re: #414 HappyWarrior

I will confess here that until I was about 14 or so, I had the usual juvenile homophobia that was common in that time period. I used faggot. I used gay as a pejorative. I thought being gay was “gross.” So no, I’m not perfect. But I realize now and as I got older that gays aren’t gross. People don’t choose their orientation. I didn’t choose to be straight. I knew I was attracted to women as I hit puberty. I also learned later that gay men and women are no different than straight men and women. Some like traditionally massculine or feminine things. That there is no “homosexual lifestyle” anymore than there is a “heterosexual liefstyle.” That some gay people are jerks but they’re not jerks because they’re gay, they’re jerks because they’re what I think makes a jerk.

And I guess that’s what I just want these guys with this stuff lurking to be upfront about. I don’t think Northam or especially Herring is a racist now. I don’t think Herring would have supported the causes he does and associated with as many black politicians and other civic leaders he has if he were. But I just want you if you’re going to put yourself in public life be honest about your past prejudices and doings that would be considered wrong.

I have this memory of my Dad telling me about a time he used the n-word on my Uncle. Dad had to been like 7 or so and my uncle was a few years older. My grandfather told my Dad that he never wanted to hear his children use that word. That story told me a lot about my grandfather who I never knew but also my dad to some extent to since he’s willing to admit that he certainly had prejudice that he thought that word was okay at some point.

As a Virginian, can you explain the context of a White person wearing black-face? What prompts it? What is it meant to demonstrate? I assume it generally occurs in settings when Black people aren’t around.