In the Pam's House Blend piece A reader writes the Courage Campaign about a 2010 Prop 8 repeal fundraising letter, the timing of the upcoming initiative to repeal Proposition 8 has been addressed. The Courage Campaign is advocating for 2010; while others are advocating for 2012, such as the a California lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) coalition of color.
The California Marriage Equality Activists Plan Ballot Initiative Campaign met in Los Angeles last weekend, and are planning for the coming initiative to repeal Proposition 8, no matter when the initiative is taken to California voters. Sara Beth Brooks, who has previously argued that the initiative should be filed for the 2010 Election, is the point of contact for the press release about last weekend's Los Angeles meeting .
Equality California (EQCA), which is by most LGBT Callifornians assessment the juggernaut of LGBT non-profits/civil rights organizations here, is going to announce tomorrow whether they are going to support 2010 or 2012 for an initiative drive to repeal repeal Prop 8.
I'm concerned. As long as the that California LGBT coalition of color isn't supporting or working towards an initiative in 2010, I know as a LGBT Californian I'm not inclined at all to support -- or work towards -- a campaign for a 2010 initiative to repeal Proposition 8. My perspective is that without LGBT people of color organizations onboard in a Prop 8 repeal drive, I don't see how we successfully repeal in Prop 8; I'm not going to spend my volunteer time or contribute any money to a campaign that I don't see as having any chance at success.
One of the mistakes I made during the 2008 Prop 8 campaign was not pointing out what I saw as wrong with how the campaign was being run when I had questions about it. Such as, it bothered me that there were no images of LGBT people in the advertizing for the Prop 8 campaign, and that it didn't appear to be a hearts-and-minds campaign. Well, I won't make that mistake of not speaking up a second time.
So at this point, I won't answer to focus groups; I won't answer to big budget or small budget campaigns; I'm going to stick to telling you what I think.
So here's what I think: If there are no LGBT people of color organizations onboard for a Prop 8 repeal, I'll stay on the sidelines for this election cycle. I'll vote for the Prop 8 repeal if it actually reaches the ballot in 2010 without LGBT people of color organizations onboard, but I won't work/volunteer for -- or contribute funds to -- a 2010 attempt to repeal Prop 8 without LGBT people of color organizations onboard. I just see no possibility of a win without them onboard.
This piece is currently running on Salon today as I sit in for Glenn Greenwald, but I thought I'd share it here...
Longtime readers of the Blend know that I've taken on the subject of the politics of black hair (or to be precise, kinky hair) several times, commenting on the travails of black women who are culturally addicted to "creamy crack" -- the horrid, toxic relaxers used to chemica lly straighten hair. It's all in order to avoid any natural naps showing at the root, and the billion-dollar industry that caters to this beauty choice based on loathing the natural texture of one's hair that has roots back to the days of slavery and the definition of what is "good hair."
Lots of people were interested in these posts, others pooh-poohed the notion that the politics of hair had any significance in "post-racial America" or reflected any socio-pathologies that needed to be addressed. In the black community, it's almost taboo to discuss the issue, and, quite frankly, I am grateful that the brilliant Chris Rock has written and stars in the documentary "Good Hair" directed by Jeff Stilson (co-writers are Jeff Stilson, Lance Crouther and Chuck Sklar). If there's any way to break down the walls of silence to discuss this topic with candor, Rock can do it.
An exposé of comic proportions that only Chris Rock could pull off, GOOD HAIR visits beauty salons and hairstyling battles, scientific laboratories and Indian temples to explore the way hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships, and self-esteem of the black community. Director Jeff Stilson follows Chris Rock on this raucous adventure prompted by Rock's daughter approaching him and asking, "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?" Haircare professionals, beautyshop and barbershop patrons, as well as celebrities including Ice-T, Nia Long, Paul Mooney, Raven Symoné, Dr. Maya Angelou, Salt n Pepa, Eve and Reverend Al Sharpton all candidly offer their stories and observations to Rock while he struggles with the task of figuring out how to respond to his daughter's question.
What can you say when Essence Magazine featured the Top Ten Celeb Hair Moments a couple of years ago and nine out of the 10 women selected had processed, straightened hair? Can you name many well-known black female celebrities who break the processed hair mold (aside from Whoopi Goldberg?). The images we see on film and TV affirm the misguided notion that there is less beauty to be found in naturally kinky hair. And Essence, btw, is a magazine that actually does frequently contain images of black women in natural hairstyles -- the editors obviously didn't have a lot of high-profile black actresses or singers to select from. The lye is a hard habit to break.
