A Black Trans critique of "justice or Else"rally, esp. for all of you expressing love for it.

[ellenrr]

Black men rarely show up for anyone but themselves.
I attended a rally for #TransLiberationTuesday in DC a few weeks ago and the majority of the crowd was women–trans and cis. Today, thousands of Black men showed up in all types of beautiful Blackness and yet when there was a simple call for a memorial-like rally for Black trans lives, less than 10 show up. Why?

Minister Farrakhan quite literally hates women.
He stated that “Queens know how to keep their King alive”. In other words, the woman’s primary role is to allow herself to be dominated by her husband. He also engaged in misogynoir, stating that Black women should keep themselves covered unless they’re married–regardless as to if they belong to the Nation of Islam or not.

It was a brilliant testimony on inter-PoC solidarity until he forgot the name of the honored indigenous chief he supposedly respected. And then it the whole topic became a tragedy–he reduced thousands of years of indigenous culture to teepees and “sacred places”. Since when do all Native Americans have the same spiritual practices? Last time I checked, there are 562 federally recognized tribal groups and that’s only what the government acknowledges. I didn’t know that teepees and “sacred places” were shared by every single one of these.

“If you don’t have a husband women, keep it covered.” –Minister Farrakhan
During the speech Farrakhan brought women out to show the audience how not to be objectified but then ultimately objectified the women he used for his example… Confusing, right? Farrakhan fails to understand that Black women are so much more than the Black male gaze and always have been. They exist for themselves. Their lives matter simply because they are alive

It just didn’t feel right.
Being at the March as a Black, gender non-conforming femme made me feel pretty disgusting. Similar to many other #YouOKSis stories, I found myself being leered at and harassed by the Black men I came there to stand with in solidarity. The worst part? The only person who noticed and defended me was a guy friend who I came there with. When will cisgender Black men be there for the rest of us?

http://blavity.com/black-queer-a-response-to-the-million-man-march-justiceorelse/


BTW: You didn't pass the part where Mr. Farrakhan refuses reproductive rights to women, did you?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I didn't specifically 'express love for it', but

I don't think most of us heard any in real detailed depth about the actual remarks of Mr. Farrakhan. Coverage on TV was spotty, so I think the impression most of us had was that it was a large, diverse gathering to demand racial justice. Which is something we all want. I doubt many of us would be thrilled with Farrakhan's remarks if they are accurately represented here. (And that's just my usual style of caveating, I'm not suggesting they're not being accurately portrayed here.)

[ellenrr]

3. I will admit that Minister Farrakhan deems to have slightly improved his position on gays

when I heard him in Houston (in the '80's) I loved the love that he expressed for Black people.
And he is (or at least was then) an very charismatic speaker.
but I was appalled and disgusted by his remarks about gays.
don't remember the exact words but it was nasty.

However at a rally in recent years, he appeared to have improved somewhat.(as far as gays)

But I heard him speak on the radio (this last rally) and he condemned abortion.
I am aware that some Black people oppose abortion for Black women, on the grounds of it is being genocidal.
BUT I stand for ANY woman's right to make that decision.
Obviously I am not going to advocate any woman have an abortion, but I will stand forever for any and every woman to have the choice.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

6. I guess, as always, the devil is in the details.

And the media usually leaves out a lot of details, especially ones that turn their preferred narrative on its head.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Oh, lots of people on DU wondered why Louis was not the star of weekend TV. Here's why:

"It seems like being gay or whatever sin you wish to be a part of is okay ... but I have the duty to lift that gay person up to the standard to ask if they want to live the life that God wants them to or live the lifestyle that they want to live."
Boston speech, August 1997

"The Jews have been so bad at politics they lost half their population in the Holocaust. They thought they could trust in Hitler, and they helped him get the Third Reich on the road."
Saviours' Day speech, Chicago, February 1998
http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/jul/31/race.world1

Here's some super material:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/louis-farrakhan-slams-obamas-sanction-of-gay-marriage-calls-homosexuality-sin-75739/

When those things are said by Republicans DU does not in fact say 'Why did they not get more TV coverage?'


If nothing else the anti Jewish material along with the atavistic views of women and LGBT people should offer a bit of a clue as to why Louis is not made into a media superstar of Justice and Equality.
When Huckabee, Carson or Pat Robertson say these things, DU rejects them soundly.
Double standards smell.

[ellenrr]

7. well-said. I find Farrakhan a fascinating person...

when I was at his talk, I thot the part about Black people taking responsibility for their lives, and buying Black, and forming another economy was sharp.
I know there are criticisms that can be made of this position, but nevertheless, I think it warrants a hearing and a discussion.
I had expected some anti-Jewish things, but did not hear any.

but the remarks you quote - are typical. Black Muslims are very conservative as far as cultural values.

Myself (white) and a white woman I went with were only a handful of white people among hundreds of Black people.
We were received very respectfully
and nobody seemed to mind.
(I don't know how anyone they felt internally, but at least outwardly no one objected.)

[Bluenorthwest]

8. I've had long, long talks with NOI people many, many times.

I know their game. I'll talk to any hate group, anytime of the day. I'm very, very familiar with the fact that hate groups always claim to be advocacy groups for their own. White supremacists work that same line of reasoning, various religious bigots claim they are 'not anti gay' but just want to defend the family and Jesus.
So claims that your intolerant rhetoric is really empowering for your own group are universally made by all separatist, supremacist groups. 'We don't hate the Roma, we love our own city'.

[FrodosPet]

9. Louis Farrakhan to Jay Z: ‘Keep Beyonce Covered Up, You’re Responsible’

Black women are the property of black men?

http://theboombox.com/louis-farrakhan-to-jay-z-keep-beyonce-covered-up/

By Victoria Johnson September 21, 2015 12:43 PM

The Nation of Islam leader sat down for an interview with Hip Hop Since 1987 earlier this month to discuss many hot topics, one being Jay Z. According to Farrakhan, Hov is a “good manager” who should tell Beyonce to stay out of her famous bodysuits and fashion numbers since men can’t help but look in her direction. Instead, he wants to see the singer covered up.

“You have to educate the managers. Jay Z is a good man. Jay Z is a good manager. But now, your woman is on display. Do you want men looking at your woman, being tempted by your woman, to make advances at your woman?” Farrakhan said. He also went on to extend his advice to other notable black women in the music industry.

~ snip ~

“Today you strip the woman of her clothes. How can a man think straight, looking at the beauty of Beyoncé?” Farrakhan shared. “Help us to be more sane. A man is made into a dog by a way a woman presents herself to a man. There ain’t no preacher out there that’s that holy that a woman can disrobe herself and a man can still think Bible, still think Quran. How do you rule a man? You rule him by the beauty of your body and the suggestion of sex. So when you strip a woman down, a man becomes a dog. You don’t make a man? You make him to treat you like an object of sex instead of the creative genius that you are.”

The activist and orator solidified his stance on his Facebook page following the interview with a direct message to the Brooklyn rapper. “To my brother Jay-Z: As much as I love and admire you, I want to see my sister, Beyonce, beautifully covered… You’re responsible,” he wrote.

~ snip ~

[LostOne4Ever]

2. Only 10 people? Black transwomen are the single most hated group in this country

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4 color=teal]They deserve more respect than that.

For what it is worth:

[/font]

[ellenrr]

4. Absolutely true- look how many are murdered and don't even get a line

in the newspaper.
So why would someone who claims to "love Black people" not speak up for trans black women?
Are they not Black?
Are they not people?