(ThyBlackMan.com) In a May 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated, Jason Collins said, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”
Almost one year later during an interview with The New York Times, University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam said, “I’m Michael Sam. I’m a football player, and I’m gay.”
Collins was the first openly gay athlete playing on a major American sports team, and now Michael Sam could possibly become the first openly gay player in the NFL.
After his announcement Sunday Feb. 9, CBSSports.com dropped Sam 70 spots in its draft rankings from no.90 to no.160 (although reports are saying the drop did not have to do with his announcement).
Like Collins, people are praising this young man for his “courage” and deeming him a “hero.”
Remember when Collins came out last year and Michelle Obama tweeted, “So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! —mo”
Well, Michael Sam’s “bravery” was no different, as the FLOTUS also
You’re an inspiration to all of us, @MikeSamFootball. We couldn’t be prouder of your courage both on and off the field. –mo
I even read that Collins was one of the FLOTUS’ guests at last month’s State of the Union Address. The other two were survivors of the Boston Marathon.
It seems that there is a new trend of “gay sensationalism.” FrankOcean came out as a Black musician with ties to the hip-hop and R&B worlds….he’s a hero.
Then Collins tells the public he’s a gay athlete…he’s a hero.
Now Michael Sam wants the world to know that he’s a gay prospective NFL player….and yup, you guessed it, he’s a hero as well.
It’s like the media is obsessed with those who decide to publicly come out, praising their actions like homosexuality is the new “it” thing to be.
Like this current fascination with twerking, anything that relates to homosexuality is put on a special platter to be ohhed and awed.
And I think that’s all fine and dandy, but my confusion lies in two things that seem to keep coming with this:
1. Why is a person—well truly a celebrity—considered a “hero” because he or she revealed his or her sexual orientation to the world? If people were “born this way” as they claim, and being a lesbian or gay is truly who they are and how they were created, why is their public declaration of this supposedly natural part of who they are such an accomplishment? And I ask these questions more so for the media outlets and people who deem them as such.
Of course we all know that those in the LGBT community have endured many hardships because of who they are and their lifestyles. But so have minorities, and women, and low-income workers, and middle class Americans. I mean everyone faces hardships due to some facet of their lives. Women have been oppressed for being women; the poor continue to be at a disadvantage when it comes to America’s political structure (1 percent of wealthy controlling everything) because they are poor. Sure, the debate could go on and on about certain groups—the uninsured for example—not being discriminated against for some feature or characteristic they were “born with” but it doesn’t negate the fact that all groups of people experience prejudice, injustices and hardships in life due to some aspect of their lives.
So, again, I don’t see why embracing your sexual orientation is such a heroic endeavor. Millions of African American women around the world are chopping off their relaxed roots and embracing their natural hair—something they were born with and cannot help, as I’ve heard those in (and who support) the LGBT community say. But why aren’t these women getting invited to White House events?
Little black girls are constantly told by the images in the media and messages in music that they aren’t pretty enough, smart enough, desirable enough and worth enough. They are constantly oppressed for who they are, yet still, each day many choose to openly embrace and proudly display their heritage. Like the LGBT community, what makes them them isn’t out rightly celebrated or accepted by society, yet many choose to “come out” anyway—where are their endorsements and praises?
I’m sure many won’t agree, but I see no justification in deeming someone who has come out of the “closet” as a hero when society doesn’t do the same for others who are oppressed daily for how they’re made yet still choose to embrace who they are.
The bravery of the Boston Marathon survivors in no way compares to that of a gay athlete who came out, and the fact that he was selected as a guest alongside those two confuses me. But if we’re going to stand up and celebrate those who are embracing being “born this way” then I see no reason why the woman who is constantly put down because she’s not society’s standard of beauty yet still decides to forgo the extensions, butt implants and skin bleaching creams for her natural shape, skin color and hair texture shouldn’t be commended as well.
2. My second gray area with this rise of “gay sensationalism” is how the media attacks those who openly express their views on the matter. People are making the decisions to tell the public about their sexual orientation, yet when someone else makes the decision to comment about his/her declaration, all of a sudden this free speech is wrong. It’s like no one can say ANYTHING negative about homosexuals without being crucified, even if the person is just sharing how he/she feels.
It’s like the media is pushing an agenda on folks: You must love and openly praise anything related to homosexuals or you are bad, wrong, ignorant, hateful and will be struck down.
Is this not still America? Of course we don’t want everyone running around saying crazy things about others, but if we’re going to protect one’s freedom of speech, we have to uphold this section of the constitution for all. We can’t only support those who agree with someone’s public declaration and then condemn all those who don’t. Just as the person has the right to stand up in front of the world and say “I’m gay and I’m proud,” others have the right to stand right beside him or her and say “I don’t approve of this” or “I do support this.” (And you can’t say, “Well why do they have to share if they approve or not” because the question can be flipped and asked, “Why does he/she have to openly announce their sexual orientation?)
