Why So Many Black Women Are Dying of AIDS

In a recent VEER Magazine piece I criticized Virginia's idiotic marijuana laws that serve little purpose other than to make otherwise law abiding citizens into criminals, often sending them to prison and destroying their ability to ever secure quality jobs upon their released.  No segment of the population is hit harder by these laws than young black males who lack legal counsel and get convicted whereas whites with legal counsel either secure reduced sentences or have their sentences dropped after good behavior.  I've seen it happen sitting in court with clients with code violations, so those who deny this reality are living in a fantasy world or lying to themselves. The havoc wreaked on the black community is immense, not that most Republicans give a damn since many are racists themselves or pander to racists in the party base.  As an article in the New York Times indicates, there is another sinister and deadly outcome from such failed criminal justices policies: rampant HIV/AIDS among black women.  The article looks at the failure of criminal justice in this nation and the bigotry that is fueling the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  Unfortunately, the article fails to look at the homophobia of black churches that only worsens the problem by pushing black males to be "on the down low."  Here are article highlights:

[I]t is critical that we do not overlook the significant evidence showing that the end result of these practices — the mass incarceration of nonwhite men — may also be fueling an urgent public health crisis among some of the most disadvantaged members of our society.

Although African-Americans represent about 12 percent of the United States’ population, they account for roughly half of all new infections and deaths from H.I.V./AIDS. The H.I.V. infection rate among black women is 20 times higher than for white women . . . . “If H.I.V./AIDS were the leading cause of death of white women between the ages of 25 and 34, there would be an outraged outcry in this country.”

Because most gay men do not have female sexual partners and there are relatively low rates of infection among nonblack women, and because rates of injection drug use or unprotected sex among black women are no higher than for other groups, the rapid increase in H.I.V./AIDS cases among black women has been hard to account for. But several public health studies now suggest that because people tend to select sex partners from within their own communities, higher rates of H.I.V. among men who have been in prison may raise the risk of infection in their community.

A study conducted by two professors of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, determined that from 1970 to 2000, a period in which the incarceration rates for black men skyrocketed to roughly six times the rate for non-Hispanic white men, the H.I.V./AIDS infection rate for black women rose to 19 times the rate for non-Hispanic white women. Using various sources of data to investigate the connection between these developments, they concluded that “higher incarceration rates among black males explain the lion’s share of the black-white disparity in AIDS infection rates among both men and women.” 

[I]ncarceration is a risk factor for H.I.V. infection for the following reasons: There is a higher prevalence of H.I.V. among prison populations; there are higher than average rates of sexual assault and coercive sex among men in prison; inmates have little access to condoms; injectable drugs and tattooing are risk factors that also occur in prisons; and when people are released from prison they typically have inadequate access to health care and treatment because of unemployment and poverty.

These facts suggest that an important contributor to the H.I.V. crisis among black women may be hyper-incarceration.  . . . . Outside of prison, African-Americans have the same (or lower) rates of risky sex or drug use as other Americans. Explanations like these reinforce homophobic and racist “blame the victim” attitudes. They have also impeded disease reduction by wrongly identifying vectors of transmission.

There is an urgent need for new policy approaches. We should demand rigorous enforcement of the standards mandated by the 2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act in order to significantly reduce sexual assaults and coercive sexual practices inside our prisons. We also need to insist that condoms be distributed inside all prisons, and that incarcerated individuals have access to H.I.V. testing and treatment before and after their release. Finally, we must continue to work to eliminate racial profiling in our criminal justice system, and significantly reduce incarceration rates by revising laws and punishment practices that unnecessarily send so many nonviolent lawbreakers to prison.

For those with their heads in the sand, HIV/AIDS in the black community is a huge problem in the  Hampton Roads area.  Pretending that the problem does not exist or ignoring the factor that Virginia's failed criminal justice system is playing in exacerbating the problem is idiocy and/or out right bigotry.. 

