White vs. Black: the Acceptance of Homosexuality

June 23, 2009

Final Paper

White vs. Black: The acceptance of Homosexuality

FAG! HOMO! SWEET CAKES! The flare of hate crimes with such motivation has increased drastically since the 1970’s. The term homophobia has sadly taken many lives since then and is continuously capturing its prey. It has often been stated, however, that African Americans are less excepting than our white counterparts. Whether this is true or the not, the question is, how do these stereotypes play out on predominantly white and predominantly black campuses today? It seems today that African Americans are more homophobic then our white counterparts. This is apparent on many college campuses today. Traditionally white colleges seem to be more open to the GBLTQ (Gay Bisexual Lesbian Transsexual Queer) community than African American Universities. Of course, among both races there is a great increase in the acceptance of homosexuals but it seems African Americans still shun homosexuals more than white Americans. African Americans are less excepting of homosexuality then white Americans because of their strong ties to religion, need for gender roles, and fear.

African Americans are strongly tied to the Christian religion. In Christianity, it is known that homosexuality is looked at as a sin. It is wrong to love someone of your own gender. This fact carries on people’s hearts when they are in college. Many African Americans are so into the church that they overlook the actual person that is homosexual. They over look personality and all they see is a label. On white campuses church and religion are important but white Americans see homosexuals for who they are. There are few who overlook the person but many white Americans are more open to homosexuals. Also white Americans do not see a need for gender roles in society as African Americans do.

African Americans have a strict necessity for gender roles more so than white Americans. African Americans are so tied to having a man and...