via HuffPost Gay Voices, by Aaron Anson
I was appalled when I read excerpts from Vibe's interview with rapper T.I.: he said that the gay community is too sensitive to jokes made at their expense. T.I. starts with a disclaimer, saying that he's OK with any sexual "preference," but goes on to say, "If you're against [being gay], you should also have the right to be against it in peace."
Most obnoxious was when T.I. condoned Tracy Morgan's venomous diatribe against gays, which took place earlier this year.
His idea is that anti-gay sentiments are acceptable, and that it's ridiculous for the gay community to backlash against this expression of free speech.
It's true that the First Amendment protects all kinds of free speech, including anti-gay speech. But the fact that anti-gay speech is legal does not make it any more acceptable.
Free speech can allow free ignorance, unfortunately, and the two often go hand-in-hand.
It's clear from his language that T.I. simply does not relate to gays.
If we conclude that gays are overly sensitive to these jokes, then clearly the African-American community is overly sensitive about racism.
Imagine the backlash if a public figure made a joke about killing a person because they were black.
Would this have any comic value at all, or would it simply be tasteless?
How would this be any different from Tracy Morgan's remarks that he would stab his son if he were gay?
Read the rest
I was appalled when I read excerpts from Vibe's interview with rapper T.I.: he said that the gay community is too sensitive to jokes made at their expense. T.I. starts with a disclaimer, saying that he's OK with any sexual "preference," but goes on to say, "If you're against [being gay], you should also have the right to be against it in peace." Most obnoxious was when T.I. condoned Tracy Morgan's venomous diatribe against gays, which took place earlier this year.
His idea is that anti-gay sentiments are acceptable, and that it's ridiculous for the gay community to backlash against this expression of free speech.
It's true that the First Amendment protects all kinds of free speech, including anti-gay speech. But the fact that anti-gay speech is legal does not make it any more acceptable.
Free speech can allow free ignorance, unfortunately, and the two often go hand-in-hand.
It's clear from his language that T.I. simply does not relate to gays.
If we conclude that gays are overly sensitive to these jokes, then clearly the African-American community is overly sensitive about racism.
Imagine the backlash if a public figure made a joke about killing a person because they were black.
Would this have any comic value at all, or would it simply be tasteless?
How would this be any different from Tracy Morgan's remarks that he would stab his son if he were gay?
Read the rest
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