Is Gay The Way?

Although America firmly calls herself a nation of freedom and equality, she has historically been one to forget that actions speak louder than words. America as a whole is very conservative, and just like any small group that tries to challenge the institutions of a larger entity, there will be struggle. With that said, flamboyant, purse-toting, weave-wearing, sterotypical expessions of homosexuality are obviously degrading and counter-productive to the positive image that many homosexuals attempt to convey to this anti-homosexual society. Because of this reason, it is no secret that some homosexuals are offended by what they see around [campus].

To compare, pant-sagging, gold teeth-wearing, chain-rocking, rim-spinning, weed-smoking niggas are stereotypical expressions that seek to degrade the image of a black man. It is also no secret that many black men are offended by these and many other sterotypes that cloud an otherwise positive image.

Neither are acceptable in the notion of professionalism that Morehouse tries to uphold. Dr. Franklin's vision to promote the Renaissance Man calls for a man who is well dressed. People will make assumptions about you from the moment they see you. They will size you up and think they've got you all figured out before you even open your mouth or offer to shake their hand. Most of the time this practice is unconscious, but the point is - they do! Whether you've got on a suit or a scarf, a briefcase of a Bible, people will judge you. It doesn't even matter how smart you are or how well-spoken you may be. It happens. Moreover, when you enter a professional environment, whether you're gay or straight, you are expected to behave a certain way. Period. We all have to make some sacrifice.

Although each had his own unique approach to contractarianism, philosophers Thomas Hobbes, John Rawls, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau collectively agreed that the individual must give up certain things - rights - in order to live in and contibute to the progress of a [just] society. If Morehouse is such a society, then must we not put aside our individual egotism for the prosperity of the general good will or the "greater good" of the College? This "greater good" is the foundations that this institution was built on. It is the vision of our President, our leader. Should we undermine this vision and these ideals for our own glory? What statement are you trying to make?

The aforementioned philosophers maintained what became the backbone of the notion of democracy - a government for the people, of and/or by the people. America is a democracy and it, like most things, operates in a give-take relationship. In short, you have to give something in order to receive. Or in other words, if you refuse to give or contribute, don't expect to recieve. By undermining the vision of our Presdent and the ideals of our institution, we are not contributing to progress. We are not upholding our end of the bargain. In the corporate world, when you go against the rules of the company, you get fired. Now what if Morehouse did the same? Luckily we don't. Anyway, it's all counter-productivity. It stints the growth and progress of the ideals that Morehouse sets forth.

To conclude, just like we frown upon sagging jeans and use of the word 'nigga' to refer to each other on campus, we also disclaim the homosexual flamboyancy of purse-toting and use of the word 'bitch' to refer to one another. Both are detrimental to the image of black men that Morehouse seeks to convey and produce to the world. I also want to point out that this image is not one of discrimination and prejudice toward anyone in the LGBT community. We want to be Renaissance Men with a social conscious. We strive to be well traveled, well read, well dressed, and well spoken. We want to be at the forefront of producing a powerful, lasting, and positive image of the educated black man to the entire world. Quite simply, that lasting image of a black man should not include a purse. For the record, I am not condemning homosexuality at all, but Morehouse does not seek to promote or produce men who flamboyantly seek to be women. There is a time and a place for everything. This is not the place.