This blog is a visual articulation of MY views of the world around me. I will present various sides of arguments, and always sum them up with my own personal take.
My more entertaining/diverse/ridiculous/lovable blog can be found at http://mrjdjude.tumblr.com/ and I'll do all of my following from that blog as well!
Thanks and enjoy!
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Article Share: "When Gay Men Insult Women"
I have to admit that reading this article was a real sincere wake up call! Thanks to Ameneh I was introduced to this article.
Me, Ameneh and another one of our co-workers (homosexual, multi-racial male) were having a conversation about, what else, sex and relationships. During the conversation, I committed the same faux pas that the article details. After the conversation, I was sent the article. Needless to say I had egg on my face.
Although I feel like I’ve learned so much in the last 6-7 years but this article proved that I still have more to learn. Like everything, becoming an ally is a continual learning process. This was another step in mine.
In a similar but unrelated topic, I recently saw the NBA’s new commercial that speaks out against the common misuse and abuse of “that’s gay” and “no homo”. I’m glad to see the NBA take a stance against it. Unfortunately, this is only coming about after Kobe’s inflammatory comments yelled at a ref. Sometimes the best changes happen because of controversy.
All in all, I’m very thankful that I was introduced to this article. I’ve since changed my behavior, become more aware of the heteronormatives that surround us and will continue to live my life as an advocate for marginalized people.
At 23
As of 9/7/09, I am now at the tender age of 23. I have to admit, I would never have imagined my life would look the way it does at this point, but I don’t think I would change it for the world.
Right now I am living a great life in a wonderful city full of Black people! It is so much different from what I experienced in college. The best part of D.C., is for all of the Black people that live in the city, the city is appealing, and accepting of people from all different backgrounds. The area is very representative of what our nation looks like (for the most part).
As for other aspects in my life, that is a much longer tale. I love the growth I have experienced over the last 8 years, especially my last two years in college. I grew to trust my ambitions and pursuits. I learned that the world isn’t only black and white, but is filled with many different people and the true beauty of interaction is being able to work and respect one another. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that you can’t predict life; you can only deal with what is given.
I used to have this master plan. My high school sweetheart and I would go to the same college, fall even deeper in love, get married as soon as we graduate, begin a family around 24, and live happily ever after. PBFFF!!! Yeah, that never came true! The thing is, I’m so OK with that. I love where I’m at, I love the person I’m with. Although, like everything, we have work that needs to be done, the beauty of the way my life has turned out as that it is so unpredictable. I have learned just to deal with what is given to me, and make the best of it.
I have only reached this place in my life through trials, failuires, a few success, but always through deep thought. I like to think of myself as an analytical person; I hate making irrational decisions and I loathe when others make those types of choices. Being an adult, being mature, for me, means making sound, responsible, logical, and rational decisions. I hope that this year is full of rational decisions for me, and many more success than failures.
We’ll see what happens; I’ll keep you updated along the way!
-Jamil Jude
