Carissa Froyum’s examination of the Urban Youth
Network (UYN) in Washington D.C. provides an alarming and somewhat disgusting
view of how low income, mostly black teenagers (aged 12-17) identify heterosexuality
versus homosexuality. A lot of the
article talks about how boys and girls view homosexuals as inferior and
dangerous to be around. Froyum
dissects how teenagers react when their identity is in question. “The Bad Boys” use sexualized swearing,
homophobia, and find girlfriends to show their power and dominance over
others. Meanwhile, the poor black
girls in this setting sadly oftentimes resort to pregnancy and motherhood as
ways of avoiding the homosexual tag.
All of these actions presented by the teenage girls and boys in the
article are done to raise themselves to a position of power over others who may
not have figured out their sexuality quite yet.
Froyum was able to have discussions with students
to get their take on sexuality.
Students referred to normalcy as when there is a penis and vagina
involved. Keisha went further to
mention that you “cannot stick the vagina in a vagina.” (p. 610) Other students
turned to religion as the framework for normalcy stating that “God as creator
properly ordered the world as a heterosexual one.” (p. 610) Students thought that
because the Bible states men should be with women, any other way is wrong and
should be ridiculed. My initial
reaction to these students and their narrow-minded view, points in the
direction of their families and roots.
The passage states that all of the students knew individuals that was in
same-sex relationships or of family members whom had come out. As I read more of the passage, I
realized that my reaction wasn’t too far off. The general consensus was that if a straight boy or girl was
around a gay individual, they should be in fear of sexual harassment. These ideas come directly from their
parents. Trenton’s story was the
most appalling to me. He quoted
his mother by saying, “My Mom said, ‘you never sit by a gay person. Or even
touch them. Don’t even look at them. Because when you get involved with gay
friends something happens. Harassment.” (p. 617) This is just wrong and what
signifies what is so screwed up about our society in regards to
homosexuality.
It wouldn’t be right for me to write in my
response to this article that homosexuality didn’t confuse me when I was
between the ages of 12 and 17. I
can’t quite put a finger on the day I realized what homosexuality was and what
it stood for, but I do remember upon finding out what it was, that I was under
the impression that it was a bad thing.
My parents never once referred to it as wrong however, as they have
friends (as do I now) that are gay.
But during my years in middle school and high school, being gay, “wasn’t
cool.” I think that through the process of maturity and a better understanding
of our culture, many people are able to realize that being homosexual isn’t a
malicious act, and isn’t something that should be frowned upon.
Lastly I wanted to point out that the antigay phenomenon
is still very prevalent in TV and movies today. Just last night I was watching the HBO show Eastbound and Down in which the lead
character uses the words “fag, gay & homo” numerous times. The show is extremely
popular to males ages 16-50. It is
about a single man who presents his dominance in society by belittling “homos”
and treating women poorly. The
show is very funny, but at the same time sends the wrong message to males across
the country making people think it is okay to joke like he does. Until shows and movies eliminate
homosexuality as a bad and lesser concept, I do not think homophobia will be
disappearing anytime in the near future.
John, I think you made great point in discussing the prevalence of the anti-gay phenomenon in TV and movies today. Despite the fact that homosexuality is by and large more accepted into mainstream society than it was ten or even five years ago, homophobia and the hostility and humor associated with it is very much present. Indeed, there has been a significant change regarding the role of homosexuals in society and the media, for, as I remember, in my high school years we were constantly taught to accept gays and lesbians. Perhaps I have a skewed perception at Connecticut College, but I believe there has been a positive change. Rarely do I hear the phrase 'that's so gay' today, when in high school I would hear it in class, at parties, etc. However, while there exists less hostility regarding homosexuality, I think there is still a mean spirited, often unintentional humor in movies and television. Men are afraid of being gay, and it is comical if they act in such a way. There is nothing funny about acting like another person if they are simply expressing their sexuality freely. Like John said, the view that homosexuality is a joke must be eliminated.
