AngryGayBlackCanadianman

I think the L Word doesn’t go far enough in exploring lesbianism. Sometimes the sex scenes on the L Word appear fractured and not very sensual. Why is it just insinuated when one woman is stimulating another? Why can’t we actually see the stimulation? Why can’t the show actually “show” the women actually having sex? What is the fear?

The L Word is on cable television so the writers and producers should have more freedom. I don’t understand why hold back on the passion? I think the producers behind the L Word should take the sexuality to the next level and explore the passionate love between women. Although I think this clip between Brenda and Tina is wonderful and totally sexy and cute. It is kind of weird to see Tina not with Bette though. I still think the scene is passionate.

What does it mean to be black, female, and lesbian? Audre Lorde a black lesbian feminist attempts to answer these questions in her groundbreaking book “Sister Outsider”. How does a black lesbian woman negotiate between the gay, heterosexual, and black heterosexual spheres? Is the feminist movement a movement where the black woman can work in concert with white females? Or are mainstream feminists simply racists that want to devalue the experiences and views of black women?

“Sister Outsider” was published in the year 1984 by the Crossing Press. Lorde believes poetry and writing is important for black female emancipation. Lorde view is poetry is essential for people to express themselves and she views limiting poetry as a form of class bias and prejudice. Lorde discusses the “mythical norm” which is the white, thin, Christian, heterosexual male. Lorde says the mythical norm has the ultimate power in society since everyone is compared to the white heterosexual man. The mythical norm also creates, enforces, and legislates, laws that discriminate against the black woman.

Lorde also states that in order for emancipation to occur literacy is paramount. Lorde’s view is in order for for black liberation to occur people of African descent we must work together despite our differences. Lorde does not believe in separation from the black male she rejects white heterosexual feminist politics that focuses exclusively on gender. Lorde’s view is race matters and to ignore race and class is to ignore reality.

There has been a lot of discussion on the internet that Sex & The City star Cynthia Nixon’s partner the education activist Christine Marinoni isn’t physical “attractive”. It is true obviously Christine isn’t as “pretty” as Cynthia and maybe that’s the point. Maybe Cynthia doesn’t care about looks?

I guess the old saying is true love is blind. I guess Christine must have a heart of gold. Maybe Cynthia sees something in Christine that nobody else sees someone that loves her and respects her. I was thinking perhaps this has to do with the fact in the lesbian community looks don’t matter as much as the mainstream and gay male communities?

It appears to me that the lesbian communities are more egalitarian. Lesbian culture don’t seems so superficial as gay male culture. In the gay male communities it is all about designer clothes, designer homes, designer bags, being rich and looking perfect. How can I possibly compete? Why should I even bother trying? Maybe if it was possible I should cross over to lesbianism? LOL! I am so sick of gay male culture sometimes! I am so sick of gay men they are so pretentious!

Honestly, look at Portia De Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres based on appearances Portia is clearly more physically stunning then Ellen. Ellen is also fifteen years older then Portia some people say they are using each other. Some internet blogs suggest that Portia is dating Ellen for social status and money and Ellen is dating Portia because she is young, beautiful, and sexually attractive. Another theory is Portia makes Ellen look good. Honestly, doesn’t anyone wonder how someone as unattractive as Ellen can obtain such sexy hot girlfriends?

Ellen DeGeneres is not a good looking woman compared to Portia De Rossi. Portia is young, slim, beautiful, feminine, and a great actress and she has excellent fashion sense. Ellen is a butch lesbian she dresses very masculine she tends to wear suits and doesn’t seem to care about her appearance.

Maybe it is a good thing in the lesbian community you don’t have to be fit, or young, or be in the best shape to have a partner. In the gay male community looks are so important and youth is also placed on a pedestal as well.

There is an intense pressure in the gay male community to look “perfect” to have the rock hard abs, the chiseled body, the toned legs, the shiny teeth, perfect hair, and face. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be a lesbian for a day ? I don’t get the sense that being “thin” or having the “perfect body” is important in the lesbian community.

I could be wrong but that’s the assumption that I have. I am serious, if it was physically possible to become a lesbian for a day would it be easier for me to find a partner? In the lesbian world it seems looks don’t matter at all you don’t have to be physically attractive and in perfect shape all that matters is having a nice personality it seems.

