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July 31, 2020 - LGBTQ+ YA Column by Barbara Antlitz

Poetry from Kha’Lil

Kha’Lil is a bundle of energy wrapped up into one of the funniest, quirkiest, kindest human beings I have ever met. A day never went by in my class that he wasn’t making me laugh except the occasional day when we were butting heads because we both are fervid people. He is a passionate, vibrant young man who has educated me more than he will ever know and made me a better person. I am very blessed that I was able to be his teacher.

—Kelli Gehrke, GSA (Genders & Sexualities Alliance) advisor, Sussex Technical High School digital publishing and design teacher

BY KHA’LIL WHALEY (they/them, he/him)

To be an ally to all black people, you must first understand that you are implicitly biased. We all are. And it’s our job to under-stand how to check our bias, learn, grow, and teach others.

As a black person, I have seen time and time again how film and television has characterized my community as one single caricature based on stereotypes. I had to learn that my peers were not what I saw on screen. I’m more than black you see on screen. This poem is my younger self learning the absur-dity of the screen.

On the Screen

On the screen,

I see a black man that looks much like my Father.

That black man sips alcohol and screams profanities at his 

    children.

In my kitchen,

I see my black man, finishing up dinner just in time for my mom 

    to get back from work.

That black man burns his finger on a hot pan and whispers 

    profanities to himself.

On the screen,

I see a black man on the street corner rapping “It Takes Two” by 

   Rob Base, my Father’s favorite song.

That black man is unkempt, and his mustache isn’t tamed.

In my living room,

I see my black man, vacuuming the living room floor to the song 

    “It Takes Two.”

That black man is unkempt, and his mustache isn’t tamed 

     because he knows I think it’s pretty cool.

My black man is your black man.

And if you don’t have a black man

You only have the black man on screen.

You can not know a black person, if you are color blind. Our 

    colors are beautiful.

Colors, plural. ▼

Barbara Antlitz, CAMP Rehoboth Youth Coordinator, is working with GSAs in middle and high schools in Sussex and Kent Countries, and with other groups supporting LGBTQ+ youth. Barbara can be reached bantlitz@camprehoboth

‹ July 31, 2020 - The Real Dirt by Eric Wahl up July 31, 2020 - Visiting View Guest Column by Clarence J. Fluker ›

Past Issues

Issues Index

  • December 11, 2020 - Issue Index
  • November 13, 2020 - Issue Index
  • October 16, 2020 - Issue Index
  • September 25th, 2020 - Issue Index
  • August 28, 2020 - Issue Index
  • August 14, 2020 - Issue Index
  • July 31, 2020 - Issue Index
    • July 31, 2020 - Cover to Cover with ISSUU
    • July 31, 2020 - The Way I See It by David Mariner
    • July 31, 2020 - In Brief
    • July 31, 2020 - CAMP Matters by Murray Archibald
    • July 31, 2020 - CAMP Out by Fay Jacobs
    • July 31, 2020 - Sundance 2020
    • July 31, 2020 - CAMP Stories by Rich Barnett
    • July 31, 2020 - Dining Out by Fay Jacobs
    • July 31, 2020 - The Real Dirt by Eric Wahl
    • July 31, 2020 - LGBTQ+ YA Column by Barbara Antlitz
    • July 31, 2020 - Visiting View Guest Column by Clarence J. Fluker
    • July 31, 2020 - Intentionally Inclusive by Wesley Combs
    • July 31, 2020 - CAMP Rehoboth History Project by James T. Sears, PhD
    • July 31 2020 - It’s My Life by Michael Thomas Ford
    • July 31, 2020 - Health + Wellness by Marj Shannon
    • July 31, 2020 - Classes + Events, All Via Zoom
    • July 31, 2020 - Out & Proud by Stefani Deoul
    • July 31, 2020 - CAMP Shots
    • July 31, 2020 - Straight Talk by David Garrett
    • July 31, 2020 - Spotlight on the Arts
    • July 31, 2020 - Arts + Entertainment
    • July 31, 2020 - Booked Solid by Terri Schlichenmeyer
    • July 31, 2020 - Historical Headliners by Ann Aptaker
  • July 17, 2020 Issue Index
  • June 19, 2020 Issue Index
  • May 22, 2020 - Issue Index
  • April 17, 2020 - Issue Index
  • March 6, 2020 - Issue Index
  • February 7, 2020 - Issue Index

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