Dear Windy City Times Editor,
I read the Windy City Times article by the Rev. Deborah Lake ( 'The problem is … ,' 6-11-08 ) with great disappointment. Apparently, she subscribes to the theory that repeating an untruth will eventually make it true. That theory runs into conflict when up against the determination that all that is needed for evil to triumph is for all good people to do nothing. In this case of the fate of young African-American gays, lesbians and trans individuals on Halsted Street, doing nothing is not an option and remaining true to the facts is essential.
First, the vast majority of the youth who are out are not teenagers; most are adults between the ages of 18 and 24. They are there with their peers, who can't get into the bars on Halsted for various reasons. More directly, it is not just because they have been kicked out of their neighborhoods but because there are no entertainment establishments that cater to them in their own neighborhoods. That is not a failing of these neighborhoods or communities, but just a statement of the facts. Within the Black communities where there are gay and lesbian bars and clubs, the businesses and promoters are thriving. Also, when organizations have provided alternatives to their populations, young African-American gays, lesbians and trans individuals respond and support these events in the hundreds.
The image that is being promoted by Lake and her colleagues is so unfair and untrue. The greatest tragedy is the separating of these young people as being 'different' or 'other'. When I first came out as an African-American gay man, what was supportive and encouraging was that my experience of growing up gay had a thread of similarity with other Blacks and non-Blacks. Setting these young people aside deprives them and limits the development of the lesbian and gay community as a whole.
This was the purpose of the June 21 march. It is titled a 'Unity March against Racism and Harassment in the Gay and Lesbian Community,' and that is the point. There needs to be an acknowledgment that there is better place then this finger pointing and name calling. The point is that the only way to heal is to address the problem. Failing to deny the pain that has been caused will not heal it. Like any other wounds physical of practical unless addressed it will fester and worsen with time. This march says defiantly that one thing that can help anyone in coming out or supporting people to reach their fullest potential is to help to build a person's self-esteem. The advantages of building other forms of self-esteem have been noted and documented. In this situation, there are African-American LGBT individuals of other generations who are coming together to support these young people in their quest for space in the gay communities.
Now, the Lake article lays out challenges and claims involvement in the process of deliberation. I've attended all but one public forum and I have participated in several meetings—and not once have seen Lake at these events. Neither have I seen nor heard of her organization being visible on the streets with these young people. This is significant only to have a firm reference that simply is not observed. The lack of this specificity makes her assertions silly, at best. For those of us who have been active in relating to and responding to the young people we know what we have been working on in terms of seeking new spaces, looking for alternative events and establishing grassroots-based initiatives. If space and time permitted, I would be able to tell you about the Bayard Rustin Access Center, the ball community, Youth Pride Center, the Youth Empowerment Center and others. The Coalition for Justice and Respect receives requests for support weekly from young lesbian and gay African-Americans. We have open communications with the Chicago Police Department headquarters and district commanders as well as the State's Attorney Office administration.
My personal involvement came from young people's requests to be an advocate for them. It is an honor, and I have called upon my peers in other places of power, like Ben Montgomery of the Congressman Danny K. Davis' office, to assist in cultivating resources.
It is with that spirit that I would encourage Lake and any others who has a social conscience to come to this march and support these young people. For over a year now, we talked about these issues in guarded terms. The time is for healing to begin.
Let every step we take be toward a better day than today.
Sincerely,
Marc Loveless,
Coordinator, Coalition for Justice and Respect
Rev. Deborah Lake responds: Mr. Loveless' letter to the editor of Windy City Times is just another installment in his almost year-long campaign to personally attack me and spread misinformation about the community work done by Sankofa Way. I am not sure why he started this campaign except for the fact that I disagree with his approach to addressing some of the problems that Black LGBT people face today.
I have worked with young people in many settings as a minister and as an activist. Although I do not routinely engage in name-dropping, in this context I point out that I have addressed matters that affect the quality of life for young people in places like the CORE Center, Youth Pride Center and Sankofa Way, and in congregations in Massachusetts, Illinois, New York and Maryland. Over years of ministering to young people and their families, I have learned that, too often, the first people to violate Black children are the adults in their lives. Too often the first to do harm are adults who are parents, clergy, teachers, community leaders and, yes, LGBT adults.
Race is part of America. Everything we do is done in the context of our personal racial background and our country's racial history. Understanding the pain we have experienced due to racism is an integral piece of claiming our American identity. Knowing that we each must find ways to heal from racism is how we come together and build healthy, diverse and productive communities. As Black people when we see racism as the cause of our problems all while we refuse to explore the effects of our hurting each other, we fail to own our destiny. We fail to change what we can control—ourselves. Instead, we put our fate in the hands of the 'other' and become locked in an endless battle to change the archetypal racist. I wonder if Mr. Loveless has not entirely healed from painful experiences in his life. He would not be the first person to make the mistake of using political activism to suppress the pain of unresolved personal conflict.
Mr. Loveless is, of course, correct in the observation that healing from hurt requires that we take action. We should, indeed, take action. We should act to make our lives better. Sometimes the action we need to take is to seek professional help in resolving personal conflicts. We should act to make life better for those around us. Sometimes the action we need to take is to claim responsibility for our own destructive behavior. We should act to address injustice in the world. Sometimes the action that we need to take is to follow the wisdom of another.
I hope and pray that Mr. Loveless will be able to accomplish the necessary soul-searching that will lead him to understand where he is in his healing process. If there is any way that I can help facilitate his discernment, I would be happy to be of service to him.
God is with us,
Rev. Deborah Elandus Lake,
Sankofa Way, www.sankofaway.org
