Atlanta Post Article: Black Female Writer Defends Black Gay Men But The Readers Negative Comments Proves Homophobia Is A Problem In The Black Community.
A Missed Opportunity for Morehouse with Mean Girls?
October 26, 2010 11:48 AM
When I first heard about, then subsequently read the letter, written by Dr. Robert Franklin, president of Morehouse College, to his alumni about the forthcoming Mean Girls of Morehouse story, featured in this month’s Vibe Magazine, I kind of understood where he was coming from.
A story centered on the year-old Appropriate Attire Policy, instituted by the 143-year old all male institution, seemed likely to fan the flames of the gay rights movement. After reading the actual article, and then Dr. Franklin’s letter again, I am definitely convinced that there is something more happening, which needs to be addressed.
If you haven’t read the piece, the article highlighted a few Morehouse students, known sort of affectionately as the Plastics (hence the Mean Girls reference), who represent the small gay and gender-bending group on the University’s campus. These students’ preference for heels, makeup and expensive handbags has put them at odds with the recently instituted dress policy, which among other things, bans the wearing of feminine clothing like dresses, tunics, purses and high heeled pumps.
After much public outcry, Dr. Franklin and his staff defended the policy with claims that it was intended to produce leaders like Martin Luther King, Samuel Jackson and Spike Lee. Interesting considering that the only three things the they have in common are that they are male, graduates of Morehouse and apparently straight. However, Morehouse College is a private educational institution and it reserves the right to set the kind of standards that it feels is proper for the students in attendance.
Yet I still can’t help but think that Dr. Franklin, the staff and some of the student body are totally missing out on what could be a valuable teachable moment. As an institution of higher learning, which prides itself on building leaders, I find it odd that the College is pushing for a dress policy, which only seeks to reinforce the strict and narrow definitions of manhood.
As the University’s vice president of student affairs believed that the issue centers exclusively around “five students who are living a gay lifestyle that is leading them to dress a way we do not expect in Morehouse men,” the message is clear: it is more important that men adhere to hyper-masculine representations of manhood, without giving credence to the overall character development of these young men on the inside.
Instead of focusing on how we could get these gender-bending men to follow the pack, a more appropriate approach could have been to have open campus-wide dialog on the strict codes of masculinity and show these future leaders that there are many ways to be a man. The rules of masculinity are not only tough on young men, who are gay, but also young men, including the non-athletic, the creative and the financial challenged, who simply don’t fit the traditional mold of manhood.
Much like all-women colleges and universities, which encourages women to explore and challenge all aspects of femininity, all-men colleges and universities, should also be providing the same safe environment for all of its young student body. Whether its gender bending or some other shallow reference to manhood (such as baggy jeans and doo-rags, which the University has also banned), I think that it is important that young men feel supported, acknowledged and valued, without criticism, or insecurity.
Perhaps this change of approach could have spared Gregory Love, a Morehouse man, who was savagely beaten with an aluminum baseball bat by fellow student Aaron Price, who didn’t take too kindly to the apparent sexual attention from Love. Perhaps if Price would have been properly guided by the elders on campus to not feel threatened or emasculated by attention from the same sex, Price would have been prepared to deal with the countless other “differences” in this grand universe.
As my mother – and father – used to tell me, it’s not so much about what you wear, but the person that resides underneath. And while I strongly believe that manhood and womanhood are both social constructs, I do believe that a real man can be defined as being responsible, having good character and showing kindness and compassion to others, which are ironically all the markers of a good human being – regardless of gender.
Comments
You are a sick woman! How can you sit here and defend MEN who wear high heals, lipstick and womens clothing to an all male school! You obviously never attended an HBCU because i high doubt a graduate of one would be so filled with white liberal thought on human behavior. You are just plain sick!