One of the reasons I started writing this blog is because I want to provide an alternative perspective to the Eurocentric mainstream gay culture. I definitely am not a spokesperson for black gay people so please don’t think that I am. I am simply one gay black man providing my perspective and views about the world. I am no leader or expert. I am a controversial, assertive, and outspoken man.

I used to visit mainstream gay blogs only feeling empty, very bored, restless, and yearning for more. I decided I had to start my own blog to claim my space and let my voice be heard. I don’t subscribe to just going with the flow I am an independent thinker. I also wasn’t impressed with the pernicious racism on some of the mainstream gay blogs. I decided instead of just complaining about life I’m going to take action. I want to make a difference in my own way. I know I cannot save the world but I can provide my perspective and arguments on my own blog.

On my blog I have the control nobody can censor me. I was thinking to myself the other day who are my heroes? The black gay and lesbians that inspire me are too many. I decided today I am going to salute a few of the incredible black gays and lesbians that have made a difference in this world.

I remember during my undergraduate days one very important course I learned a lot from was introduction to Women’s Studies. I love Introduction to Women’s Studies because I learned about different forms of feminism. Feminism is not against men in fact feminism is in concert in fighting various forms of oppression such as homophobia, class privilege, racism, health care racism, and institutionalized discrimination and many more.

I recall reading about the black lesbian feminist group the Combahee River Collective and and intrigued with their work. One of the founding members of the Combahee River Collective was Barbara Smith. The Combahee River Collective is a very important black feminist organization. Barbara Smith is also one of the editors of the groundbreaking book “All The Women Are White All The Blacks Are Men But Some Of Us Are Brave”.

“All The Women Are White All The Blacks Are Men But Some Of Us Are Brave” was published in the year 1982 this book is still very relevant. Recent racist comments by white heterosexual mainstream feminists such as Geraldine Ferraro and Gloria Steinem highlight the racial and cultural divide. The Combahee River Collective state black women cannot divorce themselves from the black race and just think about gender. Barbara Smith, Gloria T Hull, and other black feminists state race, gender, class, sexual orientation are inextricably linked.

I think the book “All The Women Are White All The Blacks Are Men But Some Of Us Are Brave” is such an important book especially right now. The media refuses to engage in a dialogue with the public about the racial and cultural divide in the feminist movement.If you read the book you will know the reasons why it does exist.

For example, Naomi Wolf is a mainstream pop culture feminist she’s just a businesswoman. I have read Naomi Wolf’s work in the beginning of her career the “Beauty Myth” is an important book. However, I began to read more of Wolf’s work and realized she is an elitist. Wolf may receive mainstream approval from Oprah but when I listen to Wolf I cringe she is less relevant to feminism these days. Naomi Wolf doesn’t care about black women or about people of colour. I prefer to read the works of bell books, Patricia Hill Collins, and Barbara Smith because their work puts theory into context.

Some white feminists focus only on gender and ignore race and class. Some white feminists refuse to acknowledge their role in discriminating against people of colour, their white skin privilege, and benefiting from the marriage market to powerful white heterosexual men.

Essex Hemphill is very important to me. I recall during my undergraduate days I read his incisive and incendiary book “Ceremonies”. Hemphill opened my eyes to the hidden oppression black gay men endure in North America. Although I am not African American I am a black gay man. I was able to feel Hemphill’s pain when he discussed the hypocrisy of the black heterosexual community about homophobia. Hemphill also discussed a very important issue the ways in which black gay men are treated as sex objects by a hostile and very racist white gay male community. Television shows such as Queer As Folk are a perfect example of this bigotry. On Queer As Folk the only time black men are on the program is during an intense sex scene. Black gay men are depicted as bodies and not as three dimensional and complex people. Queer As Folk is such a disservice but I am not surprised by the deleterious racism and sexism against black men on that program.

Audre Lorde is another black lesbian activist I love! Lorde’s book “Sister Outsider” is a black feminist classic. Lorde highlights the issue of the “Mythical Norm” which is the white, thin, Christian, heterosexual male. “The Mythical Norm” has the ultimate power in society and the white Republican party and the white Christian right are perfect examples of this. Lorde also wrote about the fallacy of the “Global Sisterhood” in feminism. Lorde says that feminism needs to be real about racism within the movement.

