NUBIAN KNIGHTS NETWORK: Saturday, February 27, 2010

QUOTATIONS OF "BLACK"

"Whenever I use BLACK it relates to some history of Africans in that particular place. It’s the idea of the color BLACK as a metaphor, or as a representation of African-Americans. It’s the notion of BLACK- BLACKNESS - and all its other meanings in relation to the history of race..."

- Fred Wilson

"Most of my fortitude to continue doing the work comes from the moral outrage I feel about the injustices that Black people endure disproportionately daily."

- N. Abdul-Wakil

"In the end, what matters is not skin shade but pan-African consciousness. Loving your complexion, your nose, lips, hair length and texture, no matter what the politics or trends decide, and simply be. That's the problem with us (African folks). We're still learning how to love ourselves. So used to glorifying others and putting others first..."

- Dredlocks Tree

Saturday, February 27, 2010

TAKE SURVEY: Social Justice Sexuality Initiative
SAME GENDER LOVING FOLKS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE!

Hey Black SGL Family,

I wanted to plug this survey because from my perspective as a Black same gender loving (SGL) male brutha, I feel and have witnessed over the course of 12 years (WOW! It's been that long for me!!) now that the Black same gender loving community is largely INVISIBLE when it comes to our liberation and living a proud and healthy life that is NOT heterosexual one. Some of the reasons, in my mind, are due to apathy and having a non-political agenda among a myriad of other various reasons that we could dissect until nausea.

With that said, I took this survey and found it to be INCREDIBLY THOROUGH in its implementation, and specific questions asked to and geared to people of color (African descended folks, Latino folks, Asian/Pacific Islander folks, Native American folks, etc.) and what is important and relevant for us.

I think it's an opportunity to have a VOICE and share OUR (YOUR) personal feelings as well as feelings toward our communities which is how the survey is structured. The question/statement format is very simple and easy, so I encourage folks to fill it out.

Below is an explanation of the survey's purpose and who's administrating and collecting the data. YOUR NAME, MAILING ADDRESS, EMAIL ADDRESS and PHONE NUMBER is NEVER ASKED so your identity is TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS!

National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) members have been asked to participate in a survey that celebrates the experiences of LGBT people of color throughout the United States. The major goal is a better understanding of your experiences in four major areas: access to health and community-based services, civic engagement, family, and religious experiences.

This project aims to involve and impact the policy makers, organizers, academics and practitioners vital to lasting community change and empowerment, and ultimately to serve as a springboard for ideas and strategies that can improve the quality of life for LGBT people of color.