Those in and who support the LGBT community shouldn’t be reprimanded for speaking out about their views and neither should those outside the community and people who don’t support this. If a person can publicly proclaim he/she is gay and receive endorsements and praises, then someone who publicly disagrees with his/her announcement shouldn’t receive criticism and disdain. It should not be one-sided where people feel like they have to support this community for fear of being ostracized for their beliefs. I mean think about it: Isn’t the way folks are so quick to slam someone who expresses their viewpoint the same way people slam those in the LGBT community? We’re hindering the freedom of speech and public expression—the very freedom that this group is advocating for.
Staff Writer; Shala Marks
Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/shala.marks
Service is her passion, writing is her platform, women and the Black Community are her avenues. Shala Marks is a writer, editor and soon-to-be author. Through her work, Marks aspires to demonstrate “The Craft of Writing, and the Art of Efficacy.” She has a B.A. in journalism from Arizona State University. Connect with her over at http://www.ShalaMarks.com.
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Sista Shala...
You asked..."If people were “born this way” as they claim, and being a lesbian or gay is truly who they are and how they were created, why is their public declaration of this supposedly natural part of who they are such an accomplishment?"
It's not an accomplishment at all, these so-called "heroes" are simply being used to promote the continued destruction of the Black Race. This even relates to the countless examples of promoting interracial relationships with Black men with White women...BUT hardly-ever with so-called "Jewish" women.
You also asked..."So, again, I don’t see why embracing your sexual orientation is such a heroic endeavor. Millions of African American women around the world are chopping off their relaxed roots and embracing their natural hair—something they were born with and cannot help, as I’ve heard those in (and who support) the LGBT community say. But why aren’t these women getting invited to White House events?"
Because recognizing the natural, eternal beauty in being black, goes against the objective of destroying Blacks. The last thing white supremacy wants to see, and let alone promote are "awakened" Sistas, celebrating their beautiful nappy-roots.
Next you said..."People are making the decisions to tell the public about their sexual orientation, yet when someone else makes the decision to comment about his/her declaration, all of a sudden this free speech is wrong. It’s like no one can say ANYTHING negative about homosexuals without being crucified, even if the person is just sharing how he/she feels."
Homosexuality, is just one of the tools being used to destroy our People, so anyone that speaks out against it, will naturally be "crucified".
Last..."It’s like the media is pushing an agenda on folks: You must love and openly praise anything related to homosexuals or you are bad, wrong, ignorant, hateful and will be struck down."
We have to remember that "the M.E.D.I.A." (Most Evil Device In America) only exists for "programming" purposes, that's why they call it television and radio "programs"...and those that own and control it, use it to program us for self-destruction. They don't have to burn our homes, lynch us, or even call us niggers...through their "media" they program us to do destroy ourselves, and homosexuality has proven to be a very effective tool for them.
So, they will continue to "prop-up" and make a "hero" out of any Black athlete/celebrity to program the minds of our people into accepting this "alternative lifestyle" as an option, even though it leads to our own destruction...and anyone that doesn't openly praise anything related to homo's, will be marked as "bad, wrong, ignorant, hateful and will be struck down."
To quote GloGlo...
"4 reasons:"
1. To be as non-threatening as possible to the system of racism.
2. To protect the interest of white, Jewish-ruled Hollywood.
3. To never fornicate with or created “dark-skinned” children with white women.
4. To never create black life with a black female.
"The system of white supremacy has taught me that no strong, noble, intelligent, race-conscious black man will ever be famous or idolized. Especially if he has a noble, intelligent, race-conscious black woman by his side. These men were given the ultimate gift for their non-threatening stature and their allegiance to the system of white supremacy: “Success”."
ONLY awakened, conscious, non-programed Black People see these "heroes" for what they really are.
