New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Jun 1, 2014
This chapter addresses tobacco use among sexual minorities. It examines research on the prevalenc... more This chapter addresses tobacco use among sexual minorities. It examines research on the prevalence of tobacco use in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and discusses why tobacco use within this group continues to significantly exceed that of the general population.
The purpose of the study was to determine the nature of the manifestation of masculinity among ol... more The purpose of the study was to determine the nature of the manifestation of masculinity among older Black men. This study reports the finding from a content analysis conducted on three popular magazine covers: American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), Ebony, and Men's Health. These magazines were selected because of their circulation and to make sure that
Spirituality is important in the lives of African Americans. Not surprising then, it is significa... more Spirituality is important in the lives of African Americans. Not surprising then, it is significant for Black gay men, as members of the African American community. In this paper we discuss five themes that emerged from an analysis of three autoethnographies.
In this paper the authors analyze three personal stories of race using Critical Race Theory (CRT)... more In this paper the authors analyze three personal stories of race using Critical Race Theory (CRT). The analysis reveals common themes which speak to the tragic impact of racism on the lives of African Americans. An analysis of the processes that replicate injustice and racism form the basis of critical race theory (CRT) (Delgado & Stefanic, 2001). One of the key tenets of CRT is that racism is ordinary and pervasive. The ordinariness of racism means that all those who hold power or privilege (Rocco & Gallagher, 2004) are racists and do not acknowledge their views or actions as racist but normal, typical and part of the status quo. The status quo is reinforced by the interest convergence of "white elites (materially) and working-class people (psychically)" (Delgado & Stefanic, 2001, p. 7) who work together by consensus to maintain the status quo. Interest convergence maintains that Whites are only willing to change the power differential when there is a clear benefit to the interests of Whites. The power held by the White elite results from control of material resources and capital. Although working class people do not share these resources, they derive psychic benefit from the existence of a subordinate racial group. CRT scholars argue that race not only matters, but it will always matter. Racism is a fundamental characteristic of American life. CRT starts with the premise that racism and race are endemic and permanent in our society. CRT looks at the social, political, and economic inequity among groups acknowledging that race intersects with other characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, and class (Yosso, 2005). As an example of the ordinariness of racism when a Black man with a white girlfriend was found dead from a gunshot wound to the groin and bled to death it was ruled a hunting accident (Witt, 2005). It is nonsensical to believe hunters would abandon an accident victim and not get immediate medical attention. In another case, a Black man dating a White woman was found hanging from a tree. Local officials ruled it a suicide, despite the persistent doubts of the family and civil rights officials (Witt, 2005). People of color know this pre civil rights and modern history, and live its impact in silence. Even those who would dare to speak up are told that these events are ancient history and are not relevant today. When in reality these events are relevant because they speak to the continuation of racism in modern times. CRT asserts that "members of this country's dominant racial group cannot easily grasp what it is like to be nonwhite" (p. 22). In CRT, storytelling and counter storytelling is powerful because it reveals the racist acts people of color face daily while challenging the beliefs universally held by the majority. The interpretation of the experience of racism is very different based on the degree of power and authority a person holds in this society. To change our future, these stories and lived experiences need to be told, listened to, and analyzed in a way that connects the stories to CRT. This means that once the story is told an examination of the key elements of the story should be based in the tenets, propositions, and legal arguments developed in the CRT literature. This analysis must also be based on an evident understanding and portrayal of CRT as a form of critical legal analysis. In this paper, Elizabeth, Willene, and Lorenzo share their personal stories related to race. Elizabeth's Story: A Reflection on a Racial Incident. Elizabeth shares a story that chronicles her childhood experience of having a cross burned in her yard after her family moved to the suburbs when she was nine years old. She described how her family sought to protect her by blocking her view of the burning cross and refusing to talk about the incident. She came to feel
We posit that when the experience of the imposter syndrome intersects with race and class, the re... more We posit that when the experience of the imposter syndrome intersects with race and class, the result can be a paralyzing existence. How does race impact performance in the adult learning environment? And, how does race perpetuate the "imposter syndrome" among students of color in the educational environment? Clance and Imes (1978) conducted a study with over 150 highly successful women with PhDs and students who were highly recognized for their academic success and found that women were more likely to project the cause of their success outward to an external cause such as luck and not to inherent ability. Zorn (2005) noted that "the culture of the university makes it difficult to talk about the imposter phenomenon, and those experiencing it often suffer in isolation" (p. 8). While the imposter syndrome is more common among women (Acker, 1997; Acker & Armenti, 2004; Acker & Fluevenger, 1996; Clance & Imes, 1978), it also manifests itself in professional men and students of color and in those below middle class.
