When Looking at the Mirror Distracts One's Attention From the Problem
I would like to take a moment to publicly apologize to Cleo and the members of the Black Men's Xchange (BMX) for the recent smear campaign crafted against them and the blatant ignorance of their inclusion in the MMM by the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). Although I'm not a member of either organization, I know in my heart that we are all capable of getting along for the same cause of improving our community as a whole. I simply think that they (NBJC) forgot that the "B" in their name stood for BLACK. That's all. :)
"The great corrupter of public man is the ego. Looking at the mirror distracts one's attention from the problem." ~Dean Acheson, United States Secretary of State under President Harry S. Truman.I know we can create a strong and unified community. It is more important that we do so now more than ever. However, in order for us to go forward and tackle the many issues affecting the BLACK community, we all need to work together. Ego’s need to be left at the door and reality checks needs to be cashed. We are all in this thing together. At the end of the day, we are all turned on by the same gender. Also, leaders, and I use that word loosely, in our organizations that are more concerned with building a media image for themselves and/or filling their pockets with the governments money than actually doing the dirty work should step away. This lack of integrity, is only aiding in the further destruction of our community. Just take a look at some of our current HIV organizations and those getting paid to speak on the subject and the HIV infection rates amongst our brothers. The rates haven’t decreased over the past years, but increased dramatically. You are partly to blame for killing us! But I will talk about that in a later post.
I want to leave the NBJC and others with the following questions:
- How can we unify if we are turning on each other?
- How can we promote new leadership and people to “come out” when they are faced with this type of underhandedness amongst their own people?
Oh and one last thing, an apology can go a long way towards fixing any mess you may create. It shows that you are human.
Q
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Comments
Very good point I'm a supportor of both groups but am disapointed in the way NBJC is acting
Posted by: Joseph Reaves | October 19, 2005 12:02 PM
I didn't know there was a smear campaign going on. I hadn't picked that up from any of the official NBJC press documents. Maybe the members of the organizations, as opposed to the leadership, or visitors to various GLBT/SGL websites are stirring up controversy.
James
http://at33.blogspot.com/
Posted by: James | October 19, 2005 12:13 PM
Q I have not read anything negative NBJC or Keith Boykin said about Cleo Mango or BMX, all I read that was stated by NBJC and Keith Boykin was that he did not get to speak. How is that a smear campaign? Cleo even has posted his speech on Keith's website and does not say anything about being smeared upon because he realizes that it is the comments that is posted on Keith's website by the readers not from Keith himself. I was shocked disappointed to see the first story on this blog was so negative in talking about another black SGL brotha, I would have thought it would have been a word or two saying something good about Cleo since he was chosen and GIVING the opportunity to go onstage and represent the black SGL community. It really would have been great if Cleo and Keith both could have made speeches, I think the message would have been more stronger and effective, but that did not happen and I really did not see the point in the first story that was written on this blog because Cleo was the only one GIVING the opportunity to speak at the MMM, it really should not matter what the negative readers had posted on Keith's website because every person does have a right to their own opinion and has the right to express it. I really did not see the point Q that you made about not asking for money or being funded for this website because i am pretty sur FObrothas, Cleo and Keith do your website from the heart. This a very informative and intellectual website and ORGANIZATION that is very much of a great value to the black SGL male community, Keith's website is only a personal one. Since all the talk and drama that has gone on with this situation I had checked out BMX website and Cleo Mango's blog and I must say he has much class and all my respect because he does not say anything negative about this whole situation or address it and that by alone says alot about him, he really has alot of class by not even beginning to address all the smear comments that was posted on Keiths website, instead he has moved on and is staying focused. Before this situation I had never even heard of Cleo Mango but now will keep checking him and his website out. Q thank you for all you do for the black SGL male community. Keep up the good work and always stay focused.
Posted by: Eric | October 19, 2005 04:15 PM
I don't profess to know all the behind the scenes goings on. But what's clear is there needs to be a meeting of both sides. The shady bullshit needs to stop.
Everybody's got an opinion, most unfortunately slated one direction or another. That doesn't help either.
I do agree that if an apology is warranted for any wrong-doing or short-sightedness, then I one should certainly be given.
Posted by: taylor Siluwé | October 19, 2005 05:54 PM
I too have not heard of any negative comments by Keith Boykin or by the NBJC. Like many of the posts I've read, many have never heard of Cleo Manago or BMX. I'd never heard of this group until reading the posting on Keith's website. From the mid to late 90's I was in New York quiet a bit and am sure I'd have heard of this organization as I heard of many organizations created by New York brothers. At the time, I was clery with Unity Fellowship and was often in Brooklyn at many of their non-church events which included some of these organizations. I now also find it interesting and even laughable that now people want to use the description Same-gender loving -- a term that is so old it's and has been used for many years -- all of a sudden "its new." It reminds me of back in the early 90's when the term "Men having sex with Men" was out instead of using gay or bisexual. Then we had the evolution of the "queer" nation. How about this for a new idea -- call me by my God given name! And speaking of coming together on a national level -- some five years or so ago -- there was a National organization called the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum. This was an organization for ALL of us -- including NOI LGBT/SGL people. No matter your socio-economic status, you were invited, welcomed and encouraged to participate. If you didn't have the money for registration -- there were scholarships that helped people to attend. Had we COME OUT of our safe and protected walls and out of our pocketbooks, this organization had the potential, the leadership and the energy to the THE national organization that represented ALL African-American GLBT/SGL/QUEER/HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF community. I worked with Keith Boykin when helping to organize the NBGL Forum in Dallas, TX as well as in Washington, DC. His drive is real, his intent is real, his desire to include all African-American GLBT people -- irregardless of socio-economic, educational standing -- is real. If we came together as a whole AA GLBT community, and I mean wholly accepting oneself, coming out, being involved in our organizations, being involved in our churchs that actively encouraged GLBT persons to answer their call to ministry -- then we would be a powerful entity and the NOI, GOP, RFP, the ABCs would have to recognize that we are serious and that we say what we mean and mean what we say.
Posted by: Rev. Rawls | October 20, 2005 09:56 AM
I've been reading things by (and about) Cleo Manago for over a decade. Nothing about this surprises me - his intense opposition to anything he sees as Black capitulation to the whitegaymale power elite remains intact. Same song, different decade (or century). Phill Wilson used to be the target, now it's Boykin.
Posted by: Robert | October 20, 2005 02:00 PM
Hotep.
Brother Q, thank you for your apology. I really appreciate your sensitivity. NBJC should publicly apologize to the press for their libelous remarks towards BMX & Cleo. I'm willing to live & let live, yet I'm clear our homosexual community is deeply wounded & need to heal. We will continue to affirm, educate & unify our people. Peace.
Mark
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