you guys do what you do Im not advocating for It or against It I have My beliefs and Im straight with it
With very few exceptions, there is no such thing as the FIRST among life as we know it. All things existed before we could even grasp the concept. God did not just appear as He has been there all along. Same thing with the issue of gayness as gay like qualities have been in every aspect of life as we know it. The military, civilian households, and the world in general have had people operating covertly for years. J Edgar Hoover led the FBI and it now appears he was a Black man passing as White taking self-hatred to a new level while cross dressing and doing the wild thing. Now he has buildings named for him even after he practiced blackmail tactics to the highest degree possible. Where are the preachers who are bold enough to tell the world how Leviticus explained God's take on a man laying with a man and what the definition of abomination truly is? The bottom line is that we all have freewill to make choices. In the end there is always going to be a consequence that will happen as a result. Society has relaxed its stand on the acceptance factor of all things contrary to God's word. Then in the midst of confusion, we wonder why this world is in the shape it is in. All one needs is common sense. If you want to live your life then do so in a manner as not to advertise. No one has to know and this sham of making a preference a public service announcement has gone off the deep end. I do not know Mr. Sam, but I wish him well no matter what he does off and on the field as it has no direct affect on me and what I choose to do. My take on the issue is that everybody is not accepting of homosexuality. However, it is not my place to judge anyone as I have my own issues to deal with. The surprising thing about living is that one can never know everything. As we get older, there is so much we find out that we had no idea existed. This applies to life, science, and our overall being. For example, our generation thinks we have seen history as Obama achieved the office of the Presidency. Cool. However, it has been debated that there have been 6 people elected to that office that had the distinction of being the FIRST.
The bottom line is that it does not really matter as what is is what is. TRUTH never changes and should only make each of us better the longer we live. Peace out, Papacool
@ SHALA
I must admit I didn't know much about this story ; and I was commenting on the information in your article.
IT kept my interest because none of it added up.
SINCE then I'VE backtrack the stories.
THE NY TIMES and ESPN were the media outlets that broke the stories with articles on 2/10/14 [both are JEWISH owned]
THE NY TIMES ran three articles on this in one day ; one was titled [NFL PROSPECT MICHAEL SAM PROUDLY SAY'S TEAMATES KNEW HE WAS GAY]
THE article goes on to describe how the first thing that MICHAEL did upon arriving on campus was to let everyone know he was gay; and even introduced himself to his teammates at team meetings as a gay man.
APPARENTLY the only people who didn't know was his DAD and his family and they found when he texted them; and that was only a week ago.
SO who was he outing himself to if everyone already knew; this is where it get's interesting.
MICHAEL had already hired a public relation consultant prior to the so- called coming out he name is HOWARD BRAGMAN he is a openly homosexual JEWISH man who nicknamed himself the " gay guru".
HOWRD specializes in helping gay celebrities come out of the closet; and not to protect them from adverse reaction because there is none ; but to promote the gay agenda and for the celebrity to profit from the experience both professionally and financially.
IF you look back over the articles you will see this because the NY TIMES SAY'S [ MR SAM COULD BECOME A SYMBOL FOR THE COUNTRY'S GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT]
AND ESPN'S college football magazine[MICHAEL SAM WILL BE A ROLE MODEL].
IT seems this was never about a gay man having enough of being in the closet and breaking out ; but a carefully staged media campaign introducing us to the next leader of the gay rights movement.
http://robertatx.wordpress.com/
Great article! I can't wait till someone's sexuality or political affiliation ceases to be a central topic in society. It has sub-planted the more substantive issues like poverty, war, education and the spiritual and mental growth of mankind as a whole. The awakening is has taken root in but a few of us and it feels great to find another one of the few.
Shala,
What an awesome atticulation of the real issue. Freedom of speech! One cannot expect me to embrace ones right to make a public announcement of any kind without my expectation that my public announcement shall be heard as well. Anything less is censorship and discriminatory.
Thank you for your article.
@ GLOGLO
ARE reading my blogs LOL!
I don't believe people are born gay. Seems to me that the decision to become gay occurs AFTER a male has sex with a woman AND produces children Then somewhere along the way, he DECIDES he's gay. These males feel as though everyone SHOULD accept his decision.
A female who's had boyfriends, maybe a husband and children MAKES A DECISION that she doesn't like men anymore. She wants another female.
Gay people are no more heroic than anyone else. They make a conscious decision to become involved with someone of the same sex.
gloglo,
You are right. It is a perversion. When I was 6 years old, there was a disgustng white girl who tried to introduce me to lesbianism. I believe that many whites are dirty. Fortunately for me, I was a child who did not keep things to myself and my mom never allowed this girl to come back to our home. Can you believe that this nasty girl tried to convince me it was alright when she said to me that she was doing sexual things with her brother??? When I shared this with her cousin, she told me it was not true, this is how I discovered her and I told my mom about it!
Homosexuality is absolutely not African that's a European perversion,Why do they even need to acknowledge it???! Because there is a gay agenda and the Obamas lead the agenda,That dudes whole coming out moment was premeditated, by the powers that be. He made the announcement on Sunday, and a recorded interview, with him talking about it, was already airing before 9am Monday morning. They are really using our face, to push this agenda, from the White house, to the world, via our house, which ironically, is sports and music. We're so influential, and they just use us as puppets, and pawns for their devilish goals.