Patrik Ian Polk may be young but his incredible television show “Noah’s Arc” is so important to me. Ian Polk took the initiative and transformed pop culture. Thank goodness for Noah’s Arc and thank goodness black gay men we are no longer on the sidelines or in the back row we are in the front row! The issues that are important to black gay culture emerge and thank goodness for that! Black gay men we are no longer in the shadows in pop culture. Patrik Ian Polk has a huge role in demonstrating black gay men we fall in love, we have friends, jobs, careers, families, difficulties, just like everyone else.

Finally I was able to see people that looked like me that are black and gay fall in love. Black gay love is so important and Noah’s Arc is a groundbreaking television program. I wish Noah’s Arc was able to reach a larger black heterosexual audience though. Why isn’t Noah’s Arc on BET or MTV? Viacom is the parent company for BET and MTV so I don’t see why Noah’s Arc can’t be returned to television. For a very long time I have yearned to see black gay men in love with each other.

Patrik Ian Polk’s television show Noah’s Arc shatters a lot of cultural, racial, and social barriers. The program does not ignore gay racism which is rampant in the North American gay communities. Black gay men we are presented as comfortable with our sexual orientation and our racial identity. We are not depicted as licentious sex objects but as real people. On Noah’s Arc the black gay men are cognizant of the black issues. Some black straight people think just because black gay men we are gay we lose our blackness and that is false. Noah’s Arc also explored issues important to the black gay community. I can’t wait for the Noah’s Arc movie to come out this year!!!

Langston Hughes is also a gay black hero but he was reticent about his homosexuality due to the pernicious homophobia of the black heterosexual community. Hughes poetry has dealt with homoerotic themes. The poems such as joy, desire, cafe 3am, waterfront streets, tell me, young sailor all deal with homoeroticism. The writer Faith Berry also wrote a biography on Hughes and discusses the fact Hughes loved black men and he had a Jamaican lover. Arnold Rampersad also wrote two memoirs about Langston Hughes and he admits Hughes was indeed a homosexual. Hughes is a major inspiration to me because he was a black gay male writer he also believed in black activism and human rights.

Lorraine Hansberry is a black lesbian icon and she was an amazing playwright. The heterosexual black media always discuss Hansberry’s play “A Raisin In The Sun” refusing to acknowledge Hansberry was also a black lesbian. Hansberry also concealed her lesbianism during her lifetime she encountered multiple layers of oppression. Black women encounter racism, sexism, and also homophobia. Hansberry wrote for the lesbian publication “The Ladder” in the 1950s. Hansberry is known for her electrifying play “A Raisin In the Sun” yet the public doesn’t know she was also a black lesbian.

I was talking to my friend on the phone the other day and he was watching You Tube. My friend was laughing at the Sasha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell kiss during an award show. I should point out we are both gay men. My friend urged me to watch the clip. I have to admit I laughed as well. I looked at the audience in the clip there were also laughing. Cohen and Ferrell are rolling around on the ground kissing but it was meant for shock value.

I began to question myself and wonder why is the clip funny? Why was I laughing as well? Am I homophobic too? Was the joke funny because it was just two comedians making a joke or is there a more deeper and subversive issue taking place here? Is society trying to say two men cannot have a loving, passionate, relationship with each other?

After all would the audience laugh if two attractive women were kissing? Would the audience have been so shocked? Was the audience really laughing at the kiss or was the audience laughing in attempt to hide their own fear and prejudices about male homosexuality?

Here is another clip from the gay storyline on the American soap opera As The World Turns. For the past six months Luke and Noah have been in an intense and passionate gay romance. Luke and Noah have only kissed two times in the past six months. The heterosexual couples on As The World Turns get to have sex so why can’t Luke and Noah? Everyone knows Luke and Noah are gay so were is the passion? The kiss between Noah and Luke although very short demonstrates the passion between them. You are not supposed to laugh when Luke and Noah kiss you are supposed to yearn that their relationship works and that their love survives and thrives. Fans of the show As The World Turns are upset at CBS because they believe homophobia is the real reason Luke and Noah haven’t been allowed to kiss more often.

Here is a third clip from the lesbian drama the L Word. The scene is from the first season of the L Word a passionate and erotic kiss between Jenny and Marina. You can tell from their body language that Jenny and Marina are yearning for each other. I know some people don’t like Jenny but I love Jenny! I kind of wish Marina was on the show more often. Marina was such a mysterious and amazing character. I thought the kiss here was very important it was the first time Jenny and Marina acknowledged they are sexually attracted to each other. The L Word is on Showtime in America and that’s a cable station so there is more freedom to explore lesbianism, love, passionate sex, breaking up, making up, and all that jazz.

