The LGBT community, like the rest of society discriminates based on the physical. I've lived in two different LGBT "meccas" and I have to say with both of them are very segregated and not very welcome to outsiders. This segregation isn't only regulated to ethnicity, but "social status" as well.Most of New York you can feel comfortable hanging out in, but in Chelsea there's no doubt that you're surrounded with LBGT folk. I've felt a sense of camaraderie with some black folk here in nyc, where that differs is in places like Chelsea. I'm a fan of Chelsea and it's coffee shops, bars and new computer store on 14th street and 9th Avenue. There's one experience that happens occasionally with black men I've seen in Chelsea...rudeness that could be construed as self hatred on their part. Here's a scenario.
I'm walking down the street and I see group of guys. In that group is a man of color (Black, African American). I say hello to the group and the black man makes a point not to acknowledge me even if his friends (all white) do. It's happened more than one, two or three times with different black men. I wasn't coming on to them, but nodded to say hi. They just continued forward purposefully ignoring me. The video put it beautifully. Did they felt that I would take away their prominence with their group of white friends? Go figure!
I'm still on that long journey of self love and acceptance, but one thing I know is that dating a white man doesn't take away or add to who you are. Who he is as a person does. I would like to find a supportive, easy going and affectionate individual. I doubt I would see that person right now, with my attitude, but that's another story.
All my life I've had friends of different backgrounds and have been accused of being a snow queen, Republican conservative all because certain people have only seen me with white folk. Oh boy! Maybe those black men that I've seen around Chelsea, think I'm judging them. I say, get over it! Get some thicker skin! Move to the burbs! This is New York City!
Where do we go from here...it saddens me that men of color don't see the beauty they possess because of the constant comparing to someone else's standard. I'll never have a 29 waist. My body isn't built that way! I love my skin can wear any color!
My note to people: Look at than man in the mirror! Learn to love him and make the world a better place.
3 comments:
This is not a geographically isolated 'phenomenon' Kevin. The one thing I guess I take from this is to ensure that I don't become that stereotypical gay person that have issues of self-hate and project it onto others.
Just look at Chelsea as a ZOO! It is filled with animals that requires a little flirting, a little devouring and a little romping. Like any 'farm', inhabitants build hierarchies often glamourised by the 'I' factor. The Community will one day self-destruct. People with low self- esteem need to feel that everything revolves around them so instinctively they provoke self-hate on others. They need to project a elitist persona; that they have something to offer like "SURVIVOR" beyond being physically different.
Someday they will understand that being a PRICK has nothing to do with colour; even if they have to learn it the hard way.
In the meantime, just stand back and observe because if you take it to somewhere positive, they can never hurt you with their silly "talk to the hand' attitude. People are more attracted to someone that is centred!
You're a good person Kevin...lets leave it at that!
True, it isn't a geographical phenomenon. I wanted to bring up an observation. It's not talked about very much and thought I would just bring up a moment I've had in NYC's gay ghetto.
We're on the same page Hadi. It's so much about perspective. In a perfect world I wish the community could come together more.
In a perfect world...the word 'hate' should not appear in the dictionary but alas humans are not perfect.
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