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Jun 1, 2021
LGBTQ contributors to civil rights movements have had to remain silent and refrain from living op... more LGBTQ contributors to civil rights movements have had to remain silent and refrain from living openly in order to be included in the fight for equality. While their artistic contributions have been noted, they have been largely excluded from past civil rights movements. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement offers new‐found hope for inclusion. BLM was founded on the principles of full inclusion of LGBTQ individuals. While this is noteworthy, it has not been without controversy because in order to embrace full inclusion, it was necessary for BLM to locate itself outside of the traditional Black church. Nevertheless, this has not negated the progress of BLM and its quest for equality. BLM's call for full inclusion challenges the field of adult education to examine its current practices and to create safe spaces for learning.
This paper presents the findings of an analysis of three autoethnographies of Black gay men at mi... more This paper presents the findings of an analysis of three autoethnographies of Black gay men at midlife. The findings indicate that Black gay men experience themselves as silenced from an early age. Further, Black gay men actively work to conceal their sexual orientation in response to social expectations. Black gay men "evolve" to a point of self acceptance at midlife rather than abruptly "coming out" and Black gay men reach out to their communities at midlife in an apparent need to give back.
This study sought to understand the disproportionately higher smoking rates among LGTBQ individua... more This study sought to understand the disproportionately higher smoking rates among LGTBQ individuals by employing social learning theory as a tool to analyze the findings from four focus groups conducted among this population in one metro area. The findings indicate that LGBTQ individuals often start smoking after "coming out" in direct response to social stresses and gay culture which seems to be supportive of smoking behavior.
This paper addresses the role of spirituality in the lives of Black Same Gender Loving (SGL) men.... more This paper addresses the role of spirituality in the lives of Black Same Gender Loving (SGL) men. Findings from the analysis of three autoethnographies indicate Black SGL men experience same sex attraction at an early age, reevaluate the religious and spiritual teachings of their youth, attend church at an early age, consider spirituality an integral part of their daily lives, and utilize spirituality in reaching reach out to others.
This paper examines how critical educational gerogogy (CEG) can be used to expose ageism and rela... more This paper examines how critical educational gerogogy (CEG) can be used to expose ageism and relationships of power and inequality in the lives of older adults. The current literature in CEG is reviewed. The authors conclude by advancing a counterhegemonic approach which embraces transformative and emancipative education for older adults.
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Jun 1, 2016
Mainstream adult education has historically dedicated little effort to addressing spiritual issue... more Mainstream adult education has historically dedicated little effort to addressing spiritual issues related to Black gay men. Without a voice in the research literature, Black gay men are silent and invisible when it comes to expressing their sexuality and their spirituality. This chapter examines the spiritually based life experiences of Black gay men at the intersection of race, class, and sexual identity. We highlight the critical role adult educators can play in assisting learners in meaning-making under conditions that are in conflict with dominant ideologies (Hill, 2002). We conclude with an exploration of findings from three autoethnographies. Findings from the analysis of the three autoethnographies indicate that Black gay men conceal feelings, are indoctrinated in the Black church at an early age, and consider spirituality an integral part of their daily lives. However, in their quest for individuality and self-expression, Black gay men have found "Liberatory Spaces" in the form of reconciliation and reinterpretation of former religious teachings. Sheared and Sissel (2001) operationalized "Making Spaces" as an action undertaken by both learner and adult educator, which involves acknowledging the invisibility, inequities, and oppressive forces that marginalized communities face on a daily basis. Providing opportunities and space in the academy and community for their voices to be heard is an expectation of "Making Spaces." To this end, we seek to make space for Black gay men to share their experiences, find their voices, and challenge the hegemonic dominant ideologies regarding sexuality, spirituality, and race. When Black gay men discuss spirituality in learning circles, we see a contentious relationship between them and the ideologies about homosexuality that prevail in Black communities. Although the American Psychological Association (APA) and most mental health experts agree that homosexuality is a psychological predisposition not born of a psychological defect or mental illness, many in the Black community are not convinced and often
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Jun 1, 2014
This chapter addresses tobacco use among sexual minorities. It examines research on the prevalenc... more This chapter addresses tobacco use among sexual minorities. It examines research on the prevalence of tobacco use in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and discusses why tobacco use within this group continues to significantly exceed that of the general population.