French Tennis superstar Amelie Mauresmo admitted to the French sports magazine L’Equipe recently that she is considering retirement. I have feelings of sadness when I heard about Amelie’s frustration with her career. I wonder if Amelie is satisfied? After all Amelie is now a tennis champion and her place in women’s tennis history is secure. For a long time the media labeled Amelie as a consistent choker unable to win the grand slams. Amelie even wondered prior to 2006 if she ever would become a champion.

Amelie’s ranking has dropped significantly she is currently ranked number twenty nine in the world. Amelie had a horrible 2007 she only won one WTA title an event in Antwerp Belgium, lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon, and she also skipped the US Open. It is important to point out Amelie wasn’t injured when she skipped the US Open she decided not to play due to lack of motivation. I think Amelie should perhaps limit her schedule to keep herself fresh this year. The WTA tour is a real grind the women travel all over the world to play tennis. I think Amelie should concentrate on only the big events to try to acquire more ranking points. I also am suggesting to Amelie perhaps she can play some tier III events to boost her confidence. If Amelie can win the smaller events maybe this will give her some mental strength back?

One of the complaints tennis fans have about Amelie is her tendency to give up when things get tough. Amelie is a champion she has proven she is no flake she is for real. All tennis champions have times in their career when things aren’t going well. Venus, Serena, Maria, Justine, Lindsay, they all have had droughts it happens. I am not a professional athlete and I am sure Amelie’s disappointing results must be frustrating for her.

However, I also notice Amelie has been playing a more defensive game in the past year. Amelie is at her best when she is charging the net serving and volleying not when she is on the baseline chipping back slice backhands. Where is the aggression from Amelie? Why isn’t Amelie returning back to a more assertive game that carried her to two grand slam titles in 2006? I remember Amelie used to be fearless on the court blasting powerful forehands, backhands, hitting huge serves and knocking off volleys.

I believe Amelie can compete with the Williams Sisters, Justine Henin, and Maria Sharapova she’s got the game. It is foolish for the mainstream media to count Amelie Mauresmo out she is the kind of player that has the experience to win slams. Amelie can be very dangerous if her game does get on track and she connects with the ball. All Amelie needs to do is win some events and her confidence will be restored.

I always have a soft spot for Amelie Mauresmo because she is the first player in the current generation to declare she is a lesbian. Unlike the male tennis players the women’s tennis tour is so much more mature because women seem to be more understanding around issues of sexuality. I am not suggesting some heterosexual women cannot be homophobic because this is definitely not the case. However, I also believe that men force other males to remain in a rigid form of masculinity. The gay male tennis players live in fear due to heterosexual men.

Where are the gay male tennis players? Why are the gay men on the ATP Tour cowards? There have been rumours for years about certain Spanish and French males tennis players hiding their homosexuality. However, there has never been any clear confirmation that the Spaniards or the French men are gay. If the lesbians can come out and become tennis champions why can’t the gay male tennis players come out too? Tennis is not a team sport professional tennis is an individual sport. Wouldn’t it be easier for a gay male tennis player to come out in tennis then a team sport? So why are the gay male tennis pros still reticent and the women are so courageous?

The women on the WTA Tour don’t that care Amelie is a lesbian in fact they respect Amelie so much and like her. Amelie has never lied or denied she is a lesbian and soon the attention of the media returned to her tennis. Although I am a gay man I think it takes so much courage to come out and Amelie came out to the world.

The WTA Tour has a history of lesbianism dating back to the 1960s. Former Wimbledon and Us Open champion Maria Bueno and American Darlene Hard were lesbian lovers.  Virginia Wade the last British woman to ever win Wimbledon in 1977  has been rumored for years being a closeted lesbian. It wasn’t until the 1980 when Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King came out of the closet as lesbian tennis champions. At the 2006 Australian Open the Australian player Renee Stubbs came out to the Melbourne newspaper The Age. Stubbs disclosed that she used to date American Lisa Raymond. Spaniard and former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez is a lesbian and she used to date American Gigi Fernandez back in the 1990s. There are rumors that Jana Novotna and Hana Mandlikova used to be lesbian lovers. In fact, another rumor is that Russian player Svetlana Kuznetsova is a lesbian and the Australian tennis player Samantha Stosur is also a lesbian.

