Summary of the Failure to Transform: Homophobia in the Black Community
Cheryl Clarke notes that the members of the LGBTQIA Community are often marginalized in the African American community. This is bearing in mind that the Black Community has been oppressed both overtly and systemically over the years. Interestingly, she excuses the rampant nature of homophobia in the Black Community because there is homophobia in the rest of the society.
This does not explain why the black community is often perceived as unwelcome by the LGBTQIA Community members. Often Black people are forced to choose between their sexual orientation and race. The fact that the black lesbians are the most oppressed group cannot be merely be blamed on the oppressive nature of White supremacy (Clarke, 1999). The black community is homophobic further oppresses the people, such as black, female, and gay.
Cheryl Clarke was courageous enough to call out the elite in the black community for propagating homophobia. Based on the fact that the elite in the Black Community is often male, they often speak against the members of the LGBTQ community. This often shows their devotion to the religious organization, be it in Christianity or Muslim. Interestingly, the oppression of the queer people in the Black Community is a replication of the oppression of the black people by the whites.
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The black heterosexual people ought to take care of the best interest of both them and the homosexual black people. Therefore all members of the black community are left better off. This may spill over to homosexual people in other races and communities (Clarke, 1999). I would concur that this process should educate the community on the importance of eradicating homophobia. Therefore, if the black liberation movement is true to its purpose, it ought to fight for the liberation of the members of the LGBTQIA.
Reference: The Failure to Transform: Homophobia in the Black Community
Clarke, C. (1999). The Failure to Transform Homophobia in the Black Community.‖ Pp. 32-33 in Dangerous Liaisons: Blacks, Gays and the Struggle for Equality edited by E. Brandt. Get College paper writing services today.
