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Phyllis Allen

by Nicholas Barnard on July 26th, 2005

Re: Leaving Identity Issues to Other Folks

What does a 24 year old white gay man have with in common with a 50 year old black woman?

Every time I listen to this essay I’m brought to tears. Not bawling morning tears, but tears of camaraderie and recognition.

Phyllis moves through the history of African-American (or Black, or Negro, or brown) identity politics. Then comes to the conclusion “I believe that I’m free to be whoever I choose to be.”

I’m at a loss for why this is dramatic for me, but I’ve come to despise the identity politics of being gay, but at the same time I practice them.

I want to be 15 years down the road (or in Canada now) where no one thinks too much about my identity beyond “Nick” (or “Mr. Barnard” or “Dad”).

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