Actor Billy Porter has followed up his recent “For What It’s Worth” performance at the Democratic National Convention by blaming White people for “choke-holding power and sucking the life out of humanity.”
The “Pose” star spoke to Vanity Fair for a photo portfolio “celebrating the founders of Black Lives Matter” and its celebrity supporters when the subject turned toward issues he feels are neglected.
His response: “White supremacy.”
“White people [are] choke-holding power and sucking the life out of humanity,” he said for the piece published Monday. “Orangina 45, that cancer that is in our White House, has been handed the power, without consequence, to have his hate metastasize all over the people. Why are we not talking about figuring out how to remove this monster from the highest office in the land right now! ’Cause we might not be alive come November. And this is not hyperbole.”
Mr. Porter told the entertainment magazine that he has incorporated activism into his daily life for years as a matter of necessity.
“I chose to live my life in the fullness of my truth and authenticity decades ago, when being Black and queer could literally mean one’s death,” he said. “There are still too many of us, trans women of color to be exact, that live in fear for their lives simply for existing on the planet and living their true, authentic lives. This reality must change, and change for good!”
The actor added that until all like-minded activists consider themselves free then “none of us are free.”
“This moment has lit a fire inside of me and truly thrusted me into using my platform to deliver the message [that] Black queer people are Black first,” he said. “Queer second. Our queerness is not a ’choice.’ It is who we are and we will no longer be silenced. None of us are free until we all are free.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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