Shades of equality

January is the month in which we celebrate the life and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His dream of equality still lives and resounds loudly in a country that seems to take so many steps forward but so many back at the same time. My dream for the world is to stop judging and start loving…but I tend to dream big, so I will keep it to a minimum for this issue and be specific.

Many Americans of African descent feel let down by the justice system by police brutality across the nation. I had a conversation with some black elders and they told me that they feel as though “black gays” should be extra cautious and to think twice about being who they are.

One elder, around 70 years of age, stated, “Well if the police can still get away with killing black people in the 21st century, I don’t think it would be wise for a black person to say they are gay. It poses more of a threat.” To that I said, “To me you should not worry about what people will do to you regardless of your race or sexuality, there is not wrong or right time to be you.”

He paused and shrugged his shoulders. We often say that “Oh it’s just that old thinking; they come from a different time.” But in reality, there have always been brave black people willing to fight for justice and civil rights. Why would it be any different now?

Dr. King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” There is not a right or wrong time to fight for what you believe in. The march towards civil rights includes discrimination of any kind, not just racial. To exclude sexual orientation or gender identity from civil rights would be like a person condoning violence against women yet condemning child abuse. Wrong is wrong, and right is right.

My hope for 2015 would be to see the African American community and the LGBT community join together in the fight for equality. If there is a march or a protest against injustice, the beautiful shades of brown should be intertwined with the vibrant shades of the rainbow. What a beautiful sight that would be.

The time is now to join forces for a stronger voice without separation. I leave you with another MLK quote. "Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable...Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals."

By Mahkesha Hogg Paige, LGBT Black Issues Columnist

The Gayly – January 18, 2015 @ 10:40am.