Maryland Republican: Meeting Gay Couples Left me a "Changed Person"

The Christofascists love to depict LGBT individuals as perverts, predators, recruiters of children - indeed a threat to civilization. However, those who know gays as family members, friends and neighbors for the most part readily recognize the Christianists' propaganda to be outright lies. This reality underscores the importance of living one's life out and proud whenever possible. Besides wanting to punish LGBT for nonconformity with Christianist religious beliefs, opposition to the repeal of DADT and other measures is, I suspect, motivated by the Christianist fear that the more people that know LGBT individuals and couples, the less support there will be for the Christianist anti-gay agenda. One event in the Maryland legislature demonstrates this phenomenon: a Republican member of the legislature who opposed same sex marriage changed his vote after meeting same sex couples. This is what terrifies the Christianists. Here are highlights from the Chicago Tribune:

In an effort to get the bill to the House floor, a special joint committee was formed and legislators were left scrambling for seats. [Republican Wade] Kach, who had previously backed attempts to define marriage as between one man and one woman, found a space right next to the witness table.

"I saw with so many of the gay couples, they were so devoted to another. I saw so much love," he said. "When this hearing was over, I was a changed person in regard to this issue. I felt that I understood what same sex couples were looking for."

A week later, Kach voted for the gay marriage bill on the floor of the House of Delegates, one of only two Republicans to do so. Their support proved vital, as the bill squeaked through the 141-member chamber on a 72–67 vote.

Opponents of same-sex marriage now have until June 30 to collect the 55,736 signatures needed to put a referendum on the ballot in November. Upholding the law on a popular vote, experts say, will require its supporters to navigate the twisted pathways of race and religion that have stymied similar efforts in the past, most notably in California.

The Reverend John Lunn, pastor at Berean Baptist Church in Baltimore and head of the area's conference of Baptist ministers, is confident the law will be rejected in a popular vote.

Given the slim polling margins and depth of feeling on both sides, whether Maryland will hold its first same-sex weddings next January remains in doubt. Kach at least hopes holding a referendum will give the public a chance to hear the arguments anew and perhaps be converted "the way I got the message."

Should the measure be placed on the ballot, I hope as many LGBT Marylanders as possible will be open about who they are and demonstrate the Christianists are liars - indeed, have always been liars - and open more minds and hearts.

We Were Here - A Documentary

This evening, the boyfriend and I - and many of our friends - attended a local "We Were Here" movie premiere at the NARO Cinema on Colley Avenue in Norfolk's Ghent neighborhood. For readers, I strongly recommend that if the movie becomes available where you live, go and see it. A trailer for the movie, which is apparently on a limited release is set out below. I found the movie both moving and most likely very informative for younger members of the LGBT community who did not witness the pandemic of the 1980's and first half of the 1990's. The movie was followed by a short panel presentation by personnel from ACESS AIDS Care, the largest local provider of services to those dealing with HIV/AIDS. The movie stuck me in many ways, but among the most notable were (1) the fact that things have gotten better, although HIV/AIDS continues to be a dire problem - in this area 70% of the new infections are in black males under 25 and another 20% is among young heterosexuals - and (2) the charitable works by care givers in the movie show true Christian behavior, if you will, in contrast to the hate, hypocrisy and perversion of the Gospel message that is the norm among the "pro-family" and "godly Christian" crowd. That hypocrisy applies ten fold in terms of local black churches which continue to be one of the biggest obstacles to stopping HIV transmission in the black community.

Interestingly enough, GLAAD has a new piece out that lays responsibility at the feet of black churches for difficulty in stopping new infections. Here are some highlights:

Tomorrow is World AIDS Day, the international event to strengthen global efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS. While the statistics in the Black community are daunting (in 2009 African Americans made up only 14 percent of the U.S. population and accounted for more than 44 percent of new infections), there is hope.

Researchers conducted interviews and focus groups at churches in predominately Black neighborhoods in NYC. . . . None reported specifically responding to the crisis among Black gay and bisexual men. Data revealed three prominent themes which might help explain the lack of LGBT-focused mobilization efforts:

1) ‘Love the sinner, hate the sin’ – The belief that behavior can be distinguished and separated from identity.
2) ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ – The belief that identities and behaviors should be kept private.
3) ‘Your body is a temple’ – The belief that spiritual and physical health are interconnected.

The data suggests that the body-spirit connection was often used by pastors and parishioners as way to promote or discourage being straight or gay, as opposed to a way to reduce HIV risk and promote prevention.

In conclusion, the report found that while the ‘Love the sinner, hate the sin’ and ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ ideologies represent challenges to community-level prevention, the ‘Your body is a temple’ ideology represents a missed opportunity for church-based efforts to prevent HIV among Black gay and bisexual men. The link between spiritual and physical health can be used for HIV prevention/condom promotion and to promote self-care as an act of Christian devotion.

