Black Men on Down Low Sends Wrong Message

Black Men on Down Low Sends Wrong Message

Courtesy of GBN

The phrase popularized by R. Kelly's song Down Low (Nobody Has to Know) has found new meaning in today's society. In an attempt to stay edgy, newspapers and magazines are revealing stories on what they consider to be new to the black community: "Brothers on the Down Low or DL". According to these publications black men who are on the down low sleep with both men and women, but do not admit they are homosexuals. Their sexual relationships with other men are never discussed or openly acknowledged, hence the term "down low."

This comes as a shock to many heterosexual women who up to now only worried about their mates cheating with other women. However, as the focus and attention given to men on the down low increases, more and more women will review their relationships for signs of homosexuality. Men will be monitored for the following potential signs of homosexual activity:

Too much time with male friends
Sleepovers at house of male friends
Over affectionate greetings; and
Traveling, shopping, and dining in large male groups

In essence, the focus of articles like Black Men on the Down Low does more harm than good. Instead of promoting awareness and tolerance for gays in black communities, these articles seek to spread fear and suspicion toward people with different sexual habits. If you read one of these articles you will be led to believe that black men who have sex with both men and women is a new phenomenon, or most black men are gay, or gay black men have HIV/AIDS, or black bi-sexual men are spreading HIV/AIDS. The link between men on the down low and the HIV/AIDS virus creates a state of fear, betrayal, and chaos in the consciousness of black women. These women are on "red alert" to avoid relationships with men on the down low- as if it is possible to tell if a man is bi-sexual or not.

Same Old Song

Hidden in the stories of black men on the down low is the myth that it is these types of men who are spreading the HIV/AIDS to black women. Yet, this is a new spin on an old belief that "all gays have AIDS." In the early 1980's people believed that because gay men were affected most by the HIV/AIDS virus, it must be directly related to their "ungodly sexual behavior." This of course was not true, yet today we allow media to repackage these stories and sell them to a new and ignorant generation.

Even the "macho" black male image has now been characterized as the "homo thug." This causes many black men to be concerned with the way they are currently being portrayed. In response to these new stereotypes some black males may become more isolated and aggressive. These males may take manhood to a new level to ensure no one perceives them as being "soft." Eventually all this tough-acting could lead males down the wrong path and many of the overly macho brothers could find themselves in jail. And when or if they get out of jail they will be stigmatized as potential homosexuals just as they are today.

Yet, not all black men who go to prison are homosexuals. In fact, as much as the black community talks about the dangers of prison and its happenings, there should be more effort to make the public aware of the many rapes that occur in prisons and how such acts devastate many young and unstable minds. We should help society realize that the act of sexual abuse does not necessarily equate ones sexuality. We should also galvanize ourselves to fight against rape in prisons for both sexes. Yet, much of this discussion is left out of the current dialogue concerning Down Low Brothers.

Media Falls Short

In the attempt to create a dialogue about homosexuality in the black community media has once again failed to humanize this segment of the population. Although the shock method attracts huge ratings and book sales it shows a lack of concern for the dignity of people. In addition, media in the above form treats its consumers like idiots. Don't we already know that black bi-sexual men exist? Since when did we decide to care about their bedside conversations in which they discuss how sleeping with men and women doesn't make them homosexual? In fact, isn't that why we use the term bi-sexual? Since when did we decide to be "homo-detectives" who interrogate and require that adults register as homosexuals? And since when did infidelity apply only to the heterosexual lifestyle?

Blaming black men on the down low for the increasing rates in HIV/AIDS in black women is wrong. In fact, there are books that give women tips on how to spot men on the down low. Promoting ideas such as these are nonsensical and encourage foolish behavior. In exchange for high profits, these advisers encourage women to become detectives who monitor and accuse their men of being homosexual. This results in a personal attack on black manhood. If we are so interested in the causes of the spread of the disease then why not research its origin? Let's dig up this fascinating part and try to understand how this disease has rapidly spread and concentrated itself primarily in black communities across continents.

We ought to be tired of this type of media manipulation and sale of paranoia. Media must understand that black communities are not in denial of homosexual activity. Black communities just like other communities understand fully the changes that are occurring in today's society. Our communities do not need to be frightened or shocked into the acceptance of homosexuals. However, society as a whole does need to be educated on tolerating differences in race, gender, culture, as well as sexual orientation. When these stories arise we must constantly ask, whom do they benefit, to what degree, and are we blaming the victims? It is the job of media to educate not to divide, isolate, and demonize. We must work to assure our media organizations are focused on a message that benefits us all.