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Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown Talks Identity and Empathy
Photo by Zoe Oppenheimer.
TV personality, talk show host, and children’s author Karamo Brown, known for his roles on the “Karamo Show” and Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” spoke at Washington University as a part of the Social Programming Board’s (SPB) Trending Topic Lecture Series on Nov. 28.
Seniors Raevyn Ferguson and Ranen Miao moderated the event, attended by around 150 people, and asked Karamo questions about his experiences as a gay Black man in the media and in the world.
Brown began by speaking about what emboldens his work as a television personality and an advocate for equality between races and sexualities. Brown said his journey has not been easy, but he finds himself most inspired in challenging moments.
“Those challenging moments allowed me to show up for my most vulnerable self,” he said. “That is why I would never change my journey.”
Miao asked Brown about how his identity has been shaped by his reputation as the first openly gay Black man on a reality show. Brown responded by first acknowledging that he feels comfortable with his identity, but that it upset him to hear that he is only the first.
“When I hear those titles about being the first, it makes me sad,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Really, nobody before? Nobody was given that opportunity before?’”
Brown continued explaining why he takes issue with being the first — “That’s a problem for me because that means that we are still living in a time where people don’t value the opinions or the work or everything that makes us special when we are different.”
He went on to discuss how this indignance motivates him. “When I hear those titles, it makes me want to fight more, and I hope it makes you want to fight more.”
The actor talked about his professional journey and how many elements have been out of his control.
“I realize that you define your path, to some degree, but life has a way of throwing so many curve balls that we see as challenges, instead of realizing that it is just part of the path.” He told the audience to find peace in knowing that we “don’t have a lot of control in creating this path.”
Miao also asked if there are limitations to the empathy Brown is willing to give to those he helps who may have opposing political views to him. Brown said that every day he asks himself, “What capacity do I have today?” as a mode of self-protection. “When I’m up against people whose views are going to oppose mine, I first check in with myself.”
Nowadays, he said, “I love going into spaces and disrupting [them], and I disrupt [them] by listening. By me listening, people will automatically fill the space by what is in their mind and in their heart– you can get them to see their own ignorance by just letting them talk.”
“I’m helping people to understand their own ignorance and also protecting myself.”
Overall, Karamo said he practices empathy with all people and tries to understand where people come from by listening to their stories. “What I’ve learned [is that] our stories are more alike than you can ever imagine.”
“The more we are able to listen empathically to someone’s story, [the more] we all grow. Sharing your story is not only going to make you more powerful, but it’s going to make you more connected. Shared values and attitudes make us who we are and make us feel safe and secure and seen.”