Week 6

African American Women's Spiritual Beliefs
Going back to slavery, when slaves were brought here everything had been stripped from them even their identity. The only thing they had left to call their own was the spirituality and religious beliefs which became the stepping stone to try to raise above what the oppressor had began to tear apart. As you see in many church congregations the majority are women who attend and worship trying to find that control of their lives that was taken from them from slavery until the present.
The choice to be gay
This article was very interesting it depicts what the conservative christian thinks and feels about society and its people that do no conform to their thinking and way of life. I feel the author response was to the point and gave her something to think about. The mother at one point gave her son credit for being a good educated young man, but when it came to something that was out of her control she downed him to being naive and abnormal. Most will misused the bible to down grade others to justify their way of life and way of how someone is supposed to live life according the "christian". To acknowledge and accept that her son is gay, for her would mean she failed as a mother and rather to accept she had not failed as a mother and or to accept the fact her son was born this way, she chooses to find fault in others to justify her embarrassment and disagreement of her son's life style. The author gave her something to think about, cherish the gift from god and use other commandments of the bible to see that she is not perfect and that god accepts all his children as they are.
Found: 85,000 Black Gay Households
African American gays have so much against them, besides being gay, their African American, stereotyped as not being worthy and stereotyped as being worthless. Though many steps are being made to bring the gay community on the same level as heterosexuals but some of those steps are not helping many African American gay couples, because they are not at the economy level of many others and so any changes will effect them almost double it would the white gay community.Separating the African American community is the same movement in separating the African American family the breaking of the family union at any means. 
Understanding the Marginalization of Gay and Gender Non-Conforming Black Male Students
In this article to me is saying okay we will deal with one thing or other but not both. Simply not understanding when you oppressed one group you oppressed other forms of groups as well. Having social support groups with majority white students and once again leaving out the already oppressed group of African American gay community. Many not willing to stand up for the students and it may be that they are not in agreement with the gay community, so allowing the abuse and bullying to continue in schools and turning around as though the gay students ask for what they are receiving the physical and mental abuse from others students and some of the staff members at the school direct and or indirectly condoning the abuse. Also the oppressed oppressing others, living up to the stereotypes that was placed upon the African American community simply saying that being smart is being white and playing dumb is being Black. If changes are expected to come the community withing the Black community will have to combat its own racism against each other and tear down those actions and comments that have been handed down to the community since the era of slavery. Looking at the positive side having groups that consist of all races when it comes to educating people on the gay community in and outside of the school system, will down the line prevent dropout rates and bullying within and outside of the school system. Acknowledging people of color for their accomplishments gay and straight will give both sides of the community something to be proud of educating on Gay Black History will benefit many. 
Nai'm Akbar
Never thought to look at mental illness in the Black community as important as I do now. African American males having to combat all other struggles that have been placed upon them by the oppressors and if mental illness sets in, having to combat that as well. Knowing that it is difficult for some men to seek help and even more difficult for African American men to seek help for all the oppressed feelings about himself and life in general would in a sense cause depression. Trying to understand the minds of African American men will help them to heal those scars since the days of captivity.
John Head
Hoping that important information such as this will get out and help those who need the help, the courage to seek the help. African American men feeling that "no bodyness" which eventually leads to depression is heartbreaking. Knowing that many out there feel like no body's and have accepted those negative stereotypes has a way of life. Need more support within and outside the communities because this is not just a African American problem it is a humanity problem.
Girl like me
I know this all too well, as I grew up in the 60's I do not ever recall having a African American doll, never knew they existed until my late teenage years. That is when I discovered that my dark skin made me different from all my other peers and even my sister who is of light skin and hazel colored eyes. Society has placed those thoughts in our minds as to who is smart, who is worthless and who is worthy and beautiful. The thoughts that must have been going through those children's minds while having to choose what doll they wanted to keep. I wondered though who was conducting the research and who was asking the questions. If we as young kids are so impressionable that when asked by a white researcher that question, I wonder if the kids felt that had to choose the white doll, because it would have been the acceptable thing to do. Sometimes as adults we say what other people want to hear even if we know its not morally right. We need to show our young girls of color that love is within the eyes of the beholder and that love comes from within and will shine outward and that when we accept who we are others will follow suit.