The real irony is that in many areas it is the white, liberal members of the LGBT community who are providing the funding and many of the volunteer hours to serve members of the black community who have been largely discarded by black churches who all too often allow themselves to used as water carriers for white Christianist organization which are one step removed from white supremacist organizations. That's clearly the pattern here in Virginia.

Black Marylanders Don't Get the Message that Equality Is a Two Way Street

Odds are that I will offend some folks with my following comments, but I believe that what I am saying needs to be said because I am EXTREMELY over the double standards: If African Americans want others outside their community to support their civil rights, then they need to take off the blinders of religious based bigotry and support the full equality of others. Why do I say this? Because a new Maryland Poll shows that blacks are overwhelmingly against marriage equality for same sex couples - many of whom are stridently supportive of African-American civil rights. Sadly, Maryland African-American want others to fight for them even as they kick others to the curb and act as water carriers for the anti-gay whites whose ancestors supported slavery and the Jim Crow laws. Frankly, I am personally about done giving a damn about black civil rights. If they want to get in bed with our common enemies, then let them reap what they sow. Here are highlights from the new polling results:

Among Maryland voters today, 48% would favor (38% “strongly” favor and 10% “somewhat” favor) a law in Maryland allowing same-sex couples to marry, “giving them the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples in areas such as tax exemptions, inheritance and pension coverage,” while 49% would oppose (39% “strongly” oppose and 10% “somewhat” oppose) such a law, and 3% offered no opinion.


The results by party and race: FAVOR OPPOSE

Democrats: 64% favor - 32% oppose
Republicans: 20% favor - 79% oppose
Independents: 47% favor - 51% oppose
White: 51% favor - 46% oppose
African-American: 41% favor - 59% oppose

Perhaps I am being harsh, but if blacks want LGBT support on their causes, I expect reciprocity. This is the 21st century and the day of blindly (and in my view ignorantly and stupidly) following the dictates of homophobic bigots in church pulpits should be long over. If these people refuse to support LGBT citizens, then I'm not going to lift a finger for their causes.

Tammy Aaberg to Deliver 's Anti-Gay Bullying Petition to Michelle Bachmann

Michele Bachmann and her husband, "Marcia" Bachmann, do much to keep alive the myth that sexual orientation is a "choice" and therefore that it's perfectly fine to bully and beat the hell of out LGBT school students. Indeed, under their foul and warped version of Christianity, it's the "Christian" thing to do. It's open season on LGBT students and citizens. Despite her deep involvement in teaching and engendering homophobia, Michele Bachmann has refused to comment on the wave of bullying related suicides in the Anoka-Hennepin school district located in her home Congressional district. Bachmann likes to create a toxic atmosphere for LGBT students but doesn't have the guts - or decency - to address the fruits of her handiwork. Tammy Aaberg, whose son Justin (pictured above left) committed suicide after enduring incessant anti-gay bullying hopes to end Bachmann's efforts to dodge the issue when she delivers 130,000 petitions to Bachmann's office demanding that address the issue of anti-gay bullying in the schools.Bachmann must be challenged on the hate she helps engender and for the blood on her hands and the hands of her Christofascist allies. Here are highlights from Daily Kos on Aaberg's upcoming visit:

For months, Presidential candidate and Minnesota House Representative Michele Bachmann has been the subject of a Credo Action sponsored petition asking her to address the issue of anti-gay bullying in the schools. To date, the petition has gathered over 130,000 signatures.

Bachmann was selected because the district she represents is, not surprisingly, the ground zero of the LGBT teen bullying and suicide story. Bachmann's Minnesota Congressional District is home to the now infamous Anoka-Hennepin school district. A rash of teen suicides has swept the district, nine over two years. The Anoka-Hennepin school district has attracted international attention, including an extensive investigation by London's Daily Mail.

Anoka-Hennepin has also become the target of a Department of Justice investigation into their school policies regarding LGBT students and handling of incidents of school bullying.Justin Aaberg was once a student there, and now his mother, Tammy has agreed to deliver the petition signatures to Bachmann's office today. From Credo Action:

When Tammy Aaberg's son Justin was a 13-year-old student attending public school in Michele Bachmann's congressional district, he came out to his friends and family. What Tammy didn't know was the extent to which her son was being bullied at school. Not once was she notified by school officials of the harassment he faced.Just a few weeks after finishing his freshman year in high school, Justin hanged himself in his bedroom, and was later found by his mother and two brothers.

