Yes, after 3 months of research, self-reflection, and finding enough power within myself to shape my ideologies on African-American male bisexuality and the down low phenomenon, I produced a 22 page thesis paper surrounding African-American female voices in the media on these imperative issues. From my own experiences, I have to admit that this semester has been a growing period for me. Between falling in love with a bi-guy, self-maneuvering within that personally awkward situation, and finally experiencing a real life example of the Gender & Sexuality discourse I have studied in undergrad, I realized that none of us will ever understand the complexities of sexuality. The more labels we put on it, the more social categories we confine ourselves to, and the more that each of us claims to have the answer only digs us deeper into a hole of social ignorance. I hope my thesis contributes to a larger conversation surrounding bisexuality, homosexuality, and heterosexism within the African-American community. Truly, I’m not claiming to have all the answers, but I definitely feel I have some new talking points to add.
Moreover, throughout this writing process and my own quest for understanding in my life, I realized that yes, it is possible to be biphobic and not necessarily homophobic in regulating what I desire in a “heterosexual” relationship with a man. I also recognized how contradicting that stance can be. Although my thesis has been submitted to my amazing professor and NYU’s Social & Cultural Analysis Department, I plan to edit it before releasing it for publication. When I do, all of you will be the first to read.
Thank you to everyone for all of your support and love during 2009. Looking forward to a beautiful 2010 with all of you wonderful, insightful individuals.
Until my return from Egypt
Arielle