The Fight for and the Right to Independence

We have just concluded another 4th of July celebrating the independence of our great country. It seems quite ironic that for many in this country this fight for independence and freedom, for which many have fought and died carries conditions. I'm reminded almost daily that for many Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender U.S. Americans, independence is still not possible...but we must not give up the fight for equality for everyone of our citizens.

I am honored and happy to share with you this amazing piece composed by friend and colleague, Dr. Warren Blumenfeld. I hope you will let him know how much you appreciate the great work he continues to do in the fight for equality and freedom. "None of us are free, until all of us are free."


Why Do You Call Me “Faggot”?
An Editorial in Verse by Warren J. Blumenfeld

As you drive down the boulevard
Why do you call me “faggot”?

Alone or with your fellows
You shriek menacing refrains
Bellowing in mocking intonations

You blast your horn
Or slow your pace
Or circle back to reprise your taunts

What fuels this need inside?
Who gives permission and cover?

Where does this entitlement stem?
Who offers tacit approval?

When I express gender traditionally
Why do you call me “faggot”?

When I gender non-conform
Why do you call me “faggot”?

When I walk alone or in company
Why do you call me “faggot”?

For I am a person, like you, making my way in the world

I am a professor at your university
I am a neighbor in your town
I shop where you shop
And I breathe the air you breathe

Sunlight shines on me as on you
Rain and snow wash over me as over you

Like the Eastern Goldfinch, the Cardinal, and the Dove
Heartland winds tug and lift me
Do they lift you too?

And I am comfortable in my skin
Are you comfortable in yours?

So why do you call me “faggot”?

Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Iowa State University. He is co-editor of Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States, Editor of Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price, and co-editor of Readings for Diversity and Social Justice.

Permission granted to forward, post, or publish this essay. wblumen@iastate.edu

Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld
Associate Professor
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
Office 515-294-5931
Home 515-232-8230
Email: wblumen@iastate.edu
Blog: http://www.warrenblumenfeld.com

Advocacy Days, 2011

One of the great things I get to do, in addition to being a part of the faculty and staff at the University of Central, is to be a student.  As a graduate student at the age of 60, sitting next to my cohort of students, many who are much, much younger, I am constantly reminded of the amazing people who continue to work tirelessly to change our world.

In the School of Social Work, we are required to participate in "Advocacy Days" in Tallahassee to better understand how to effect public policy.  It is what I love...here is a "capture of brilliance" that is my friends and colleagues in UCF's School of Social Work at Advocacy Days, 2011!!

Where Did the Human Go?

The journey to "wholeness" is often fraught with condemnation, judgment, and alienation. Xavier Persad, my dear friend, student of life, and justice seeking colleague begs a critical question in his new writings, "Where Did the Human Go?" Take a few minutes to read his powerful and painful words that continue to express the experience of many in our community who seek a place of belonging and being. Thanks, Xavier, for letting us into your life.

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0BxO45zp2hcvzOWYxMzllMGItN2I3MS00NTk1LTkzNjMtZjk2ZjRmOWZjNWZh&hl=en

Follow Xavier: http://www.facebook.com/xpersad

Iffy Unleashed - An Interview with Information Fluency

I had the opportunity to do an interview with my good friends through the Information Fluency Initiative around diversity work on our campus. Thanks, Neil for the opportunity to say what's so for me and to challenge my institution. It was a great experience.

http://if.ucf.edu/audio/

A Manifesto-It's Time to Move On

"I have made a decision. I will no longer debate the issue of homosexuality in the church with anyone!" These are the words of Bishop John Shelby Spong and reflect the sentiment of many who have engaged those in our faith community around the issue of God's children who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or any variation beyond heterosexual. His words and the manifesto it represents resonates deep in my Christian spirit. I'm tired too! Read his words posted through our good friends at "Walking with Integrity." Let's discuss

http://walkingwithintegrity.blogspot.com/2009/10/manifesto-from-our-friend-bishop-john.html?spref=fb

Inclusive Policies Make Sense, Part I

Inclusive policies for any institution or organization makes both business sense and supports a sense of fairness and value. President Judy Genshaft of the University of South Florida recently announced during her "state of the university" speech, that USF plans to start offering full domestic partner benefits to its heterosexual, gay and lesbian employees at the university. She noted in her speech, "We believe it's the right thing to do, and we'll work to make it happen this year." The University of South Florida now joins the University of Florida in ensuring fairness to all of their employees as inclusion becomes something to see and experience rather than a concept that is often viewed in the abstract of a stated goal.

My hope is that the University of Central Florida with a goal of becoming more inclusive and diverse begins these steps to inclusion by examining the policies that remain both archaic and contrary to sound business acumen as well as out of step to a city-state concept inconsistent with are business and community partners.

The attached editorial reminds us once more, how critical the efforts of creating an institution that is just, right and fair become in student success, which includes the attraction and retention of the critical faculty and staff talent worthy of being the third largest educational institution in this country.

http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/good-social-policy-good-business/1035521

"War For Your Soul," a film that demands a dialogue

"War For Your Soul," is an independent 15 minute film created by Reginald Bullock. Mr. Bullock has been a high school and college educator for the last twenty years. His intent in the creation of this film was, "To empower mankind with spiritual and social change." Mr. Bullock's primary interest remains in helping out our youth.

This was sent to me by my daughter, Lori. She is the mother of two children of color and I am their Grandfather. I believe this film, albeit, painful because of its truth and its impact to our young people of color, needs to be seen by all of our people. Personal and institutional racism is not a people of color issue, but it is an issue that hurts us all. This film speaks to the residual impact to a country still stuck in a belief that this history is just that, history. Some would say we have to just forget about it, move on. But the film reminds us of the lives and dreams lost because conversations requiring us to face each other, across racial lines can't be held. They must. Space must be created to hear the stories, understand the cost to us as a community and as a nation and then action must be taken to address the reality that each of us own responsibility in the creation of a more inclusive community filled with hope and success. Our children and our children's children demand that we do so.

http://www.vimeo.com/3686946