NICK CANNON QUESTIONS HOMOPHOBIA

My friend brought the tweet to my attention and asked me to respond. I told him I would try my best, and this is what I came up with.

Poverty + Lack of Education + Lack of real power + Religion + Patriarchal Masculinity = “So homophobic.”

Black men are “so homophobic” becuase they lack real power thus overcompensating with the perceived power of heterosexuality. It’s a historical trend. The poor white upset at a lack of real power like the rich white is MORE violently racist. The fact that blacks are often “more” homophobic occurs in a society that marginalizes us. We have to “create” power. Anyone upset at being excluded from the “traditional” power structure constructs power to cope. Thus, homophobia. Black men may not be leaders of business or industry, BUT theyre “straighter” than any other race. “We don’t do that gay mess.”

It’s a failure to think outside of a power structure that excludes us. We want power but over what? Why not heterosexuality. Until we begin the business of radically re-evaluating black mens quest for power I don’t see us becoming any less homophobic. It is not unusual for those who desperately want acces to power to “create” ways to have power over others in their group or category. Black men may not have any real power in this country, but rest assured theyre “straighter” than any other race. Homophobia becomes “power.” If you’re depserately trying to get a piece of the patriarchal power pie you just might harness homophobia and misogyny for power purposes. Black mens usage of homophobia to be seen as powerful is ironic. It’s actually a glaring example of the fact that we lack power. The homophobe’s belief that he is in posession of real power is evidence of his collusion in his delusion.

Homophobia: The depravity of one who lacks real power wielding a power created by delusion.