University of Texas Tower
Mistaken Impression That U.S. Racism Problem Is Fixed
RECEIVED Mon., Dec. 1, 2008
Dear Editor,
Regarding Jason Metzler’s letter in the Nov. 28 issue of the Chronicle ("Why Do We Always Have to Hate?") [Postmarks]: I must take issue with Mr. Metzler's comment that "since we don't hate African-Americans anymore, we have come out in droves to hate gay and lesbian Americans." Since the elections, many of us seem to be under the mistaken impression that by electing Obama, we have somehow "fixed" racism in the U.S. Such a belief is dangerous not only because it no longer positions racism as something we need to continually work against but because it ignores the very real subtle acts of racism and race bias that we as white Americans are oblivious to or perpetuate every day. Furthermore, the assertion that "gays are the new blacks" is dismissive and naive. Among other things, it falsely implies that the oppressions faced by these communities are so similar as to be interchangeable, and it also leaves no room for those who live at the intersection of those communities and might not find it so easy to draw a line through the center of their identity. Mr. Metzler, while I share your pain at the outcome of these anti-gay ballot measures, I would challenge you to look beyond the easy dichotomy of your letter.
Regarding Jason Metzler’s letter in the Nov. 28 issue of the Chronicle ("Why Do We Always Have to Hate?") [Postmarks]: I must take issue with Mr. Metzler's comment that "since we don't hate African-Americans anymore, we have come out in droves to hate gay and lesbian Americans." Since the elections, many of us seem to be under the mistaken impression that by electing Obama, we have somehow "fixed" racism in the U.S. Such a belief is dangerous not only because it no longer positions racism as something we need to continually work against but because it ignores the very real subtle acts of racism and race bias that we as white Americans are oblivious to or perpetuate every day. Furthermore, the assertion that "gays are the new blacks" is dismissive and naive. Among other things, it falsely implies that the oppressions faced by these communities are so similar as to be interchangeable, and it also leaves no room for those who live at the intersection of those communities and might not find it so easy to draw a line through the center of their identity. Mr. Metzler, while I share your pain at the outcome of these anti-gay ballot measures, I would challenge you to look beyond the easy dichotomy of your letter.
Katie Mahoney