I agree with your comment. There can be no flexibility when it comes to the definition of MANHOOD. MEN do not wear womens clothing, make-up or act in a feminine manner. I think it is immature, selfish and ignorant on the parties involved to try and justify their penchant for female fashion by making the Morehouse family look like they are creating an oppressive environment by implementing a stricter dress code. College is where you hone your professional skills and image. Which includes fortifying your knowledge in your chosen subject and learning how to dress for your coming professional career. It is disheartening that the Plastics are posing as an egalitarian group fighting for equal rights. Keep the cross dressing on the pageant scene “ladies”. College environment is for professional dress. The same ca be said for those who wear saggy pants, wife-beaters and club wear to class. Just stop the madness and get it together young MEN.
This article makes no sense, there is no missed opportunity, the school handled it appropriately. There is nothing wrong with asking men to wear a pair of pants and a shirt or that the pants and shirt cover their behinds. That isnt a strict definition of manhood, that is appropriate dress for the setting. I dont care what the sexuality is, it is important that Morehouse produce men that can function in society whether they be gay or straight. It is also important to produce male african american leaders who can help uplift the community. What job or leadership position can men who wear womens clothing obtain? Would anyone want their young black male child being taught by men who wear womens clothing. I doubt it. There is too much thougth that goes into how every young person feels all the time. Men should be criticized so that they can deal with criticism and the challenges they will face in society. Morehouse is trying to give these men the fortitude to handle situations that they will face in their life as black men.
They are on campus a few hours a day, dress according to code and do what you what when you get home.
While I am not against freedom, I do like to think that private schools still have rights. It is a private institution. Just like any private school, there are rules. Why can’t these men wear a normal shirt and slacks to school and then party it up all they want after class. I don’t care if a man is gay, at some point people have to understand that you can’t wear “booty clothes” to a job interview, to an office, or any real professional settings. When these young men leave school they can dress as they please, but show some respect for the school it self. Now, I don’t care about make up and small things. I just think slacks and a nice shirt should be worn while in class. Is it really asking too much?
Obviously you are against all things straight! STOP trying to make the rest of the world accept the unacceptable. Its cool that YOU like other WOMEN but there is no need to force us all to stand up and cheer for you about your decision! Nor will I applaud some dumb boys who refuse to grow up and be a man, be responsible enough to go to class and learn what it means to conduct yourself in a corporate enviornment! I dont care if you end up being an artist, model, dancer or singer or poet, writer… if you do not know how to conduct yourself in a corporate manner you will end up broke and the rest of us hard working MEN & Women will end up paying taxes to feed your useless EXTRA ass!!! – By extra I mean… the attire these dudes are wearing.
I think it’s a bit far calling this young lady sick. I actually agree with her. However, I agree with the school as well. Some things are not as cut and dry as we would like. The students need to adhere to the dress code, however Morehouse does need to address the issue, not the surface issues. The surface is we what you to dress appropriately changed must be made to the dress code, that is well within their rights and I believe beneficial to these men. They may have to go into the “regular” workforce and conform to their employers police, this is a valuable lesson. However the root of the issue is the blatant homophobic and general intolerance of the staff and student body of those that are unlike themselves. It is no not up to the students or the staff to judge rather being gay is “sick” so eloquently but by a commenter wrong or right. Your job as a human being is to treat all equally and make your judgments based ones character not skin, sexual orientation or religion. Isn’t the basic fundamentals that the late great MLK stood for? It has become painfully obvious that Morehouse has a history of a hostile environment towards these students, this is the issue that must be tackled and not a dress code.
I’m as gay friendly as the next fashion forward female… however it is an all-male school point blank and period… there are plenty of other HBCU where it wouldnt be an issue…. why go to Morehouse to dress like a woman? the whole idea of it is sick and almost as if its done to create a stir and provoke others.
2 responses to “Atlanta Post Article: Black Female Writer Defends Black Gay Men But The Readers Negative Comments Proves Homophobia Is A Problem In The Black Community.”
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- - Tuesday , November 16 , 2010
Gayblackcanada 
That’s why I think most of these black “mis-leaders” are pompous,self-serving,
thieving,and now apparently homophobic SCUM!!!