The purpose of the study was to determine the nature of the manifestation of masculinity among ol... more The purpose of the study was to determine the nature of the manifestation of masculinity among older Black men. This study reports the finding from a content analysis conducted on three popular magazine covers: American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), Ebony, and Men's Health. These magazines were selected because of their circulation and to make sure that
Spirituality is important in the lives of African Americans. Not surprising then, it is significa... more Spirituality is important in the lives of African Americans. Not surprising then, it is significant for Black gay men, as members of the African American community. In this paper we discuss five themes that emerged from an analysis of three autoethnographies.
In this paper the authors analyze three personal stories of race using Critical Race Theory (CRT)... more In this paper the authors analyze three personal stories of race using Critical Race Theory (CRT). The analysis reveals common themes which speak to the tragic impact of racism on the lives of African Americans. An analysis of the processes that replicate injustice and racism form the basis of critical race theory (CRT) (Delgado & Stefanic, 2001). One of the key tenets of CRT is that racism is ordinary and pervasive. The ordinariness of racism means that all those who hold power or privilege (Rocco & Gallagher, 2004) are racists and do not acknowledge their views or actions as racist but normal, typical and part of the status quo. The status quo is reinforced by the interest convergence of "white elites (materially) and working-class people (psychically)" (Delgado & Stefanic, 2001, p. 7) who work together by consensus to maintain the status quo. Interest convergence maintains that Whites are only willing to change the power differential when there is a clear benefit to the interests of Whites. The power held by the White elite results from control of material resources and capital. Although working class people do not share these resources, they derive psychic benefit from the existence of a subordinate racial group. CRT scholars argue that race not only matters, but it will always matter. Racism is a fundamental characteristic of American life. CRT starts with the premise that racism and race are endemic and permanent in our society. CRT looks at the social, political, and economic inequity among groups acknowledging that race intersects with other characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, and class (Yosso, 2005). As an example of the ordinariness of racism when a Black man with a white girlfriend was found dead from a gunshot wound to the groin and bled to death it was ruled a hunting accident (Witt, 2005). It is nonsensical to believe hunters would abandon an accident victim and not get immediate medical attention. In another case, a Black man dating a White woman was found hanging from a tree. Local officials ruled it a suicide, despite the persistent doubts of the family and civil rights officials (Witt, 2005). People of color know this pre civil rights and modern history, and live its impact in silence. Even those who would dare to speak up are told that these events are ancient history and are not relevant today. When in reality these events are relevant because they speak to the continuation of racism in modern times. CRT asserts that "members of this country's dominant racial group cannot easily grasp what it is like to be nonwhite" (p. 22). In CRT, storytelling and counter storytelling is powerful because it reveals the racist acts people of color face daily while challenging the beliefs universally held by the majority. The interpretation of the experience of racism is very different based on the degree of power and authority a person holds in this society. To change our future, these stories and lived experiences need to be told, listened to, and analyzed in a way that connects the stories to CRT. This means that once the story is told an examination of the key elements of the story should be based in the tenets, propositions, and legal arguments developed in the CRT literature. This analysis must also be based on an evident understanding and portrayal of CRT as a form of critical legal analysis. In this paper, Elizabeth, Willene, and Lorenzo share their personal stories related to race. Elizabeth's Story: A Reflection on a Racial Incident. Elizabeth shares a story that chronicles her childhood experience of having a cross burned in her yard after her family moved to the suburbs when she was nine years old. She described how her family sought to protect her by blocking her view of the burning cross and refusing to talk about the incident. She came to feel
We posit that when the experience of the imposter syndrome intersects with race and class, the re... more We posit that when the experience of the imposter syndrome intersects with race and class, the result can be a paralyzing existence. How does race impact performance in the adult learning environment? And, how does race perpetuate the "imposter syndrome" among students of color in the educational environment? Clance and Imes (1978) conducted a study with over 150 highly successful women with PhDs and students who were highly recognized for their academic success and found that women were more likely to project the cause of their success outward to an external cause such as luck and not to inherent ability. Zorn (2005) noted that "the culture of the university makes it difficult to talk about the imposter phenomenon, and those experiencing it often suffer in isolation" (p. 8). While the imposter syndrome is more common among women (Acker, 1997; Acker & Armenti, 2004; Acker & Fluevenger, 1996; Clance & Imes, 1978), it also manifests itself in professional men and students of color and in those below middle class.
