SGL Café ...

"I'm a FAGGOT ...." ... that was the subject line of the email below from this sweet young college student of slight stature. Let's call him Zamir for now. He granted me permission to post it here.

After reading this ... can you comment on what's at the root of these sudden attacks of homophobia that our young men are prone to?

What can be done about it? And what advice would you give Zamir?

~~

Taylor ...

Tonight I decided to journey to the mall with a friend. We opted to take the train home, and then to transfer to a bus that drops directly off at our stop. Upon waiting for the bus, we decided to grab something quickly from McDonald's. I'm standing in line, directly at the counter, and without even having seen my face, I can hear this wannabe thug mumbling to his friend, sayin shit like,

"I hate faggots. Damn I can't stand that shit. He betta not even look this way..." I hear his friend mumble, "Yo, that's rude." He responds, "I don't give a fuck. I hate that shit." Just to verify that I'm not losing my mind, I do a quick turn with my head. I hear him say to his friend, "That's right. Muthafucker betta turn around. Damn that sissy shit." I whispered the ongoing situation to my friend because he was oblivious to the whole thing. I elbow him slightly, "Damn, I wish someone had taught my ass how to fight, or I wish something was in sight and I was slightly more ghetto because I'd turn around and whoop some tacky thug ass." He's lost, and I tell him to listen closely to the mumbles behind us. A few minutes later, we're standing toward the exit on the lookout for the bus. They're on their way out, and the dude who's been doing all the talking, his friend just partially giggling, says, "Look at him, even got his dress boots on...look at those heels, nigga." He turns back, looks at us, and says "faggot ass muthafucka," and then he runs out of the store with his friend laughing along with him. Thankfully, it wasn't loud and the restaurant only had the employees in there. I guess that's the cost me wearing a track jacket that's completely zipped, collar naturally popped, black dress shirt underneath, Diesel bootcut khakis, and contemporary black pointed toe dress shoes that look like boots. Maybe I should wear trade gear??? Hmm...guess it's just the cost of me being thin and well dressed. [Zamir] ~~

I have my feelings on the subject, but I wanna know what you think this time.