In some much needed and somewhat lighter news, music icon Sir Elton John recently expressed gratitude to rap mogul Jay Z after his comments in favor of marriage equality. In what seems to be an emphatically warm response, Sir Elton explained “Jay-Z, who`s probably the most respected African-American artist, came out and said not only is it wrong to not have gay marriage, but any discrimination in life is wrong. It was an incredibly moving statement. I phoned him up in England and said, `You have no idea what you`ve just said, how powerful this is`,”
I cannot express enough how someone as influential as Jay-Z showing support as there is need for LGTBQ youth to see someone that inspires them also accepts them. I believe statements like this will also encourage other artists from all ethnic backgrounds to become more vocal in support for marriage equality. Numbers are important and this is a great step forward. With that, I believe more awareness, that just like any other race, ethnic minorities vary in their opinions just like everyone else.
Elton elaborated saying “The African-American society were a little apprehensive about this all along, and when you get someone who is a role model like Jay-Z to come out and say this, I take my hat off to him and I respect him so much for doing that. When I next see him I`m going to give him the biggest hug,” While i agree it is fantastic to hear moore ethnic minorities speaking out in support of marriage equality, i do find that this a bit problematic. African Americans have been vocal and shown support and for some this isn’t a new view. Icons like Oprah has been pro=gay for many years.
I definitely don’t have issue with Sir Elton’s sentiment rather this common belief that African Americans along with other minorities are only vocal in their supoport of same sex marriage by President Obama”s historical evolution on the subject. So look forward of more on this subject from me in the very near future and feel free to ask questions on this subject you’d like answers to.