Is #TweetLikeAWwhiteGay racist or necessary?
Over the weekend, Twitter exploded with the hashtag #TweetLikeAWwhiteGay, as a tool to shine light on the privilege gay, cis white men experience. But it did so much more than that.
The hashtag addresses how members of this demographic tackle issues like race, gender, and class. It wasn’t pretty.
#TweetLikeAWhiteGay YAAAAAS QUEEN SIP THAT TEA BOO OOH GURL SNATCH MY WEAVE MY EDGES ARE GONE I AM LIVING RIGHT NOW WERK HUNTY YAAAAAS
— harley (@crybabyharley) January 29, 2016
*sexually harasses girls* *uses misogynistic slurs* *transphobic as hell* it’s okay hunty! I’m gay :))) yaaas NOH8 #TweetLikeAWhiteGay
— mirelurk queen (@aucuparia_) January 29, 2016
#TweetLikeaWhiteGay I’m literally a minority DO NOT talk to me about oppression, slavery is over it’s still illegal to be gay
— Tony (@MADBLACKTWINK) January 29, 2016
#TweetLikeAWhiteGay “I’m gay & have had no struggle coming out!”
*Ellen gives then $10,000*— . (@Adolfoxo_) January 29, 2016
“Issues in the black trans community? This sounds a topic my voice should be heard in!”#TweetLikeaWhiteGay
— Brendan Maclean (@macleanbrendan) January 29, 2016
Whites ONLY????????????
Hispanics/Blacks/Asians not allowed????????????????I’m not racist? I just have a preference lol
— mikey (@attachingly) January 29, 2016
These are only a few from a large pool of tweets. The criticism reaches racism on dating apps, transphobia, sexism, and even appearance. While some of them are humorous, and many of them bring up important issues, this is still an attack.
Make no mistake, I’m not advocating the blatant racism on dating apps. I am not encouraging gay men to speak to women in a condescending way. I am not pretending that we all have the same stories, or issues to face. The queer community is vast, with people of all shapes, colors, heritages, and backgrounds, some of which I may never understand, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.
This hashtag did nothing in the way of progress. It’s counterproductive to its own message by simply redirecting racist generalizations towards white people. As a white man, I recognize my privilege. But the color of my skin, or the fact that I’m cis, should not silence my opinion.
Even if I do think Miss Spears is still relevant …
#TweetLikeAWhiteGay Britney is still relevant
— gage (@gage_minajj) January 29, 2016