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Jun 1, 2021
LGBTQ contributors to civil rights movements have had to remain silent and refrain from living op... more LGBTQ contributors to civil rights movements have had to remain silent and refrain from living openly in order to be included in the fight for equality. While their artistic contributions have been noted, they have been largely excluded from past civil rights movements. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement offers new‐found hope for inclusion. BLM was founded on the principles of full inclusion of LGBTQ individuals. While this is noteworthy, it has not been without controversy because in order to embrace full inclusion, it was necessary for BLM to locate itself outside of the traditional Black church. Nevertheless, this has not negated the progress of BLM and its quest for equality. BLM's call for full inclusion challenges the field of adult education to examine its current practices and to create safe spaces for learning.
This paper presents the findings of an analysis of three autoethnographies of Black gay men at mi... more This paper presents the findings of an analysis of three autoethnographies of Black gay men at midlife. The findings indicate that Black gay men experience themselves as silenced from an early age. Further, Black gay men actively work to conceal their sexual orientation in response to social expectations. Black gay men "evolve" to a point of self acceptance at midlife rather than abruptly "coming out" and Black gay men reach out to their communities at midlife in an apparent need to give back.
This study sought to understand the disproportionately higher smoking rates among LGTBQ individua... more This study sought to understand the disproportionately higher smoking rates among LGTBQ individuals by employing social learning theory as a tool to analyze the findings from four focus groups conducted among this population in one metro area. The findings indicate that LGBTQ individuals often start smoking after "coming out" in direct response to social stresses and gay culture which seems to be supportive of smoking behavior.
This paper addresses the role of spirituality in the lives of Black Same Gender Loving (SGL) men.... more This paper addresses the role of spirituality in the lives of Black Same Gender Loving (SGL) men. Findings from the analysis of three autoethnographies indicate Black SGL men experience same sex attraction at an early age, reevaluate the religious and spiritual teachings of their youth, attend church at an early age, consider spirituality an integral part of their daily lives, and utilize spirituality in reaching reach out to others.
This paper examines how critical educational gerogogy (CEG) can be used to expose ageism and rela... more This paper examines how critical educational gerogogy (CEG) can be used to expose ageism and relationships of power and inequality in the lives of older adults. The current literature in CEG is reviewed. The authors conclude by advancing a counterhegemonic approach which embraces transformative and emancipative education for older adults.
New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Jun 1, 2016
Mainstream adult education has historically dedicated little effort to addressing spiritual issue... more Mainstream adult education has historically dedicated little effort to addressing spiritual issues related to Black gay men. Without a voice in the research literature, Black gay men are silent and invisible when it comes to expressing their sexuality and their spirituality. This chapter examines the spiritually based life experiences of Black gay men at the intersection of race, class, and sexual identity. We highlight the critical role adult educators can play in assisting learners in meaning-making under conditions that are in conflict with dominant ideologies (Hill, 2002). We conclude with an exploration of findings from three autoethnographies. Findings from the analysis of the three autoethnographies indicate that Black gay men conceal feelings, are indoctrinated in the Black church at an early age, and consider spirituality an integral part of their daily lives. However, in their quest for individuality and self-expression, Black gay men have found "Liberatory Spaces" in the form of reconciliation and reinterpretation of former religious teachings. Sheared and Sissel (2001) operationalized "Making Spaces" as an action undertaken by both learner and adult educator, which involves acknowledging the invisibility, inequities, and oppressive forces that marginalized communities face on a daily basis. Providing opportunities and space in the academy and community for their voices to be heard is an expectation of "Making Spaces." To this end, we seek to make space for Black gay men to share their experiences, find their voices, and challenge the hegemonic dominant ideologies regarding sexuality, spirituality, and race. When Black gay men discuss spirituality in learning circles, we see a contentious relationship between them and the ideologies about homosexuality that prevail in Black communities. Although the American Psychological Association (APA) and most mental health experts agree that homosexuality is a psychological predisposition not born of a psychological defect or mental illness, many in the Black community are not convinced and often
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