I think it is important when the champions come out of the closet because it demonstrates gay people can compete at the highest levels in professional sports. So where are the gay male tennis champions? The late great Bill Tilden can’t be the only gay man to ever play the game? There simply has to be more gay male tennis champions? So why are men immature and cowards and women aren’t?

There has been some homophobia on the WTA tour when Amelie came out in 1999 I remember Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis were so homophobic making fun of Amelie’s appearance and claiming she wasn’t feminine enough. If you look at Amelie Mauresmo she is more feminine then Davenport that’s for sure. Aren’t women tennis players athletes? So why the double standard in relation to male and female athletes? Ana Ivanovic said it best you can’t be wearing make up and trying to look sexy when you are sweating on the tennis court.

Tracy Austin the termagant tennis analyst also made a homophobic comment during the 2006 US OPEN on USA Network. I was so disgusted with Austin comparing Amelie to the new tennis ingenue Maria Sharapova. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder I don’t understand the big deal about Sharapova’s looks? Big deal, Maria is tall and blonde and yes she’s a solid player but so is Amelie. Amelie has a gentle side to her personality she is actually quite slender also. There are plenty of women on the WTA tour that are bigger then Amelie Mauresmo.

Amelie’s breakthrough year was 2006 she was the top player in the world and won the Australian Open and Wimbledon championships. Amelie’s confidence is gone she hasn’t fully mentally recovered from the appendix surgery she had last year. I still believe Amelie can win more slams but it is all up to her.

The French Open commences in May but the pressure is so intense in France for Amelie to win the event. Amelie always crumbles under the pressure in Paris she has never advanced beyond the French Open quarterfinals in her career. Belgian Justine Henin has won the French Open four times in the past five years. Amelie is one of the few women that can defeat Justine on the clay. I hope Amelie continues to play she shouldn’t retire at the age of twenty eight I still believe she can win another slam.

The ABC television movie “A Raisin In The Sun” will be broadcast on February 25th 2008 at 8:00pm. The television film fulfills the black quota for “black history month”. Pop star Sean Combs is the protagonist Walter Lee Younger. The title of the movie refers to black gay poet Langston Hughes poem “Harlem”.

African American lesbian playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s legendary play once again will be brought back to television to reach a new generation next week. Hansberry was the first black lesbian playwright to have a play produced on Broadway in 1959. “A Raisin In the Sun” was a huge success for Hansberry and launched her career.

The general public of course does not know that Lorraine Hansberry was a lesbian due to homophobia. Why is black lesbianism considered “private” yet “heterosexuality” is a part of the public domain? Although Hansberry married a white Jewish man Robert Nemiroff in 1953 the couple separated in 1957 and divorced in 1964.Hansberry was conscious of her lesbian identity and she negotiated between the public and private spheres. Black lesbians encountered racism from the mainstream, white gay culture, and also persecution from heterosexual blacks.

Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbian identity emerges from the articles she wrote for the lesbian publication “The Ladder” in the late 1950s. Hansberry did not use her full name when she wrote articles for “The Ladder” she used her initials L.H. instead. In the 1950s in America gays and lesbians lived in fear due to witch hunts against homosexuals. Black lesbian women encountered a triple form of oppression in relation to their race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Can you imagine the difficulties black lesbians endured in the 1950s? Homosexuality was still considered a mental illness that can be cured. The topic of human sexuality was still taboo in the 1950s. America was sexually repressed due to heterosexual male domination and male supremacy. The racial and sexual apartheid existed in the United States and black lesbians lived in constant danger due to racism, sexism and homophobia. The civil rights and gay movements did not gather strength until the 1960s.

Black lesbians encountered racism from white lesbians and were barred from entering white lesbian bars and establishments during the 1950s. Black lesbians also endured gender discrimination due to being women and unwanted sexual advances of dangerous, violent, and hostile heterosexual men.

Hansberry was indeed a lesbian but this important component of black queer history should not be erased by the homophobic Occidental world. Heterosexual black publications always ignore the important fact Hansberry was a lesbian. I didn’t know Lorraine Hansberry was a lesbian until I read lesbian activist, feminist, poet, and writer Adrienne Rich’s incisive essay “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence”. Rich’s analysis is correct society attempts to erase, diminish, and destroy the contributions of lesbians in many ways. I believe the silence about Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbianism is due to the negative attitude that still exists against homosexuals.

