From: ary@po.CWRU.Edu (Abd R. Yatim)
Subject: Re: AM/CM - Gay Colonialism?
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, (USA)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 92 20:04:37 GMT


Gay Colonialism?   Hmmm....

I don't think so.  Reasons:

1.  The relationship of exploitation that was colonialism
is blurred and even diluted if we extend it to current relations
between caucasians and other races within the U.S.  Colonialism
had elements built into it--especially institutional and
juridical ones, such as differences in basic rights and freedoms
depending on whether one was colonizer or colonized--for which
there are no direct parallels in contemporary U.S. society.
This is not to say that systematic relations of exploitation
are absent here (see below).  Only a blind fool such as George
Bush/Will would think that.  Rather, the point is that these
relations are simply not colonial.

2.  The heart of the issue is the sense that in relations with
Euro-Americans (or with caucasians generally around the globe),
there is ALWAYS an element of domination/subordination present
because caucasians are (and historically have been) in quite
dominant positions in the U.S. and elsewhere.  This blanket view
denies the individuality of both the whites and their lovers.
Are all caucasians exploitative?  Are all Asians (or Africans or
Latinos or whomever) involved in relationships with whites
merely seeking some sort of unconscious "validation" they
cannot otherwise achieve?  Again, we can take the easy answer
and just say "obviously!"  Or we can complicate matters a little
and admit that we need to look at the individuals involved and
see if the relationship is indeed exploitative, or if the partners
each have a sense of self-worth and dignity which makes for a
more equal and democratic relationship.

3.  What is objectionable, it seems to me, is not relations between
people of different racial or ethnic groups (or relations between
caucasians and all other peoples), but rather exploitative
relations period.  But what a can of worms this is!!  If we seek
to address this basic problem by "outlawing" such relationships,
then the list will be long indeed.  (And remember, to outlaw is to
offer a "blanket" response to a problem, sweeping both the good
and the bad into the same trash bin).  I think the vast majority of
relations between men and women, for instance, are marked by a
strong element of domination/subordination.  And this goes for
relations between Asian men and Asian women.  This tends to be
the case also for partnerships between those more well off and
those who are from poorer origins economically, between city and
country dwellers, and between older and (much) younger lovers.
There are a multiplicity of dimensions of domination-subor-
dination that we could list.  Should all these categories of
relations be outlawed??

4.  I prefer instead to take things case-by-case.  Take a good look
at the people involved and make judgements accordingly.  It is
true, for example, that many Asian men seek some sort of validation
here in the U.S. through the pursuit of white guys.  And often they
do so for reasons (deeply psychological) not easily understood or
easily changed.  Indeed, some such men express their total lack of
attraction for Asian men quite openly (and if you ask precisely why
they are not attracted to men from their own race, the response is
often an unreflected "that's just what my tastes are.")  But, it is
extremely important that we realize that there are plenty of Asian,
African, and Latino men who enter into relations with caucasians
not out of a sense of inferiority, but with a sense of self-worth and
dignity.  Needless to say, the relationship won't work unless the
white partner is also keenly aware of the potential for exploitation
and confronts his own position of empowerment as a white man.  If he's
not aware, his Asian lover will likely realize this and do the right
thing: find someone better.