—

June marks LGBTQ Pride Month and Pennsylvania State Representative Mr. Brian Sims – an out-of-the-closet white man who lives in Center City Philadelphia just a stone’s throw away from a gay bar whose owner wasvideotaped repeating the word nigger and just footsteps from at least two institutions which came under routine protests for their perceived anti-blackness culture and practices – has little to be proud about.

Mr. Sims, no stranger to either local or national press, wears his sexual preference on his sleeve, and it’s maybe for that reason that he couldn’t lift his hands to fight a heavy, longstanding issue like Gayborhood racism, a Philadelphia tradition – which Mr. Sim’s inherited as both the representative of that area and a neighbor – whose origin dates back at least 30 years.

It’s hard to overstate how egregious it is that a prominent politician who the media – particularly the white-owned corporate media – adores, would opt to not leverage his cachet and celebrity to bring attention to, and mitigate the suffering of, black and brown people. And yet, it also can’t be overstated just how normal it is. Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free

Mr. Sims – by remaining silent on the issue, not attending the crowded public hearing presented on the topic, which was organized by a government agency, and keeping his distance from the protests which raised the profile of the malfeasance – joins a cohort of suited talkers who identify with the fight for equality just enough to be seen as a victim or an overcomer, but not a true ally to people of color.

Mr. Sims in March of this year confronted the state of his ally-ship to the LGBTQ community in an article published by Metro Philly two months after the local government released its report on Gayborhood racism, which found that, among other things, racism there predates the 21st Century, and individuals of color, women and transgender people feel unwelcome and unsafe.

In the brief article, Mr. Sims gives credit to the Black and Brown Workers Collective, the activist cohort who pushed the envelope on the matter and whose partially responsible for the materialization of the January 2017 report from the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, for challenging him to be a better ally. But, he didn’t address why his post, which is devoid of any real substance or solutions, came roughly five months after the high-profile public hearing where even the Mayor of Philadelphia appeared.

So, why didn’t Mr. Sims, who at a recent press conference forcefully condemned conversion therapyfor minors, address the business practices of gay bars in his District that were said to be the source of numerous reports of racism and discrimination?

On Thursday evening, Mr. Sims had a chance to answer that question when he, at the time speaking to an older woman, was approached on the street by Black Lives Matter activist Mr. Asa Khalif, who was among the citizens who testified at the public hearing on Gayborhood racism, and who participated in at least one of the protest against ICandy, the establishment ran by apologetic barkeep Mr. Darryl DePiano.

Mr. Sims didn’t answer the question, instead he accused Mr. Khalif of having ample opportunity, per invites, to appear at his office. Mr. Khalif, who this week was a part of a protest against the Philadelphia Police Department that went viral, denies ever receiving such communications.

Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free

What ensued after that exchange was a slow-speed chase: Mr. Sims aiming to escape the camera lens of journalist Mr. Malcolm Burnley, who writes for POLITICO, Philadelphia Magazine and other publications, and I, as well as the caustic language of Mr. Khalif, who, in addition to using profanity, yelled, again and again, “SHAME!”

The encounter traveled from the streets, to the lobby of what appeared to be Mr. Sims’ apartment building. In between those two locations, Mr. Khalif called Mr. Sims a coward, and Mr. Sims was largely silent. The scene ended when Mr. Sims, seemingly embarrassed and angered, ascended via an elevator.

Mr. Khalif wasn’t the first to call out Mr. Sims regarding his silence and inaction on Gayborhood racism – G Philly editor Mr. Ernest Owens wrote that Mr. Sims should stop chasing the national spotlight and focus on the Gayborhood – and he shouldn’t be the last.

Being held accountable should come with job of being held in high-esteem. To whom much is given, much is required. Mr. Sims has been given a legislative district, and he’s required to fight off anti-blackness wherever and whenever it arises.

Thanks for reading! Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® and I’m Drumming for Justice!™

Photo courtesy of author.

—

We are proud of our SOCIAL INTEREST GROUPS—WEEKLY PHONE CALLS to help #StopRacism—as well as groups and calls to help some of the most difficult challenges the world has today. Calls are for Members Only (although you can join the first call for free). Not yet a member of The Good Men Project? Join now!

Join The Good Men Project Community.

The $50 Platinum Level is an ALL-ACCESS PASS—join as many groups and classes as you want for the entire year. The $20 Gold Level gives you access to any ONE Social Interest Group and ONE Class–and other benefits listed below the form. Or…for $5, join as a Bronze Member and support our mission.

Register New Account

Log in if you wish to renew an existing subscription. Username Email First Name Last Name Password Password Again Choose your subscription level Annual Platinum - $50.00 - 1 Year

Annual Bronze - $12.00 - 1 Year

Annual Gold - $25.00 - 1 Year Credit / Debit Card PayPal Choose Your Payment Method Auto Renew Subscribe to The Good Men Project Daily Newsletter our Terms of Service which can be found here.



*Payment is by PayPal.

Please note: If you are already a writer/contributor at The Good Men Project, log in here before registering. (Request new password if needed).

Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free

◊♦◊

ANNUAL PLATINUM membership ($50 per year) includes:

1. AN ALL ACCESS PASS — Join ANY and ALL of our weekly calls, Social Interest Groups, classes, workshops and private Facebook groups. We have at least one group phone call or online class every day of the week.

2. See the website with no ads when logged in!

3. PLATINUM MEMBER commenting badge and listing on our “Friends of The Good Men Project” page.

***

ANNUAL GOLD membership ($20 per year) includes all the benefits above — but only ONE Weekly Social Interest Group and ONE class.

***

ANNUAL BRONZE membership ($5 per year) is great if you are not ready to join the full conversation but want to support our mission anyway. You’ll still get a BRONZE commenting badge, a listing on our Friends page, and you can pop into any of our weekly Friday Calls with the Publisher when you have time. This is for people who believe—like we do—that this conversation about men and changing roles and goodness in the 21st century is one of the most important conversations you can have today.

♦◊♦

We have calls about these topics 7 days a week! Join us by becoming a Platinum or Gold member. (Click on the graphic for more information about the calls and to RSVP for them.)

♦◊♦

We have pioneered the largest worldwide conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century. Your support of our work is inspiring and invaluable.

◊♦◊