Mother Land and the Gays

The African American community has always been one of controversy. Dating back to their origin, they always seemed to have had this unique quality to them, something separating them from the rest of the other races. As a result of this I personally feel as though, that is the reason most of them are the way they are. Among the many things African Americans are, they are very close to their religion and practice this ability to hold on to norms and culture. Now this is not to say that they are all this way, but judging from my perspective of being and African American female these are the conclusions I have made. This need to hold on to normality even spreads back to their roots in Africa. Also having experienced the African, lifestyle I can attest to the aggressive yearn to abide by custom and anything out of the ordinary is frowned up.In places like Africa it is even much more severe, because they make laws that appeal to harsh penalties for derailing from custom.
In a place like America African American have a need to stay close to their norms, and this is very clear when it comes to homosexuality. They are not excited to hear that their strong, black, and eligible men are becoming feminine or playing the role of a girl or are sexually attracted to another man. When I was in high school I had a friend who was gay and every one knew he was gay. I am sure his parents knew but he told me he never told them or talked about it. This was as a result of the fear of what they would think and or do. He would joke " if I ever told my mama I was gay, she beat the shit out of me!" Although this is a free country his culture still hindered him from being open and honest with his family. He would tell me secretes about other African American guys on the football team that he engaged in sexual acts with. But he had to keep it a secrete because they did not want it coming out. This fear of coming out, is also very similar in Nigeria,Africa. Guys are forced to express their sexuality under wraps and behind closed hotel room doors. There are men who are even married, and end up sleeping men and holding emotionally charged relationships with other men in the midst of their marriage. This is not because they want to be hurtful, but because they can not come out and say it and live as a homosexual.
I know your thinking, but that is the same problem for every gay guy, and your right. The only difference is, the culture that is at the foundation of coming out. Although African Americans have assimilated into the American culture of freedom to a certain degree, that root in Africa of custom still flows through their veins undiluted and fresh.  It is so left field for a Black man, an African man, or an African American man to come out and say he is gay. As a result of how deeply the African American culture holds on to their custom. A man is supposed to be a mans man no questions asked. He is supposed to be large and in charge, he supposed to love women to pieces and have many wives and girlfriends. Not to be attracted to other men, if a Black man is gay he is automatically thought of a less than man or inferior. As a result of that, they all stay closeted. And there will continue to be men hiding themselves and their sexuality because of their cultural expectations.