Why would some one want to compare Black History, or any race's history to the Gay issues? Please read below.

Question

I was walking out of the store last night this guy asked me to sign a Petition in regards to Gay Marriage. My response Not my world. Not My Fight. Not my problem. Good luck. He says Given your history as a black man you should really be in our corner. It irratated me a lil, Slavery and genocide doens't compare to Gays not have political favor. I know that some gay people are beat up or killed but there is a law, Hate Crime and you go to jail for a long A** time if your convicted of this, there was no such thing as a hate crime when my great grand daddy was a kid. I don't walk around with slavery on my mind every day (he brought it up). For this guy to say something like that was rude and insulting. What every race fought for in this country doens't compare to Gay people trying to catch a tax break and to be tolerated. I don't hate yall but I don't care either it's not my problem or my business. Why would you tell me that given my history I would sympathise with your plight?

Thats like comparing apples and Oranges.
When I do think of my history I think of the Children that watch thier parent get raped , beaten then hung only to suffer the same fate. Gay people and thier children don't face that. This guy straight up to to justify my history to his current struggle. I don't agree but is this a common belief that most people have?

I don't think about slavery every day or blacme anyone for my problems.

Answer 1

I believe that he thought you may be able to sympathize. You are wrong, alot of homosexuals people get beaten raped, harassed, threatened their loved ones get the same crap because of people who do not understand them. I am not a homosexual but I have friends who are. I hear their painful stories alot... Just because you do not see their stories being televised as hate crimes does not mean it does not happen.
They are not trying to catch a tax break they are fighting for the same constitutional rights that you and I have. Imagine not being able to get married because you are black...They do not choose to be gay just like you do not choose to be black...the breathe, bleed, work, pay taxes and live like the rest of the world but have a different way that they love. For this they will not be recognized by the state? Give me a break and open your closed mind!

Answer 2

I'm sure he didn't mean to insult you, although his comment might have been a bit out of line. Race aside, every person has the right to feel a certain way about the issues. I'm not gay, and I'm not black (although I am from a different country), but I feel that discrimination is wrong regardless of what form it takes or against whom it's committed. Slavery is just one of the more blatant and intolerable examples - but there are plenty of (more subtle) ways to discriminate. The plight of the gays has to do with discrimination, and I do feel they're being discriminated against. I don't see it as just being about tax breaks. If all of a sudden I was told I couldn't marry the person I wanted to be with because, say, the color of their skin - if I still pushed for it, would it be about tax breaks? I don't think so, not for me at least. It is likely that this is what the guy you mentioned was trying to get at... I don't think he was referring to slavery per say, but instead to the more subtle forms of segregation and racism that persisted in this society long after slavery was done away with.

Answer 3

Because like black people they can't help how they were born and being black you should be able to sympathize with the prejudices they are facing right now! Black people had to fight for all the rights that they have today and that is all gay people are trying to do! I believe ALL humans should have the same rights! I would sign a petition to help any minority get the rights they deserve!

Answer 4

Do all the acts of prejudice have to be identical? I believe his point was that it's wrong to discriminate against people for reasons other than merit. The expectation is that other people who have been discriminated against may have more insight and compassion for others who are being discriminated against.

By the way, the specific point is what's relevant--less than 60 years ago there were still laws against marrying someone of another race. Would have affected me too by the way--my wife is of a different ethnicity than I am. The point is--if you can deny someone their civil rights for meaningless reasons, how safe are the right you now enjoy?

Answer 5

I am not saying it was right or wrong but in the terms of prejudice his argument is understandable. I think if you are unwilling to sympathize with his plight then you have no right to ask people to sympathize or make people feel guilty about ours. Just like figures such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and other great dignitaries fought for our rights, he is doing the same for his and to me that is notable even if he did say something that can be perceived as off-color (no pun intended).

Answer 6

I don't know why they put gay issues and slavery together. Because they sometimes make the choice to be gay, we on the other hand had no choice. We were born black. I guess also because we made so many strives in a lot of areas and still are. I

Answer 7

It is your right to ignore the gay rights movement. But that also means you can't complain about it either. I feel if you vote one way or the other you are given the American right to complain or sympathize. I agree he should not be comparing genocide with same sex marriage. The gay community is grasping onto hollow straws and they are going to pray on our indifference's to gain support. That is called politics.

Answer 8

Actually, there is no comparison in what they are trying to accomplish and our Black history. The thing they should be reading is the Bible where it definitely explains what happened to those of the same s__ in the biblical days. This is not excepted in the sight of God, and the sooner they read about this and except it as it should be understood to change their lives, they will be alright.

Answer 9

There is no comparison but because they r being discrimintated against as we were for many yrs they would hope u'd understand...

U know like back then many african americans stuck together to protect and defend one another.. same thing w/gays, they won't discriminate against race because it's so many of them that just want to be wanted by their same type of people or company (gays)..

I have nothing against them but now there just trying to get the same rights that we've been fighting for, for many of years and still r fighting for.. He!! we got our own fight to deal with...

wish them the best of luck with what they are trying to accomplish and keep it moving..

they're people just like we are and they just gotta keep fightin for what they believe in just as we do...

but will they fight for us to be in office, or for one of us to be president.... I doubt it unless theyre in a relationship w/an african american male..