Tongues Untied
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Canada Movie Reviews of Tongues UntiedMovie Review: truth and raw power
Being a gay black man in his 20s and out on his own left me with nothing more to be besides being invisible or the sex toy of older men from Beverly Hills. All I had as inspiration for identity were the poems of Essex Hemphill and Blackberri. There were other gay men of color in the West Hollywood clubs, but they provided nothing but attitude (I later learned that I was competition). I'd heard of Tongues Untied through the years but was so busy trying to prove to my friends that I wasn't insane in trying to explain and understand the racism I've experienced in the gay community. I had just finally watched this the other day and I have only myself to blame for not picking this up earlier. It would have caused a lot less grief in my life. Marlon Riggs had not only taken the documentary form to new heights but his message rings true of the experience of the gay black man...us, who have been termed the guys with the `double whammy' much of which I still face today as a gay black man in his 40s. This powerful film speaks volumes in the experience of a group of men who must contend not only with black America and white America, but also gay white America. We must learn to voice ourselves, love ourselves and continue to build a stronger kinship and a community within a community that few ever really want to see or hear about. Marlon Riggs, Joseph Beam, Essex Hemphill among others have provided the foundation for pride and beauty. It's up to us to carry on that tradition because, quite frankly, if given the opportunity we've been given then gay black men will only be heard through the whispers of that allowance or the mistaken anger/whining booming from our expression. This movie is a must-see...not only for black gay men but for gay men period.
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