My hair story below the fold.“I tell my daughters I love them 70 times a day,” [Rock] says. “I hug them and I kiss them – I'm that kind of dad. To hear my daughter did not like something about herself when I'm telling her she's beautiful every single minute of the day really had me thinking about hair again. “She was only five at the time,” he continues, “and she was already having concerns about her hair – she's already having hair envy. I felt I needed to understand more deeply how these issues are related: African-American women and their hair. And then I remembered the idea for a documentary.”
...“In our world, the issues of beauty and conformity run very deep – and men don?t always understand how truly deep those issues go for women,” says executive producer Nelson George. “It reaches all women: Asian, Hispanic, black, and white.” And for black women, the issue can be incredibly polarizing, affecting other areas of their lives – there's a segment in the film where men discuss not ever having touched their wives' hair. “One thing we didn't really know when we started,” says George, “was how deeply we would get into this whole question of black men and women, and the financial considerations and intimacy issues that evolve with taking care of a woman's hair. That was something we discovered – literally, Chris is amazed on screen to touch a black woman's hair AND REALIZES HOW LOADED THAT MOMENT IS. That's the moment it hit him.
>The film really builds on this issue of intimacy and how something like hair can affect how people love each other.” One of the most revealing questions raised in the film is summed up by actress Tracie Thoms, one of Good Hair's interviewees. Thoms has chosen to wear her hair “natural,” but she admits how strong her conviction must be to keep it that way. “There are so many pressures to straighten your hair. To keep my hair the same texture as it grows out of my head is looked at as revolutionary. Why is that?”
Full freedom for me finally came when I decided in the 90s to toss out the relaxer and cut the dry damaged hair off. I wore a short natural for several years. I began the process of growing locs in November 2000, a style I wear today. Free from the burning hot comb sizzling my scalp, curling irons, flat irons or other instruments of hair torture. I talked about this when I was interviewed for a documentary about the politics of hair back in 2005.
The status quo is still straightened hair, even though we see more natural styles in vogue now. Black women are unfortunately still chastised by family and significant others not to 1) cut their hair or 2) let it be kinky. It's one of those "dirty laundry" matters that people don't want to discuss openly, but when you have such poisonous, enabled self-loathing, it needs sunlight upon it. Look at this ad. It implies that the woman got the job because her hair was chemically straightened. The self-loathing is so culturally ingrained, so pathological -- there is nothing wrong with our hair, but nearly every signal received by the dominant culture is that it needs to be "corrected."
Last night's episode featured Maine's District #1. This is great- go, Chellie!
Among the topics:
Portland's large gay and lesbian population (with its high concentration of women living together).Lobsters, including whether our new marriage equality law will allow for men marrying their favorite crustacean.
Whether or not Maine is part of Canada.
The one and only black man in Maine.
How gay Maine is, on a scale of "One to Maine".
Knitting- snore!!
Wind power and its dubiousness as a renewable energy source, with Stephen Colbert demonstrating wind- and how it generates "electricity".
Oh, this is a FUN installment of the "Better Know A District" series...
Have I said before how much I heart Chellie Pingree? ;)
Please join the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and Basic Rights Oregon (BRO) For a weekend of intimate events in Portland,featuring Kate Kendell, Esq., NCLR Executive Director and Jeana Frazzini, BRO Executive Director
The State of Our Unions: LGBT Legal & Policy Briefing Saturday, September 12, 2009 3:00 pm â€" 5:00 pm
Flying Cat Coffee Company 3041 SE Division Portland, Oregon
The legal landscape for LGBT people is ever-changing, and this year, that has proved to be especially true! With new victories and defeats occurring at a faster pace tue! With new victories and defeats occurring at a faster pace than ever, it’s hard to keep track of where our struggle for justice stands, and how and where our relationships are protected. Join us for a presentation and discussion on the latest legal and policy issues affecting the LGBT community, including an update on moving forward with marriage equality in Oregon and other states and federal legislation and litigation. There is no cost to attend. No RSVP necessary.
A Social for Social Justice: Benefit Party with NCLR and BRO Sunday, September 13, 2009 3:00 pm â€" 5:00 pm
Nostrana Restaurant With award-winning Chef Cathy Whims 1401 SE Morrison Street Portland, Oregon So much has happened over this past year â€" we hope you can join us for a fun and intimate afternoon to catch up with NCLR and BRO and find out more about our current work and what lies ahead in the fight for our LGBT civil and human rights. Suggested Donation: $25, payable at the door. Please RSVP by September 4th to Dena Zaldúa-Hilkene at dzalduahilkene@nclrights.org with subject line “NCLR Portland Event†or call 415.365.1303. Reservations will be held at the door.
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