future. When Proposition 8 passed I was made searingly conscious of how many people believe Black people are all or mostly homophobic. I realized that I can't just say 'of course I'm not homophobic', especially in places where I know I represent Black people (such as this school, where I'm the only Black staff member and one of two nonWhite staff members). I have to make a statement that I'm not, over and over, to combat the idea that Black people are a priori homophobic, to let the LGBT kids here know that they're safe with me and that they can rely on me, and maybe get them thinking that they don't have to expect bigotry from Black people as a matter of course. So among other things I made sure that today I wore purple.

I'm feeling a little better, not least after a wonderful phone call from WD. And I should get back to work.

Comments

[bearfairie.livejournal.com]

*hugs and more hugs*

I'm feeling emotional today, and your post made me want to hug you. fiercely and a lot. Yay for the compassion and courage it takes to be a visible ally.

[purlewe.livejournal.com]

love love love.

I know it comes from far away but I hope you feel it.

[anodyna.livejournal.com]

I had a nice comment written for one of your earlier posts but it got eaten by the internet in a post-disappearance anomaly, such a tragic way for a comment to go! You know I think you're marvelous and awesome and thought-provoking, though, so ♥!

I hadn't thought about the point you raise here, so I'm glad you mentioned it. And I'm glad you're in purple today, because I know it will mean something to the students who need to see it.

On the side of inspiration and countering stereotypes, did you see this thing of beauty from earlier this week? Essence Magazine features its first lesbian wedding. (via azephirin's tumblr and probably a lot of other places)

*hugs and hugs and hugs*

[rattyfleef.livejournal.com]

Hugs and purple-wearing high-five!

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

icon

because I can only use one userpic per comment

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

... also icon

[asimaiyat.livejournal.com]

*hugs from me, too*

Grr, I hate when people try to blame a particular, usually less privileged group for bigotry. Like "those black people are so homophobic," "those poor people are so racist," "those foreign people are so sexist," etc. It's like, first of all it puts all the blame on people who already have enough crap to deal with, and second of all, it totally lets the vast majority of bigots off the hook! Seriously, people, there is no "Get Out Of Self-Examination Free" card. /rant

Now that that's off my chest, lots of vibes and gratitude for taking part in Spirit Day. I think the kids at your school are lucky to have you as an ally.

[quietann.livejournal.com]

/hugs

I think I was one of the people who set you off, WRT Proposition 8. I am sorry for doing that. I can't say, from my position of relative privilege, that I will never do so again.

(And good g-d, I am using this usericon a lot, but...)

I happen to be wearing green today. A whole lot of green corduroy...

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

*sigh* "Black people are homophobic" makes it sound as if all Black people share a brain.

Each Black person is an individual.
Each white person is an individual.
Each gay person is an individual.
Each straight person is an individual.
Each woman is an individual.
Each man is an individual.

Why is this such a difficult concept for so many people to grasp?

I mean, yeah, culture exists, and yeah, it has an influence, and yeah, people from Culture X probably share many of Culture X's values, but respecting differences among cultures doesn't mean treating people from those cultures as if they're all the same.

Preaching to the choir, I know. :-)

[melissima.livejournal.com]

*is also wearing purple today* /high fives/

That crap about "black people are homophobic" is so irritating.

Some people are homophobic. Some homophobic people are black, just like a lot of white people are. argh. /headdesk/

/Hugs/

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Love and honor to you for this. It had slipped my mind earlier, but I will be sure to wear purple when I go out again later!

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

*hugs and hugs*

I always do my best to teach tolerance and all to my students, even though I only get them for 30 minutes a day...

As you well know, the Caribbean has the reputation of being homophobic, and some of hte comments I've seen on articles at the Trinidad Express are really appalling. But my friend E. came out while I was still there (came out publicly, I mean, like on her very well read blog), and I was so moved and pleased by the utter support she received from people of all cultural backgrounds in Trinidad (and outside of Trinidad). It gave me such a lift. (And for the record, she is Black).

[cyan-blue.livejournal.com]

It's especially important to wear purple around kids today. Glad you did.