Homophobia and racism is typically not evident in kids, unless they learn these actions for parents. Chris Crass’s book “White Fragility” understands that this in some white people is a product of the “Great Replacement Theory” in which the majority suppresses the minority because they fear being overtaken.
In “All Boys Aren’t Blue” George Johnson is subjected to bullying as a child. His mannerisms were viewed as those of a f**. As a redheaded boy I was bullied for my hair difference in my predominately white school. This small variation in hair color in no way equals the racism endured by Black boys. But if you are “other” you can be targeted.
There was a concept developed after the vicious slaying of. Mathew Shepard, that in the gay experience “It gets better” and a wait and see attitude is a good idea. This is nowadays patently untrue as the two books demonstrate.
George was bullied and was protected by his close Black family and had to learn to for himself later. Cross’s book exhort’s white people to learn the skills to continuously question racism and by inference homophobia.
The current political situation demands our vigilance as things don’t necessarily get better.
