MAPACA

Mid-Atlantic Popular &
American Culture Association

Many years after slavery and segregation, African-Americans still suffers through the pain and destruction of discrimination. Through slavery and segregation, it is troubling to know African Americans discriminate within themselves. Within the African American community, homosexual men are the targets of this bias. I focus within the African-American community to a group of men and women that identify themselves as homosexuals or part of the LGBTQA community. It is this group of people that are causing commotion and raising awareness about the treatment bestowed upon them by other African-Americans.

My research utilizes the fictional and autobiographical works of a modern and renowned author, E. Lynn Harris from a queer theorist perspective. These texts include Harris’ first novel, Invisible Life, and his memoir, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted. I discuss how the African-American community has begun to separate themselves from these men because of their sexual orientation. Harris’ work highlights how the African-American homosexual male is emasculated of his maleness because he chooses to love another man. Also, I will show the hypocrisy of the African-American Christian church’s views, treatment, and acceptance of homosexuality. Lastly, quite similar to the plight of African-Americans during slavery and segregation, I will show how the African-American homosexual loses his visibility in the world and is overlooked.

There has been little to no conversation about these discriminatory practices. African Americans are not silent about their disapproval of discrimination and segregation of any kind. Yet, exposure of their own discriminatory practices would bring great shame to this community. My research will definitely spark conversation needed to eradicate such contradictory behavior.