I was reminded of the practice of “passing” yesterday. I am speaking African Americans, either by mixed heritage or genetic variation, were so light-skinned that they could “pass” as white. This act would alienate such individuals from their families, friends, and communities- but the price would grant them access to power and opportunities. It would spare them the ravages of racism and violence. It would keep them physically safe, and allow them to pursue educational, social, economic, and career opportunities that would never have been available to them as people of color in America. The problem: they had to live a lie every day, and live in fear of the unthinkable consequences of being found out.
Actually, I was reminded of “passing” when we were discussing closeted students in our schools. Being gay today carries with it social stigma, glass ceilings, threats of violence, insurmountable prejudice, and alienation from friends and family. So many find it easier to “pass” as straight than face these issues- but that certainly does not mean “passing” is easy. In order to be accepted, these students must reject themselves. They must live a lie.
It is very convenient that we have a more comfortable chronological distance between civil rights legislation and our environment today. Do the decades that have passed since the Civil Rights Movement mean that racism is over? Certainly not.
Our society is largely prejudiced toward and fearful of gay people. If we wait thirty or forty years until we feel it is more acceptable to speak of these things with our students, we will not have outlasted prejudice and hate toward those with “other” sexual orientation. However, if we allow dialogue- encourage dialogue- now, our courage might help our students (1 out of 10 of them) from living a lie and living in fear. This dialogue can supplement PROTESTS and DEMONSTRATIONS (emphasis added to prevent these being misconstrued as token gestures) such as “The Day of Silence.” The more these discussions and educational endeavors are enacted, the more experience our students and community will have confronting and understanding DIVERSITY in all its forms. After all…
PREJUDICE RARELY SURVIVES EXPERIENCE -Eve Zibart
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Growing up a racial minority in this day and age is easier than when my grandparents and even my parents were growing up, however, easier does not discredit the continual pain that they face daily...that is often more skirted.
Sexual orientaiotn discrimination is something that is masked and often hidden, one might hear hatred toward gays daily and no one will know that this person wittnessing this hate is gay because one doesn't wear gayness on their sleeve as race can been seen.
What happens then? Is there pain less b/c the bible says it's a sin?
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