Now Tammy wants to take Justin's story directly to Rep. Michele Bachmann, who has been silent on the issue of anti-gay bullying in schools despite a string of nine recent teen suicides in her district. Tammy will present CREDO members' signatures at a meeting with Michele Bachmann's Minnesota office on Thursday.

And it's not just the U. S. Justice Department zeroing in on the abomination at the Anoka-Hennepin school district. The New York Times recently did an update story on a now pending lawsuit against the school district. Here are some highlights:

This sprawling suburban school system, much of it within Michele Bachmann’s Congressional district, is caught in the eye of one of the country’s hottest culture wars — how homosexuality should be discussed in the schools.

After years of harsh conflict between advocates for gay students and Christian conservatives, the issue was already highly charged here. Then in July, six students brought a lawsuit contending that school officials have failed to stop relentless antigay bullying and that a district policy requiring teachers to remain “neutral” on issues of sexual orientation has fostered oppressive silence and a corrosive stigma.

Also this summer, parents and students here learned that the federal Department of Justice was deep into a civil rights investigation into complaints about unchecked harassment of gay students in the district. The inquiry is still under way.

Through it all, conservative Christian groups have demanded that the schools avoid any descriptions of homosexuality or same-sex marriage as normal, warning against any surrender to what they say is the “homosexual agenda” of recruiting youngsters to an “unhealthy and abnormal lifestyle.”

In many larger cities, lessons in tolerance of sexual diversity are now routine parts of health education and antibully training. But in the suburbs the battle rages on, perhaps nowhere more bitterly than here in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, just north of Minneapolis. With 38,000 students, it is Minnesota’s largest school system, and most of it lies within the Congressional district of Ms. Bachmann, a Republican contender for president.

Ms. Bachmann has not spoken out on the suicides or the fierce debate over school policy and did not respond to requests to comment for this article. She has in the past expressed skepticism about antibullying programs, and she is an ally of the Minnesota Family Council, a Christian group that has vehemently opposed any positive portrayal of homosexuality in the schools.

Yes, as seems to increasingly be the case when hatred and the abuse and bullying of others is involved, its the "godly Christians" leading the charge to abuse and denigrate others. I again find myself believing that the world might be a far better place if Christianity became a dead religion.

Why do African-American Homophobes Ignore Bayard Rustin?

Recently, I have vented somewhat about the sad manner in which - at least in my opinion - the black community and black pastors continue to allow themselves to be cynically used and manipulated by white Christianist organizations that, truth be told, have contempt for blacks. Over the years I have followed many of the leading anti-gay "Christian" and "family values" organizations and perused their websites. It quickly becomes clear that many in these organizations hold views not too distant from those of the KKK when it comes to issues of racial equality. Yet time and again - most recently in Maryland - these anti-gay, anti-black, anti-Hispanic, and anti-immigrant organizations orchestrate black pastors like trained dogs to do their bidding to preserve a culture of discrimination and intolerance. Here in Virginia, it is nauseating to watch The Family Foundation (a toxic affiliate of Daddy Dobson's Focus on the Family) pull the puppet strings of black churches - some right in Norfolk within not too many blocks of my office.