ReplyDeleteJohn, in your first paragraph you did a great job portraying just how flawed the system of heterosexuality vs. homosexuality is in the UYN in Washington, D.C. The fact that these girls are resorting to pregnancy to avoid the homosexual description is sickening. However, unfortunately, it does not seem like this is going to change anytime soon. It seems like this is a trickle down affect, in which these kids have the skewed beliefs that homosexuality is something that in no way is tolerable and that they are to avoid it at all costs. Kids hear this from their friends, family, co-workers, etc. and eventually are forced to believe that this is how it is and the only way they are supposed to live their lives. Also, you bring up a good point in saying that as you grew up through high school and middle school that you were led onto believe that being gay was not "cool." Unfortunately you are right. When you hear kids say "that's so gay" it is never directed towards something in a positive manner. Good job on the response!
ReplyDeleteJohn, I too was completely disgusted by the remarks made by Trenton's mother. I always seem to be conflicted about what to feel towards people who hold views that "gay" is some sort of highly contagious epidemic: anger or pity. Hearing comments such as the one made by this woman makes me angry that people like her exist who are contributing to the unfair and abominable limitations and restrictions placed on the rights of homosexuals simply because they believe heterosexuality is the only legitimate and moral sexual orientation. At the same time, I feel sorry for people who believe that all members of society can and should be straight because it is clear that they were raised with values of hate and intolerance and were brought up to believe in the notion that straying from the sexual norm is completely unacceptable. Who knows? Trenton's mother may have had sexual desires for another woman at one point in her life but learned that she needed to repress, deny, or alter them in order to conform to the sexual norm and remain the "pure" and "moral" heterosexual that she was taught that she must be. Furthermore, the idea that touching a gay person can contaminate straight person like a sick person's cold can infect a healthy person is completely ludicrous. This bolsters the idea that people choose to be gay and that a straight person keeping company with someone of a non-heterosexual orientation can turn them into, God forbid, a homosexual him/herself. -Alexa Campagna
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DeleteI am glad John brought up how homosexuality is depicted in media culture. I agree that much of media culture depicts homosexuality as something to make fun of, or put down. I found this point disturbing because as the article pointed out, the resources these kids have for education is limited (black low-income boys are ore likely to go to jail than college) and if they are being mis-educated or have a lack of education on social issues then the depiction in the media only reinforces this narrow view. I am disturbed by the fact that these kids have such a narrow view, but even more so that not only their peers but also popular culture validate this view. I think that this article, in conjunction with John’s connection to the media, brings to light the larger crisis of hate and misinformation surrounding homosexuality in America today.
DeleteAs I discussed in one of my posts further back, the first time I learned what the word gay meant was in fourth grade when my teacher had to talk to my class about not using the word as an insult. Thus, like many other people, from the first time I knew what the word gay meant, I already knew that it held negative connotations for many people. I never really understood why people used the word gay as an insult, but nevertheless, from elementary school through high school, I never stopped hearing people say things like "that's so gay." I definitely agree with Blair that since coming to Connecticut College I feel that I have heard a lot less degrading comments made about gay people or homosexuality in general. However, one term I still hear a fair amount is "no homo." Often times, I don't think people feel that saying "no homo" is that bad or at least not as insulting as saying "that's so gay". However, the fact that a man feels the need to say "no homo" at all shows how great the fear of being mistaken as gay actually is.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your statement that anti-gay undertones still exist in the media. Whether it be Eastbound & Down, or even the news, homosexuality is still a very controversial and important issue. Gay marriage is heavily debated, giving the impression that being gay is a flaw and that they shouldn't have the same rights as straight couples who marry. Why does the media portray these images to so many people and not understand how hurtful it is to certain minority groups like homosexuals? This media portrayal of gender is definitely reflected by the kids at UYN, as they are constantly trying to affirm themselves in the eyes of their peers. They believe that homosexuality is wrong because the Bible says it is, but they do many hurtful and insensitive things that the Bible also does not say to do. It just goes to show how important the media is in influencing our lives and beliefs.
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