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Is
the phenomenon known as the Down Low affecting the credibility of innocent
heterosexual brothers? Many heterosexual brothers say yes. The worldwide spread
of this infamous society called the “DL” is now affecting the reputation and
credibility of heterosexual brothers. Many sisters today are questioning the
sexual orientation of any brothers in their paths. Especially the new brothers
sisters are considering having a relationship with. Is this stigma being
placed on innocent heterosexual brothers fair? This is a hard question to truly
answer. So, let’s look at it from both perspectives, that of sisters and that
of innocent heterosexual brothers.
Black
females account for the highest number of all new cases of HIV among women in
the United States today. This is staggering. Therefore, sisters are being
careful, cognitive and circumspective before submitting themselves to a
relationship with brothers because of the staggering HIV rates among them. Is
that so bad? I said no, sisters should have taken this type of proactive action
long before now. Sisters are standing firm and advocating the famous epigram,
“the good has to suffer with the bad.” I will admit that many
innocent heterosexual brothers are being falsely accused of living life on the
DL, but sisters are still saying “better safe than sorry”. Is this
fair to the heterosexual brothers? Maybe not, however, sisters must put the love
and concern for themselves on the front burner.
However,
the innocent heterosexual brothers see things in a different light. Believing
they are being persecuted unjustifiably. This may sound unfair to the innocent
heterosexual brothers, but sisters are looking at this as a life or death
decision. So, how do innocent heterosexual brothers alleviate themselves from
this stigma? This is the question so many heterosexual brothers are asking.
Heterosexual brothers say sisters should get to know them and not immediately
jump the conclusion they are on the DL because they may have a soft voice or may
bear some type of feminine characteristics.
The
Down Low substantiality further divides black men and black women today. It’s
so sad, but it’s a sad fact. It’s also a fact that black men and black women
have been divided associative through other forms of stigmatizations,
perceptions and nocuous beliefs throughout our historical existence here in the
United States. What can we do as a race to minimize or even correct these
damaging relational stereotypes? We can start by opening our eyes to the
detrimental affects this has on our children. We can continue by, strengthening
our family values, thereby creating an unbreakable bond. In addition, we must be
honest with others and ourselves by engaging in open and meaningful
conversations directly addressing our societal issues.
That
being said, we must openly and honestly address the issue of Down Low brothers.
We can’t ignore or tap dance around the fact of their existence. We can’t
keep blaming the DL as the number one contributor of the high number of HIV
positive sisters. We can’t keep turning our noses up at these brothers. We
can’t keep out casting and/or shaming these brothers. This will not fix the
problem! The more negatively we react to these brothers, the deeper they will go
into the closet. The only way we are going to positively address and potentially
fix the high number of HIV among black women, is to somehow find a way to accept
their DL sexual behavior, thereby creating some comfort level for these brothers
to come clean. This sound almost impossible and very taboo, but do you see any
other way?
We
have to look at the end results of their DL behavior and not at the sickening
bedroom actions of these brothers. God truly disapprove of homosexuality, as
such, he destroyed an entire city. We all know the biblical story outlining
God’s disapproval of such sexual behavior among his children. This article is
not written to bash or disgrace the DL brothers; it’s written as an attempt to
save our race.
So,
I say, sisters continue with your proactive and careful strategies before
entering into a relationship with any brother. Your cognition could very well
save your life. And I say to the heterosexual brothers, suck it up and
understand the caution actions of sisters today. A pill can’t cure HIV; it’s
a death sentence and sisters are aware of the fact that HIV and the DL have a
direct correlation, which primarily affects them.
In
closing I would like to address the DL brothers. Think about what you are doing
to your family, your race and most of all; think about what you are doing to
yourselves. You obviously exist in very high numbers and from the looks of
things, you will continue with your homosexual ways. So what’s so hard about
protecting yourself, but most importantly, what’s so hard about protecting
your innocent wives, girlfriends and/or lovers? Open your eyes and see the
damaging results of your secret sexual encounters with other men. Not only are
you putting yourselves at risk; you are putting our entire race at risk. So we
challenge you to come clean and/or unquestionably protect yourselves. Here’s
something for you to think about. How would you feel if a Down Low brother
infected your Mother with HIV? Think about that for a moment.
Nubia is the author of “20
Warning Signs of Down Low Brothers”
First published in 2004 | 
