Jackson Free Press

Wanted to pass on this link to one of my old friends that writes an opinion column for my new zine, CONVERSATIONS. She is Kendall Walker, a 35 year old woman who lives in Jackson, MS who has an opinion on everything.

VERBATIM: "Just because I'm single, doesn't mean I can't have a good time. When I'm with my girlfriends, we talk about alot of things: the weather.GUYS. Clothes. GUYS. Music and the Movies...and GUYS. So you can see that the subject of guys might come up. One thing we talk about when discussing men is the seemingly innate need of a man to lie and cheat. This is especially true when it comes to men who are not straight up with themselves and others about their sexuality. You know what I mean: the supposed 'dl lifestyle.' Men on the down low. Especially among black men this is the way they explain their trying to enjoy (the best and the worst of) both worlds. Can I understand why black men live on the dl?"

READ THE ENTIRE COLUMN AT http://www.askkendall.com You can email your comments to her at [e-mail missing]

Her column will probably be one of the highlights of each zine. She is also interested in topics you want her to discuss.

Previous Commentsshow

The girl doesn't pull any punches. She speaks from the heart. One thing is she had a boyfriend that was less than forthcoming about his sexual history. I like her spunk and look forward to her next column.

c a webb

Mar 17 2006

You know, I was talking to a good friend of mine today about Kendall's article and I we both came to an agreement on something. It can't be easy for any one to feel as though they can't be themselves around people all the time for the fear of being labeled. I have to admit my own prejudice here by saying that I don't feel comfortable being around guys that are flamboyant and using figures of speech like a female. It makes me feel uncomfortable. But on the other hand I feel the say way about hanging with guys that feel like they have to brag about how many girls they have taken to bed, whether they themselves are married or seeing someone steady. I guess Kendall's article made me realize that the important thing is not my own comfort zone, because it may be people like me that make people feel like they have to hide what they do and with whom because of what others might say. This was a good thing for me to read to do some self-evaluation. And I think it makes me a better person because of that.

c a webb

Mar 18 2006

I totally aggree with Kendall'ss article. Too many women and children, specifically African American, are losing the battle to HIV and AIDS because of the "D.L." These D.L. men need to understand the severity of their consequences and have respect for the women and children's lives they are endangering even if they have no respect for their own. I'm not against being gay/lesbian and I understand the stigma that is attached to the lifestlye, but many people ( hetero and homosexual) fail to realize that not only does the truth set one free, but what is hidden in darkness always and I do mean always comes to the light!!!

jan2006

Mar 20 2006

My next T-shirt: Down Low = Low Down

LatashaWillis

Mar 29 2006

L.W., I like the shirt idea. Keep me posted. I don't know if you saw the BET special last night about the D.L. lifestyle. It was really interesting, and I think it really puts faces to the effects of living a lie and how it affects so many.

c a webb

Mar 29 2006

I hardly ever watch BET. I'll get back to you about the shirt.

LatashaWillis

Mar 29 2006

Here's the shirt.

LatashaWillis

Apr 1 2006

Here's the shirt.

LatashaWillis

Apr 1 2006