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Politics and Activism

An Open Letter To The Queer, Black Community

Because it's okay to be who you are.

Jaylen Thomas

Jul 25, 2016

Middle Tennessee State University

An Open Letter To The Queer, Black Community

Black Like Moi

Dear little, black, queer boys,

Those tears that you drown yourself in are making you stronger. I understand that your heart is broken. You are carrying a weight on your shoulders that you did not choose. You’re questioning why they do not understand you and why sometimes when you look in the mirror you look almost unfamiliar to yourself. There are three strikes against you; you’re black, male, and queer. I get it. Faggot falls from the lips of bigots into your lap and it doesn’t sit well with you. Your masculinity is broken, beaten, and erased because of the love that you have in your heart. You try to straighten your walk, deepen your voice, and look to media for what is expected of you as a man. You perpetuate homophobia in your own community, emasculate other men, and look at women only for their ornamental value because that’s what it takes to be a man, right? Wrong.

Because the rainbow is symbolic of your orientation does not mean that you were created to bend at the whim of society. Because you were created differently does not mean that it is okay for you to be treated differently. That closet that you often suffocate yourself in was not created for you and I want you to understand your worth. Your being is necessary and your voice will one day serve as reason for a little boy that feels the exact way that you do right now. Be strong and confident in who you are and never forget to love yourself. Some days, when you feel the world is against you, all you will have is yourself. Never forget that there is purpose in your footsteps. Every step that you take is one taken in boldness, fearlessness, and love.

I am with you. I am fighting to keep your hope alive. One day you will be able to wake up and be at peace with yourself because they’ll understand. The world will understand that you did not choose to be who you are, and they won’t shame you for loving it. You’ll no longer have to go throughout life being defensive. You are greatness. You are beauty. You are love. Keep your head up and remember that there’s someone in your corner rooting for you. Waiting for you to fulfill your inevitable greatness.

With love,

Another little, black, queer boy.

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An Open Letter To The Queer, Black Community

Because it's okay to be who you are.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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