Harris Essay

How does Harris continue the arguments of Clarke? Harris continues the arguments of Clarke by describing the oppressions that were inflicted by the White homophobic culture. Black men were pressured to portray stereotypical masculine roles to discern their privilege from gay men, who were considered to be less of a man. Heterosexuality was also one of the few privileges that Black women had. In addition, Rust (as cited in Harris, 2009) suggests “many African Americans tend to see homosexuality as something that only occurs among Whites, and those who are African American and members of the LGBT community are viewed as traitors to their race” (p. 435). Furthermore, Clarke (as cited in Harris, 2009) argues how homosexuality was implied to be a “genocidal practice” and “African American women were expected to work like a man, bear and care for children like women, and submit themselves sexually to both African American and White men” (Harris, 2009, p. 438). These expectations of Black women further reinforced the stereotypical gender roles of Black …show more content…
Both groups impact how Black individuals portray themselves through gender roles enforced by society and to gravitate towards Lorde’s “mythical norm” and reinforce their privilege. For example, Harris (2009) describes how a gay man can hide their sexuality but not their race, and how “gays’ oppression is miniscule in comparison because they can hide their sexual orientation, or “pass.”” (p. 442). Moreover, “heterosexual African-American women may perceive their own race and gender oppression yet victimize lesbians, gays, and bisexuals” (Harris, 2009, p. 436). The acceptance of race and sexuality continues to be an ongoing battle with each other, and if neither are considered to be at the same social caliber, then neither will be