Breakfast at Tiffany's – Because I Do Not Know

Malcolm XXX

Speaking of Outrage!, the same Peter Tatchell quoted below published this article in The Guardian in May.

Malcolm X was born 80 years ago today, on 19 May 1925. But amid the commemorations, controversy is brewing. Some black activists are enraged by suggestions that their hero might have been gay - or at least bisexual.

The controversy has been stirring since the publication of Bruce Perry's acclaimed biography, Malcolm: The Life of a Man Who Changed Black America (Station Hill, New York) in 1991. Based on interviews with Malcolm's closest boyhood and adult friends, Perry suggests that the US black nationalist leader was not as robustly heterosexual as his Nation of Islam (NoI) colleagues have always insisted.

Why is this important?

There is not a single world-famous black person who is openly gay. Young black lesbians and gays need role models. Who better than Malcolm X, one of the inspirations of my activism and one of the great modern heroes of black liberation?

So true. Several of my gay friends who are black readily identify with "white" culture. I've often wondered why. Maybe this is an explanation. I'd like to know more about this subject, if others have thoughts.

4 comments Jake McCafferty last posted at 6:09 PM
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4 Comments:

Homophobia thrives where people don't realize many folks they love might be or are gay. The more faces (whatever color they may be) we can put on it, the better off everyone is.

I've identified with "white" culture more readily. It's an easier place to fit into as a 'Mo.

Of course, I also grew up the San Fernando Valley, so I say "dude" a lot which makes me pretty white without the whole gay ID thing. :)

By Jay Six, at 10:16 PM

That's crazy, I have never really thought about that. That is quite an interesting topic, I hope you get more feedback.

By Matt S., at 10:53 AM

FB, you should do your own post. I'd be interested to read your thoughts.

By Jake McCafferty, at 6:53 PM

If you would like to post it, FB, you're welcome to put it on my site as a guest blogger. No one can accuse me of keeping it light. LOL.

By Jake McCafferty, at 6:09 PM