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In this situation, blogger friend Alvin McEwen ask the pertinent question of why black pastors and other homophobes in the black community refuse to recognize that it was a gay man, Bayard Rustin, who played a major role in Martin Luther King's successful efforts to end segregation and bring civil equality? (A link to an account of Rustin's crucial role in the March on Washington is here) It's a question that needs asking over and over again and a subject on which those who allow their ignorance and prejudice to make them willing tools of those who despise them need to be educated. Here are highlights from Alvin's recent post (For those who may not know, Alvin is black himself - not that skin color should matter):
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Another day goes by and another ignorant black preacher sets himself up as the arbiter of just what the civil rights movement was all about. This time, it was in Iowa: Speaking before a conservative-minded crowd of around 400 on the west steps of the Capitol, Rev. Keith Ratliff criticized gay rights activists for equating their struggle with the civil rights movement of 50 years ago.
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Every time I hear an African-American leader make such statement, I always wish I could ask that leader about this man, Bayard Rustin: Bayard Rustin was an African-American openly gay aide of Martin Luther King, Jr. He organized the 1963 March on Washington. If it weren’t for him, that march would NOT have been a success.
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Yet throughout all of this, Rustin was never given an acknowledgment or credit BECAUSE he was openly gay. In a history of a movement fighting for basic dignity and humanity, you have a key fighter who was “buked, scorned, and overlooked” simply because of his sexual orientation.
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Common sense would propel one to say that this proves the kindred spirit held by both the lgbt and African-American movements for equality and dignity. How many African-Americans were overlooked because of their color? How many were kicked aside and treated badly because of the color of their skin?
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Someone please tell me the difference between disrespecting someone based on racial prejudice and doing the same thing based on homophobia. Is the feeling of being treated less than a man or a woman any different when it’s done to you based on sexual orientation rather than race?
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It just goes to show how clueless folks like Mr. Ratliff are and how they have transformed the greatness of the civil rights movement into a mockery by placing themselves as the spokespeople and the arbiters of just what it was all about.
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The civil rights movement was not solely about African-American civil rights. It was about rights in general, most specifically the right to be treated like a decent human being in spite of differences. In the grand scheme of things, it’s no different than the Solidarity Movement in Poland, the Women’s Right Movement worldwide, or yes, the LGBT Rights Movement worldwide.
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The desire for dignity and self-determination is universal. It crosses all genders, ethnicities and sexual orientations. No amount of fancy speeches will change that. And no amount of individuals gaining their reputations from exploiting the blood, sweat, and toil of those who sacrificed themselves long ago will ever change that either.
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It drives me crazy that those who don't have a full and complete history willingly allow themselves to be co=opted by those who are actually their enemies.

Quote of the Day on Pastor Eddie Long

I have already shared my thoughts on the ongoing sex scandal engulfing Atlanta mega church pastor Eddie Long (pictured above with Chimperator Bush) who seems destined to fall as more of the titillating details become public. Besides being a closet case, Long also seems to be now reaping the results of his pride and hubris. Andrew Sullivan states the case quite simply as to why religious denominations need to dump their homophobia on the trash heap of history and embrace modern knowledge about sexual orientation.. One can only wonder how many more pastors like Long are out there. Here's Andrew's comment from yesterday:
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Yet another anti-gay religious right figure is seriously accused of abusing his authority to get young men to have sex with him. He did not fully deny it this morning. This is not on a par with the Catholic church's abuse of minors, because the men were (just) of legal age. But the now almost constant revelations of gay religious leaders preaching and campaigning against themselves, while finding it impossible to live a life without love and sexual intimacy that is real to them, reveal the tragedy of homophobia, especially in religious life where so many gay people find themselves drawn, and where many do great and important work - but are simultaneously asked to destroy their own psyches and lacerate their own souls.
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There is only one way out: to embrace gayness as part of God's creation, to find a way to bless gay relationships, to celebrate the diversity of humankind, and to love one another, instead of hating ourselves.
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How many lives have to be wrecked before we get beyond this lie?

Anti-Gay Bill Circulating In Uganda

Like many nations in Africa Uganda has many problems that need attention and coordinated efforts between the country's government and liberal outside agencies that can provide needed services and funding. Abject poverty is one such problem. All too typically, however, the national government and Christian extremists within the country are focused on demonizing gays and working on punitive anti-gay legislation. Actions that will only give the country a bad name and likely discourage some sources of aid to look to different countries in which to concentrate their efforts. Just as in backwards areas of the USA - e.g., Southwest Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, etc. - this type of governmental action only makes Uganda LESS attractive for foreign investment and activities that will promote education and jobs. This, of course is fine with Christianist religious leaders because an ignorant populace is key to their continued power and control. It is truly a sick situation and personally, other than a pro-gay organization, I would not give even a dime to an organization that would spend my money in Uganda. Here are highlights from Box Turtle Bulletin:

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Uganda appears to be inching closer to “strengthening” its already draconian anti-gay laws which already provide for a possible life sentence for those convicted of homosexuality. A draft of the proposed bill obtained by Box Turtle Bulletin indicates that Ugandan lawmakers intend to go much further.

