The Critical Topic of Queerness when Raising Black Youth
City of Dreams often thinks about the consequences of a disadvantaged young life. Minimal societal exposure, reinforced, outdated rhetoric–all factors to be considered when contributing to the childhoods of Black youth in poverty. The injustices of this childhood can restrict the youth from becoming informed on topics that can directly impact them. When we approach critical conversations, we aim to direct this dialogue towards them: what has been their experience, how do they perceive it, is there apprehension with it being brought up? Our initiatives aim to influence the development of formed opinions, created through critical analysis and thought. When discussing Black queerness and the LGBTQ+ community, we hope that our youth can acknowledge its history, misinterpreted status, and blossoming future.
The critical topic of Black queerness is classified as such because of its erasure in school curriculum, the shadowing of hyper-masculinity, and the white experience, among many other things (1). American school curriculum is long acknowledged as white-centric, contributing to the gaps in Black and African American histories. With the power to mold the minds of society, the American curriculum has a distant understanding of Black narratives. Informed in this diluted way are the consciousnesses of those who pursue careers that require an all-encompassing reach, like the medical field (2).
According to Aids Map (3), a database working to inform on the aids virus, Black, queer individuals are among the most mistreated and over-represented in the aids infection rate. Black men report significantly less partners and unsafe or risky behaviors compared to white counterparts, yet HIV disproportionately affects this population over others. Why? Black, queer individuals face a higher likelihood of a damaged relationship with healthcare providers because of the marginalization associated with these two intersecting identities. Being Black and Queer carries stigmas that many misinterpret as needing to be one over the other–that Black people must either choose to be Black or choose to be queer. When healthcare is involved, Black individuals have reported apprehension with telling their doctor of their ailments in fear of facing discrimination, so they don’t at all (3). Ground Zero at City of Dreams pushes to prepare the youth for future conditions that may curb their readiness to receive necessary treatments. By prioritizing wellness above all else, the youth are introduced to what it means to live healthy lives that push past the borders placed around them.
The critical topic of Black queerness comes with heavy conversations on violence, discrimination, and sometimes comparisons to the white experience. Recently, our youth participated in a Violence Prevention workshop to discuss situational problem solving, why POC hate exists, and how to spot mistreatment. A strong part of our Ground Zero initiative is to present a space for bravery and compassion. The space is open to conversations on things like: how the Black man is forced by his community to be hyper-masculine, or how elder generations tend to view queerness as a phase (1). By giving these developing minds space to interpret their experiences around queerness in their own community, we are encouraging the formation of identities independent from those that face neglect, discrimination, and misunderstanding.
Our goal is to inform our kids on the misconceptions of these two intersecting identities. It is easier to deny the presence of homophobia, hyper-masculinity, religious precedence, and healthcare inequality to those that do not face it. Instead, an informed community with the ability to distinguish when they are being treated unfairly, is a prioritized system when dealing with anti-Blackness and anti-LGBTQ.
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Sources:
(1) Johnson, D'antae. “11 students explain what being queer, Black, and proud means to them.” GLAAD, 19 February 2019, https://www.glaad.org/amp/11-students-explain-what-being-queer-black-and-proud-means. Accessed 9 June 2022.
(2) Monari, Michelle. “Homophobia's dark presence in the Black community – North Texas Daily.” North Texas Daily, 29 October 2020, https://www.ntdaily.com/homophobias-dark-presence-in-the-black-community/. Accessed 9 June 2022.
(3) Samuel, Krishen. “Being black and gay: how intersectional stigma impacts on the uptake of PrEP.” Aidsmap, 17 May 2019, https://www.aidsmap.com/news/may-2019/being-black-and-gay-how-intersectional-stigma-impacts-uptake-prep. Accessed 9 June 2022.