Dominance vs. Predominance

Paris is Burning is a documentary set in the late 80s and early 90s and explores the culture of African American gay men in New York. These men were generally abandoned by their mothers and fathers, so they were forced to search for a new family. They found community among other men like themselves and created a culture, families, and community that reflected their dreams and desires in a world that had mistreated them.
The men from this documentary did not fit the strictly enforced binary sexual system practiced by American society at the time. Paris is Burning is a documentary set in the late 80s and early 90s and explores the culture of African American gay men in New York. These men were generally abandoned by their mothers and fathers, so they were forced to search for a new family. They found community among other men like themselves and created a culture, families, and community that reflected their dreams and desires in a world that had mistreated them.

The men from this documentary did not fit the strictly enforced binary sexual system practiced by American society at the time. Together they were the lost boys of their society. What caused such great fear of homosexuals in America then? What causes such great fear of homosexual rights, relationships, and families today? A major argument is for the sanctity of the traditional Christian family. These traditional family values predominantly favor the wealthy white Christian way of life. For this reason, people of influence encourage rules, whether formal laws or social stigmas, that shame alternative lifestyles and favor their own. As far as motives go, this makes sense, because the best way to remain in power is to gain the support of others to promote your goals.

In discussions about minority groups, I am often stalemated and at a loss for words. My my father is from a long blended lineage of white Europeans and my mother is Italian. I am male. I am straight. I am the son of a doctor. I grew up in the suburbs. I went to private school my entire life. I have traveled the world playing soccer, sailing, and camping. My parents pay for my college. I have been provided with everything I need to succeed and more. I have the opportunities to grow and do more in our society, because I won a genetic lottery when I was born. I also desire to enter into a heterosexual christian marriage and raise children in a similar way to the way my parents raised me. All of which, fits the agenda of the wealthy men and women of our society. For these reasons, I do not always feel that I have a voice in topics about minorities. I have greatly benefited from a society where people with my physical characteristics are widely accepted.

However at the same time, I sympathize with the cries of the minorities. I do not feel that the pursuit of my own happiness and life goals should hinder the aspirations of people who are different than me. I love meeting, learning from, and building relationships with people from different backgrounds and experiences. I find great beauty in diversity. I plan to pursue my own goals and make the changes I desire to see. Hopefully, one day I’ll be in a high position in a company and have the ability to hire someone based on their merit and potential rather than their race, sex, gender, sexuality, social class, or any other stereotype. I sincerely hope the people who hire me treat me with this same respect. I will educate my children to have tolerance for others and to be open to new ideas. I will teach them that predominance is not equivalent to dominance.

dom·i·nance

ˈdämənəns/

noun

1. power and influence over others.

pre·dom·i·nance

prəˈdämənəns/

noun

1. the state or condition of being greater in number or amount.