July 18, 2004
being minority
I attended a recent forum on lesbian and gay rights advocacy. It was illuminating on certain aspects, such as on the need to broaden advocacies in the media, in the government. Still, just like in some women's forum, I felt "alienated" on the discussion. It just that I was hearing too many sub-texts that it seemed half of the participants were already on a different plane while the rest, including myself, were still wallowing in the basics. Beyond the issue of facilitating a forum, i think it is about attitude.These groups need to make up their mind. They cannot expect to be understood and recognized if they remain esoteric. Of course they don't have to stop talking to themselves, BUT they also have to reach out to others.
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The "minority" need to point out their being different to break the assumption of sameness and their right not to be treated diffently. Some say this is the burden of being a "minority", of being different than the herd.
I say that is the wisdom of being not part of the majority.
eyed at 4:19 PM
