Source Of The Image: Instagram user theebillyporter
In a free video-sharing to its Instagram account on Thursday, Pose star Billy Porter spoke about the heartbreaking reality of being a member of the Black community and the LGBTQ+ community in the united states. In the powerful video, Billy opened up about the hate, the oppression and inequality that they face as a Black man each day, and how the country based on the race, the infrastructure plays a huge role in the celebration of centuries-old systems of injustice.
“As Black people, we risk our lives each time we leave our homes. As queer people of color that the risk doubles,” Billy said. “We move about our days, suck it up, hide our pain and the terror of the world, trying to make ourselves smaller, so that white people and straight people feel comfortable. Our parents try to prepare us for the realities of this world: the fact that the playing field is not level, the laws that protect white people do not do the same for us, and that we have to be at least 10 times better at anything you choose to do in life to simply get in the rooms where things happen.”
There has been a flood of protests after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer on May 25and Billy insists that there is much more work to be done. “Progress has been made. But as we can see, the centuries of progress that can be reversed and interrupted by the white men who fear losing their power.”
Similar to Lizzo, Leslie Jones, and other celebrities, Billy addressed the fact that the Triumph of the Administration has only further contributed to this inherently destructive of the society imbalance and encourage viewers to vote come the November elections. “This election is the most important thing that we have seen in our lifetime,” said Billy. “Democracy is on the ballot. White supremacy is on the ballot. Homophobia. The rights of the woman. Trans rights. Muslim rights. All the human rights. All on the November ballot this year. And I ask America: we’re going to be better than this? . . . It is time for a change. And this time, change for the better. The vote. The vote. The VOTE. VOTE.”
Watch Billy’s full speech here and find out what organizations you can donate in support of racial justice.
