Planning Black Pride

11 Comments

1. 

   carosi on September 30, 2011 at 12:57 pm

   Why is this necessary? If we had a White Pride event we would be considered racist so I find this offending. I thought the Pride event two weeks ago was inclusive to all races. Why is there be a need to segregate?

2. 

   Tisha McDaniel on September 30, 2011 at 2:58 pm

   It’s b/c the pride events have a history of not being inclusive.  I believe that the Tavern Guild is really trying but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.  I would not call this segregation…just a different set of events that could be included in the Dallas Pride events but are not.

3. 

   Eric Shellhorn on September 30, 2011 at 4:42 pm

   The pide events MAY have had a history of not being inclusive, but that hasn’t been my experience in the 15+ years I have been going to the parades. Thus, the question behind the question becomes, when does an out-dated history model get to be put away? The past decade (at least) of parades have been inclusive of all and fun. If the argument is about history, the argument is flawed since the problem (exlcusion) of that history no longer exists in today’s parade. If the argumet for a black pride is about inclusivity, the argument is null because the inclusivity exists NOW. I do not think a black pride parade is racist since no race is being denegrated while the other made superior- so you can nix that argument, too. Frankly, I believe feeling that one NEEDS a black parade to feel part of a larger community may be the issue that is being overlooked here. Are non-blacks being inclusive in parades, but not in other aspects of our gay culture? Are those wanting a black pride parade creating division where there is none? To me, those are the questions we should be asking.

4. 

   Tisha McDaniel on September 30, 2011 at 7:09 pm

   @Eric These are truly valid questions. I do feel that the parade is the only time of the year where you see REAL diversity in the crowd. I live in Oak Lawn and go to the bars frequently on Cedar Springs. The only clubs that cater to people of color are Havana’s and Sue’s. I don’t believe it’s intentional but I think the gay culture has a certain image of pretty drinks, pretty white boys, and dance anthems. That is not necessarily the kind of experience in black or hispanic communities. I just think the purpose of black pride is to just cater to things that make up black culture/experience which are missing in Dallas Pride. I do wish that there could be some collaboration. Maybe there was outreach in the past and we don’t know the full story.

5. 

   Popcornbrutha on October 1, 2011 at 8:47 am

   Why are people bitter over he FACT that other ‘prides’ exist and are tailored to other ehnicities. Dallas Pride is mostly inclusive of whites, Latinos, Snowqueens, and showmonkeys that know their place. 

   Dallas Black Pride cultivates and promotes LGBT & SGL consciousness within the local Black community.

   Tisha – please drop the apologetic mammy role; Eric’s points are not valid but are the essence of the dismissively racist attitude some white gay males adhere to.

   TAKEAWAY – OTHER PRIDES EXIST SO GET OVER IT AND STOP KNOCKING DIVERSITY!

6. 

   Tisha McDaniel on October 1, 2011 at 12:17 pm

   Who da hell do you think you’re talking to?  You don’t know me “brutha”.  If it wasn’t for the many “mammies” suffering in servitude over the centuries, your black ass wouldn’t be here today.  Only ignorant people would throw out such words thinking it would produce shame and embarrassment.  

   Beyond that, we do agree on the purpose of Black pride.  Just b/c WE both understand doesn’t mean the mainstream gay  community does.  Basically, you’re saying it ain’t for “them” to understand and to just deal with it.  I thought part of Black Pride was to educate about the things that affect our community to a larger audience.  Way to educate, popcorn.  

7. 

   Popcornbrutha on October 1, 2011 at 2:37 pm

   Tisha – Yasss! Channel your inner Sista Gurl…very sexy 😉

   Get lifted baby – remedy… Frantz Fanon’s ‘Black Skin, White Masks’ for starters with a side order of Robert C. Toll’s ‘Blacking Up’ and take off the head wrap while you’re at it.

   The central focus of a black pride is to educate those within the black community – their are MANY allies for this cause that are of other ethnicities. Dallas Black Pride (like many other black prides) does not promote exclusion of any other race BUT recognizes a need for the affirmation of Black LGBT and SGL individuals within the black community. If someone wants to dismiss the necessity of this event by claiming this is an act of segregation then let me remain in their ‘comfortable’ ignorance. Wiser mofo’s would actually attend the symposiums and workshops to fully understand the purpose of this event versus relying on a surfaced understanding of what it’s about. 

   The validity of the criticisms has YET to be established until one fully experiences Dallas Black Pride. Many of us (“bruthas”) have experienced Dallas Pride and our assessment is that it does NOT appeal nor market to us. It is what it is – such as life and thank God for OTHER OPTIONS (i.e. Dallas Black Pride, ATL’s ‘In the Life’, Miami Sizzle, etc).