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In a draft dated April 20, 2009 and being circulated surreptitiously, the proposed bill creates an offense of “aggravated homosexuality” and provides for the death penalty under specific circumstances. It also provides for at least five years imprisonment (and no apparent maximum) for advocating on behalf of LGBT people. This extends not just to activists and organizations, but to individuals as well, including bloggers or anyone else using the internet or mobile phones — as well as anyone who makes a donation or offers a safe refuge for LGBT people. Furthermore, if anyone is “aware of the commission of any offense under this Act” and fails to report it to the police, they will be liable of up to six months imprisonment.

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The accompanying memorandum calls on the Uganda government to withdraw from any international obligations or treaties which the government interprests as running counter to the country’s anti-gay policies.

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In July, Uganda’s Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity James Nsaba Buturo confirmed their intention to eliminate free speech for and on behalf of LGBT people. Meanwhile, a full-fledged public vigilante campaign was released on Uganda’s gay community, leading to several reports of arrests and reports.

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A full copy of the proposed bill can be found at Box Turtle Bulletin. Candidly, the country is going to Hell in a hand basket and the anti-gay jihad appears to be yet one more way for the national government to distract people from its failed rule. Likewise, the Christianist extremist once again are using LGBT lives to further their own goals and thirst for power. I find it all sickening.

JASMYNE CANNICK: What Blacks Can Learn From Gays

Jasmyne Cannick - with whom I do not always agree - has an interesting column up that raises an issue that seems relevant in the Hampton Roads area as well as California: undue focus by members of the black community on issues that do not improve the lives of black citizens. Locally, a number of black churches are utterly obsessed with opposing gay marriage and gay rights and expend energy and money better spent on issues that would improve employment and other matters that have a true everyday impact on the black community. Worse yet, these same churches are unwittingly cynically manipulated by the modern day descendants of the same groups that opposed segregation, voting rights, etc. 8Here are some highlights from Jasmyne's column:

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Before you open that bottle of champagne, can of beer, or bottle of Hennessy in celebration of last week’s decision by the California Supreme Court upholding Proposition 8 and the ban on gay marriage, did you ever stop to think maybe the jokes on us?

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I mean think about it. Last November, Blacks voted overwhelmingly in support of Proposition 8, ensuring that lesbian and gay couples, including Black couples, continue to be treated as second-class citizens. Everyone had an opinion from the tennis courts to the pulpit. And no matter whether Black support of Proposition 8 had more to do with religious beliefs or just plain old-fashioned homophobia, the fact still remains that two people getting married, same-sex or not, has no financial impact whatsoever on the rest of us. None. We may not like it, but at the end of the day, gay marriage doesn’t take food from anyone’s mouth, clothes off of anyone’s back, or a roof from over someone’s head. But judging from the way we acted, you would have thought that it did.

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Which leaves me to question if Blacks are more concerned about whether two men or women commit to loving and caring for each other than they are about cuts to vital programs that affect all of us? Because let me tell you, me getting married tomorrow isn’t nearly going have the same impact on Black California as hundreds of thousands of out of work, hungry, and homeless Black people are. You think crime is bad now, you just wait and see. Message!

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Lest I forget to mention that our support of Proposition 8 only ensured that gay organizations fighting for marriage continue to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep the fight going, while many Black organizations are operating on the brink of bankruptcy. Message!

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I wonder if Blacks would ever think of protesting their first Black President to make sure that he addressed issues relevant not only to middle class Americans but to those Americans living at or below the poverty line. I’m just saying, while I don’t always agree with the gay community’s tactics, they sure do know how to make their voice heard. Message! With all of the issues facing Black Californian’s today—home foreclosures, unemployment, homelessness—gay marriage remains at the forefront of the Democratic agenda for Black elected officials and that’s not by accident.

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And while many of our Black churches were so instrumental in making sure that their congregations supported Proposition 8, I can’t say that the same energy has been put into making sure that we’re aware of the impact by the Governor’s proposed budget cuts on Blacks in California. So I’ll say it again, maybe the joke is on us.

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[O]ur support of non-relevant issues like Proposition 8 while ignoring the real issues that affect us all will ensure that Blacks continue to be at the bottom of the food chain in California—even with a Black President in Office. Black people need to stop focusing on issues that we have no control over and that do not affect our pocketbook and quality of life in the least bit and shift that energy into addressing the issues that do affect all of us and that we can control. . . .