Exclusive: Under Attack — Black and Queer in America
In the wake of the attack on Jussie Smollett on January 29, I struggled to figure out an appropriate response. I could just write a personal essay, as I've often done when a news story touches me in a particular way—and I did, but I knew that mine was only one perspective. The question remained: how do we confront this hate, and how do we heal from it?
Luckily, there was no shortage of black, queer folks willing to share their perspectives and their experiences: Emil Wilbekin, founder of Native Son; Raquel Willis, executive editor of Out magazine; Guy Anthony, founder/CEO, Black, Gifted & Whole; Mila Jam, pop recording artivist; and DaShawn Usher, founder/executive director, MOBI.
I am eternally grateful for their participation, for their clear-eyed assessments, and for generally giving life during a dark time for the black and queer communities. Check out their discussion below: