"I believe that there will ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those that do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the systems of exploitation."  - Malcolm X

First my heart broke, and then I got mad.  I'm disgusted that it has been over two weeks since this brutal attack on a woman and this is the first I've heard of it.  According to the Associated Press, on Dec 13, a 28-year-old woman was brutally gang raped and left naked and for dead by 4 men, simply for the fact that she was a lesbian.  Lesbian's brutal gang rape investigaged.
I'm sorry, but the discussion about whether there are parallels between the gay rights and the civil rights movement need to come to an end.  If this rape had happened to a middle-class, white, church-going, 28-year-old, there would be national outcry for the victim.  If I hadn't read the article carefully, I might have thought that the article was about a 28-year-old black girl getting raped. 

I'm tired of this America!  I'm tired of us allowing this to happen.  It doesn't matter what the discrimination is based on, it matters that it exists, and we allow it to exist.  Not only do we allow it to exist, we aide it by the prejudice crap we teach our children and we spew in our pulpits.  Black folks, if you really feel that the struggles are different, and us black folks had it worse, then that should not make you alienate the GLBT community!  Those who had it the worst, should be the most compassionate, and the greatest defenders of those being oppressed, or do you just feel you need to have your chance with your hand on the whip as well!

My perspective is a unique one.  I belong to that small group that belongs to both the black camp, and the GLBT camp.  I am a black, gay man, and in my head, there is no distinction.   Since I see no distinction, I am going to call on the wisdom of one of the heroes and martyrs of the black, civil rights movement; Malcolm X. 

In regards to the recent failed attempt of the GLBT community to keep proposition 8 and other propositions limiting the freedoms and equality of GLBT Americans I believe that Malcolm would have said:

"Stumbling is not falling."

"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time."  - Malcolm X

Our failure was simply our starting point.  It was our Rosa Parks moment.  The perfect situation to mobilize and centralize and catalyze our community and our movement.

In regards to the recent community based demonstrations around the country I believe he would have explained it in this manner:

"I for one believe that if you give people a thorough understanding of what confronts them and the basic causes that produce it, they'll create their own program, and when the people create a program, you get action." - Malcolm X

The next one is scheduled for January 10th, at your respective city hall.  Please come out and support and wear your white ribbon.

I know this next statement may be a difficult one for some to swallow, but studies have shown that when someone has a personal relationship with someone of the GLBT community, they are more likely to support equal rights for us.  As a result, I think it is every persons duty, responsibility, and yes, even sacrifice to come out and let those in your life know that you are a part of the GLBT family.

"When a person places the proper value on freedom, there is nothing under the sun that he will not do to acquire that freedom. Whenever you hear a man saying he wants freedom, but in the next breath he is going to tell you what he won't do to get it, or what he doesn't believe in doing in order to get it, he doesn't believe in freedom. A man who believes in freedom will do anything under the sun to acquire . . . or preserve his freedom." - Malcolm X

Need I remind all of you, that had we lost the revolutionary war, then George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Hancock, every single one of them would have been hanged for high treason, and been considered the worst of all human beings in the eyes of history?  Freedom, and equality was their goal [at least for most Americans] and their victory made them our champions.  I know what it is like to have the hopes, fears and expectations of an entire community of Americans riding on your shoulders.  I didn't just go to college, I went knowing that only several years before the first of my kind was alienated, looked down upon, and shunned for even attempting to be there.  I owed it to all who came before me, to succeed.  It is a great weight, but one the GLBT community needs to learn how to bear.

Another reason I think he would encourage all to come out and stand up and be counted is this:

"A [community] of people is like an individual man; until it uses its own talent, takes pride in its own history, expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself." - Malcolm X

It was a true statement for the Black community, it is a true statement now for the GLBT community.  We do not have to conform to anyone's standards to be equal.  The fact that we are human beings makes us equal regardless of the different ways that we may see the world, or handle our affairs.  For us to be succesful in our fight for equality, we need to bring the talents of our community to the forefront.  I doubt you can whole-heartedly fight for the equal protection of your community, if you feel your community is in some way subordinate to another. Drop this straight-acting, gay-acting divisive mumbo jumbo and be free to live your lives.  The gay community owes a great debt to the drag queens of the Stonewall era.  It is not time to villafy any in our community,  nor their expressions or their celebrations.  If it takes a million-tranny march on Washington to ensure our equal protection under the law, I expect to see ya'll strap on your red dresses and get to marchin!!

I'll end it with a video of Malcolm himself.  It only takes a bit of mental gymnastics to switch out the color references with those of sexual orientation/gender identity. 

Who Taught You To Hate Yourself?