Why is the term lesbianism treated like a scatological word? One argument is some straights believe “it doesn’t matter” and if people discover that Lorraine Hansberry was a black lesbian it might “scare people off” from watching the movie. Why is there this invisible code and this silent barrier? If black lesbian emancipation is to occur why is black lesbianism still a social taboo? Society appears to have a love and hate relationship with lesbianism.

The political, cultural, social, and artistic merits of black lesbians such as Lorraine Hansberry must be celebrated and not treated as some shameful abhorrent secret. It is the year 2008 so why are we still reticent? Why hasn’t this final chasm been shattered and the truth still shrouded in silence? Lorraine Hansberry proves that black gay people care about the black community. Often heterosexual blacks believe black gays and lesbians only focus on sexual orientation and ignore race. Lorraine Hansberry proves through art that she was cognizant of the racial, social and political polemics blacks endured during the civil rights era. “A Raisin In The Sun” is about a fictional family struggling to survive in 1950s Chicago at a time when America’s social and racial apartheid was at full strength.

Virtually all the articles published about “A Raisin In The Sun” always mentions Lorraine Hansberry’s race and her gender but excludes her sexual orientation. The question is why? It appears in the year 2008 homophobia reigns supreme. Lesbianism is more then just a sexual act there is more to lesbianism then just sex. Lesbians are women that are not sexually attracted to men but there is an illogical fear of lesbianism in society that lesbians are anti male.

Lorraine Hansberry lived a double life a life where she constantly was in fear that the heterosexist matrix would discriminate against her since she was a black lesbian. The real Lorraine Hansberry is blurred between the printed lines of “A Raisin In The Sun”. The sentences, paragraphs, thoughts, feelings, emotions, and doubt, lives in Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play. “A Raisin In The Sun” is about emancipation and personal determination I believe this also relates to the struggles gays and lesbians encounter. Perhaps Hansberry used her play as a metaphor to explore the internal struggles she endured during her own life?

Lorraine Hansberry’s incredible groundbreaking play proves that black gay and lesbian people were cognizant of the struggles blacks endured in the mid 20th century. Hansberry wanted to bring a greater awareness to the incredible racism, sexism, and economic discrimination African Americans experienced in the United States.

Lorraine Hansberry is very important she shattered an artistic and cultural barrier in the performing arts. It is such a disservice to ignore Hansberry was a lesbian. Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbian identity should not be concealed in the shadows and be treated as an afterthought. I believe it is imperative, and crucial that there be a dialogue about how Hansberry’s play relates to her lesbian identity. It is simply disgraceful that the mainstream press to ignore and attempt to erase the importance of lesbianism in Lorraine Hansberry’s life and art.

The articles Lorraine Hansberry wrote for “The Ladder” are very passionate and powerful she wrote about the struggles she endured as a black lesbian woman in the mid 20th century. Legendary African American actors Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier were the stars of the original stage version of the play and the 1961 feature film. Sadly, Lorraine Hansberry died in her prime at the tender age of thirty four in 1965 due to pancreatic cancer. Lorraine Hansberry died at a very young age she was such an incredible talent.

The press have showered the movie with a lot of praise saying the three hour film is a testament of Hansberry’s incredible talent. The cast includes Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, Audra McDonald, and the omnipotent Sean Combs. I will admit I might take a peek at the movie. However, I am not impressed that Sean Combs or P Diddy or whatever that guy calls himself is the star of the film. I wanted a younger black male actor to be the star of the movie.

The crisis in black Hollywood is the paucity of film roles available for young black actors. I am sure some black actors are seething right now that Sean Combs is the star of the film. In white Hollywood you rarely ever see a “singer” attain a prestigious movie role these days. Can you imagine Jon Bon Jovi as the star in a movie about Elvis? So why is there a double standard for black Hollywood? Why do untalented bottom feeders such as Sean Combs get to the be star of such an important movie?

I really feel for the talented young black male actors that are training hard at various universities, colleges, theater programs, across North America and the world. The only reason Sean Combs was hired is due to greed. The producers and director behind the television film believe Combs can generate huge ratings for ABC television. ABC television will hype this movie to the maximum I just believe a talented and much younger black actor should of chosen for the male lead.

The lead in “A Raisin In The Sun” Walter Lee Younger is a young black man and Sean Combs is thirty eight years old. Since Combs in thirty eight one argument is he can bring “maturity” to the role. However, I believe the feeling of naivety and optimism is diminished for the character Walter Lee Younger due to Combs advanced age.

