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.