   Conclusively, you mad??????

   LMBAO! 😉

8. 

   Eric Shellhorn on October 1, 2011 at 11:48 pm

   Thank you, Tisha, for your insightful answer.  Ultimately, I was busier asking “why is this necessary” when it appears Dallas Pride is in fact inclusive.  Some replies have suggested it is about marketing and education within that community, which is fair and understandable. 

   Popcornbrutha’s reply to you is unfortunate, on the other hand. The use of name calling (“Snowqueens” and “showmonkeys”) was unnecessary at best, and discredits himself at worst.

   Popcorn, asking why this event is necessary is not racist.  To argue racism, one must present a position, policy or view that posits one race has more value, or is superior to another in some way.  No one has done this in this important discussion we are all having.

   At the end of the day, you ask “Why are people bitter over he FACT that other ‘prides’ exist and are tailored to other ehnicities.”   First, there should be a question mark at the end of your sentence.  Secondly, no one here is bitter.  People are simply exploring “Why is this still needed?”  And thirdly, I suspect if someone IS bitter about this, it is because of the perception some might have that the black community (gay or straight) would be up in arms if we decided to host a white parade “to market and educate” ourselves. 

   I think you owe Trish an apology for the tone of your post.

9. 

   Popcornbrutha on October 2, 2011 at 2:02 am

   Eric, sit down and take several empty seats. It’s America; think whatever you like but I’ll apologize when I deem it necessary.
   You would feel Dallas Pride is inclusive because it is YOUR experience. What’s good for your goose obviously AIN’T good for the gander. Dallas Black Pride continues to grow in interest and patronage among Blacks within the regional area – OBVIOUSLY a need is being met on a significant level. You original focus is misdirected on a comparison of ‘parades’ (WTH???). If that’s your understanding of what a PRIDE fully entails – please forever remain in La La Land. Dallas Black Pride goes beyond the entertainment apsect of a pride and includes educational workshops/forums tailored to and primarily shared by Black perspectives. Apparently, you feel more comfortable with relying on baseless and dismissive arguments that this event emerges from ‘an out-dated history model’ instead of actually ATTENDING the workshops/forums to better understand the event’s ‘necessity’. It’s easy to criticize and pointlessly spew out ‘questions’ online about an event that’s clearly foreign to you versus actually experiencing it firsthand. I had reservations about attending the National Polka Festival (Czech heritage) in Ennis, TX but squelched them and enjoyed a very welcoming and culturally insightful experience. Appreciate diversity rather than attacking it. Questioning the necessity of Dallas Black Pride while defensively arguing that Dallas Pride is inclusive of all races is dissmissively racist. What’s next…Stonewall Democrats and Log Cabin Republicans should consolidate into one organization…the plight of transexuals and that of drag queens are one in the same…Oak Lawn United Methodist Church and Cathedral of Hope should just combine since they are both Christian establishments??? POLORIZATION ONLY YIELDS FURTHER MARGINALIZATION. If there is any question worth asking, ask yourself: ‘what can I do to help further cultivate and promote the inclusiveness of Dallas Pride.’

10. 

    Eric on October 4, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    Oh, Popcorn. We are slowly making headway in our conversation. What I hear you say is that you do not feel Dallas Pride is as inclusive as it could be, and that Black Pride reflects needs that you don’t feel are met in Dallas Pride. Am I correct?

    One of the questions which I still feel need answering is how one would feel if the argument was reversed, in other words if a group decided to promote a Dallas White Pride to address specific education and community needs. That would probably appear very polarizing and I am certainly not promoting this. I am in agreement with you that polarization yields further marginalization. I get that and agree. But can you see how one would feel that a Black Pride Parade in and of itself can appear polarizing? In review of the posts, and the discussion/questions asked, one thing I would still like clarification on is “What exactly is the Dallas Pride missing?” I ask that because it appears pretty inclusive to me. Helping me understand what you feel it does not accomplish may make others better see the purpose of the Black Pride. Thank you for your consideration.

11. 

    Tisha McDaniel on October 5, 2011 at 10:46 am

    Just to be fair Eric, there are many events that celebrate “white” pride or what I would call European culture (Oktoberfest, Irish Cultural Festival, etc) so let’s not pretend that cultural events are only limited to communities of color.  I would suggest listening to last week’s Lambda Weekly podcast that had Harold Stewart from Fahari Arts on the show talking about Black Pride events and the purpose.  He gave the best answer I’ve heard/read so far.  Gracias 🙂