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On Noah's Arc
Last year I became part of a large crop of gay black male writers who had debut novels. It was me, Alphonso Morgan, Fred Smith, Dayne Avery, Trent Jackson, and Eric Ware. Of these, I became closest to Fred and along the way got (re)acquainted with Brent Dorian Carpenter. If I could describe how it felt to be surrounded by all these men and so many others who were part of the gay black literary explosion, I could only use one word: renaissance.
Black gay blogging reached epic proportions and the accompanying drama was legendary. We had infiltrated the internet in a major way.
And yes, we even had The Ski Trip so we could see ourselves on screen, albeit in independent movie houses and film festivals.
When I peruse the emails from my readers, I become keenly aware of what my work has meant to other gay black men, young and old. It means something to be able to pick up a book and see yourself in it. Yourself -- not a white character, not a straight character, but actually you.
I didn't have digital cable, so I wasn't exactly excited about the Logo network, just happy that an alternative venue for entertainment was available. Maurice Jamal could show The Ski Trip, for example. But I was still skeptical because it's an MTV network.
Then Noah's Arc premiered. I thought to myself, gee, that's great for Patrick-Ian Polk. I've never met him, but I did see him when he presented a sneak preview of the pilot for Noah's Arc back in....wow, it must have been 2004. I thought it was very sexy. But I never really thought there would be a venue that would welcome it. I thought at best maybe I could buy it on DVD.
But, as I said, Noah's Arc did finally make it on TV, though Logo. But damn, did it have to be digital cable? I couldn't see myself plopping down the extra money for what would amount to Noah's Arc, Degrassi, and Sesame Unpaved, the only three shows on digital cable that I would really watch. Well, and the day's rerun of Days of Our Lives.
Then the DVDs of the first season came out. I was like man, if people don't stop asking me if I've seen Noah's Arc..... plus, hell, I owe it to a fellow black artist to purchase the work.
So I bought it from Lambda Rising here in DC. I watched it.
And I loved it.
Sure, there are things about Noah's Arc that are worthy of a critique, but that's not what I am here for. I am here to let you know:
1) You need to buy Noah's Arc on DVD and watch the new episodes on Logo if you have it.
2) Noah's Arc has solidified the culutral renaissance among gay black men.
When I see Noah's Arc, I see myself.
In Noah I see the writer in me.... I see a young man who is struggling to find his big break in the world while maintaining his identity. I see someone who is unafraid to be himself. And most importantly, I see a man who only wants to love and be loved.
In Chance I see the nerd in me -- the little angel on everyone's shoulder who tells them to do the right thing. I see the scholar side of me...the person who absorbs knowledge like it's going out of style. And even in Eddie, I see the faces of men I have loved.
In Alex I see my inner queen -- I crack up EVERY time he says "girt." I see a man who has character traits that not everyone understands that sometimes leave him out of the loop. And I see creativity and passion. In his man Trey, I see everything that balances out those qualities -- someone who is as level headed as I am passionate. The type of man I need.
In Ricky I see my inner slut -- he and Noah are on opposite sides of the same coin. Both just want to love and be loved. Ricky is the version of myself without a strong moral compass....I have been Ricky and I might be him again. He is deeply scarred and I am eager to see the further development of his character.
In Wade.....oh lord, that Wade. Wade is the type of guy that has so much love to give he doesn't even know how to use it. I've been there before, too.
Noah's Arc brings together all types of men, all gay. One might not see themselves precisely in a character -- for example, Noah is way more "fabulous" than I'll ever be, and none of the male leads are as.... how can one say it... "down to earth" as most of my gay male friends are. And yes, for me, having nothing but gay friends isn't realistic or necessarily desired.
But I still see myself in the show. More importantly, I see everyone else. I see men who I would have shied away from ten years ago because they were flamboyant or even drag queens. ow...who cares? I love me a man in drag, especially if he's fabulous!
Noah's Arc has some solid actors and some pretty faces. Followers of the show might be surprised to learn that Baby Gat is my new favorite supporting character. He is charismatic, dynamic, and flamboyant, but in a heterocentric way. Plus, he's British. How can I not love a black British character?
Noah's Arc also seems to be that show that black actors want to be on. Last season they had Renaldo Rey and Garrett Morris, for example. This season so far they've had Victoria Rowell (in a deliciously melodramatic role as the Lesbian wife of Eddie's boss), Keith Hamilton Cobb (who portrays a progessive blogger and media pundit), and Raz B, as a patient in Alex's clinic.
And let's not forget Wilson Cruz, who has shown off his chops as Dr. Junito Vargas. Let me just say that if you boo-hooed during the Christmas episode of My So-Called Life (remember when he was in that?) then you will be pleased at the dramatic evolution of Mr. Cruz.
The the brave soldiers who portray these characters, I salute you. Regardless of your sexuality, it is important that gay black men, especially the youth, see images of themselves. You have taken on the challenge of playing a role that could mean career suicide -- fight the good fight, for the sake of the craft as well as the people who look to your images for affirmation.
I especially salute you, Doug Spearman. You are an out gay black actor. Is there anything more to say?
To Patrick-Ian Polk....a man of my generation (and if not, you sure look like it to me).... life takes us in strange directions. In 2004, Punks was out but you were on your grind trying to make Noah's Arc a reality. I probably got no more than 20 feet away from you, but I admired your tenacity. Now your dream has been realized. You inspire black gay men (hell, all men and women) with every new episode of Noah's Arc, and every public appearance you make.
You have solidified the black gay renaissance through your efforts. Because of you, and all the other soldiers out there, you have put faces to our stories. You have transmitted our lives to the homes of people in the 'hood and in the cornfields.
I hope you're proud of yourself, because I sure am proud of you.
Posted by Rashid on September 24, 2006 2:29 PM
Comments
Glad you are back!! Rashid. I throughly enjoyed reading your post. You seem to have it down to a science-incorporating real life experience, insight, passion, raw sedated passion. I like that alot.
I too enjoy Noah's Arc. And indeed, his sitcom tells our stories. The characters project our lives, but more importantly, these characters bring "real and authentic life", to our lifestyles, to the point where we dont have to say to ourselves, that we are not! living a lie, and that our lives have meaning.
Commented by Milt on September 25, 2006 1:47 PM
Hey Rashid! I love Noah's Arc too, as I am sure many SGL men do. I feel like I am a mix of all of the main characters as well. It's like, im Noah's heart, with Ricky's conscience, Alex's feminity and Chance's look. So my friends and I decided that we would call ourselves after the characters on campus. So when they see me, they call me Chance and so on and so forth. I just love reading your blog because it's a counter to Keith Boykins that I try to read daily. Politics with him, and then enteratainment culture with you. It's all good, a great balance. BYE Girt!
Commented by Thomas on September 26, 2006 12:28 PM
I too am a fan of Noah's Arc. Excellent post
Commented by Tyler on September 26, 2006 12:41 PM