A younger black male actor possibly someone between the ages of twenty five to perhaps thirty two should of been chosen for the role. Combs is simply not talented enough and too old for the part. Combs is also a rap artist he’s a wannabe actor he is not a serious dramatic actor. I have so much sympathy for the talented black actors that want to become stars in Hollywood but are not given the opportunity.

Why does Hollywood continue to insult the audience and cast these talentless flakes such as Sean Combs in such prestigious roles? The barriers for black actors in Hollywood are incredible there are limited opportunities to advance up the Hollywood star system. Twenty five years ago perhaps an unknown black male actor would of been chosen for the lead role. Hollywood is profit driven and the ideology is since Sean Combs already is successful in various demographics his fans will fans will flock to watch the movie. However, does talent not matter anymore?

Why do young blacks in Hollywood have to always be singers or dancers in order to breakthrough and get the big movie roles? Beyonce just won the lead role in a biopic about the legendary singer Etta James. I cringe because Beyonce is not an actress she needs acting lessons. Beyonce cannot act she requires an acting coach and numerous hours to learning the craft of acting.

Young talented unknown black actors are being disrespected and ignored. A young black male actor with talent would of been electrifying in the role of Walter Lee Younger. A young black actor could of brought pathos, complexity, sensitivity, and range to this very important role. Unfortunately, Hollywood is now all about profit margins, ratings, and the craft of acting is now secondary. The only glimmer of hope is that young people will learn more about Lorraine Hansberry and gain an appreciation for her incredible talent.

I was watching Spike Lee’s movie “She Hate Me” the other day and one scene I really found interesting was the sex scene between Kerry Washington and Dania Ramirez. I was intrigued, as a gay man I rarely ever see women of colour in mainstream films have an erotic lesbian scene together. Even in gay culture lesbians are invisible and black lesbians are displaced due to race, gender, and sexuality.

Spike Lee’s film “She Hate Me” didn’t really explore the relationship between Washington and Ramirez’s characters though. My perspective is both women were used as a plot device for Anthony Mackie’s lead character. I won’t spoil the ending of the movie but it was completely unrealistic. I think a mainstream movie should be made that explores a romantic relationship between two black women. I wonder if this will ever happen?

Sure, I’ve seen straight porn movies that have lesbian scenes but those films are just not realistic or authentic. I already know how lesbians have sex but I think in “She Hate Me” was the first time I saw a romantic and erotic sex scene between women of colour. I found it interesting. Does this make me sexist? I wonder?

I have looked at lesbian erotic magazines before though out of curiosity. However, I think this was the first time I had ever seen an intense sex scene between two women of colour. The lesbian sex scene is rare because it is a lesbian sex scene between two women of colour.

I also was on You Tube the other day and it showed two gorgeous black women making out. I have read comments on various websites that some lesbians were offended by Spike Lee’s movie in the depictions of lesbians being sexually attracted to men. I understand the concerns. However, Kerry Washington’s character in “She Hate Me” clearly was bisexual and not a lesbian and she is sexually attracted to men.

We rarely get to see black lesbians in mainstream films. The last major movie with a black lesbian was Queen Latifah’s character Cleo in the hit indie film “Set It Off”. “Set It Off” I believe jump started Queen’s career. Although rumours still exist about Queen Latifah’s true sexual orientation I thought her performance as the butch aggressive lesbian Cleo was excellent. I think it was brave on Queen Latifah’s part to take on this role.

I would like to see more movies and television shows with black lesbian characters where black lesbians are the lead. I know that Tasha a black lesbian woman is a secondary character on the Showtime Lesbian television show the L Word. However, why did it take the producers until the fourth season to include a black lesbian? We already had a black gay series Noah’s Arc on television.

I think it is time for black lesbians to shine on the silver screen or on television with their own series. According to media reports Meagan Good is going to star in a film “Sundays In Fort Greene” this year and her character is a lesbian. I am so pleased that Meagan is willing to take on this role.I think it really shows the Meagan is willing to stretch her acting skills and diversity her roles.

You Tube isn’t porn or anything but I thought the kissing scene between the two women was sensual. I have to admit I don’t know much about lesbian sex. I do remember seeing two female friends have sex in front of me during high school though at a Halloween party. I have noticed in the lesbian community some lesbians are really upset if men say we find lesbian sex erotic or interesting. So my question is it exploiting lesbian sexuality for men to be curious about lesbians in pop culture?