The article critiques the 1980s, highlighting a time of severe conformity masked by vibrant fashion and music. It explores the dominance of the Moral Majority under Reagan, which stifled activism and social justice movements. As conservative ideologies took hold, traditional protests diminished, resulting in a backlash against previously gained civil rights. The author reflects on personal experiences growing up as an out gay Arab in a climate characterized by intolerance and economic decline, revealing a conflict between emerging conservative values and the remaining cries for justice and inclusivity from marginalized communities.
In truth, the '80s marked a suffocatingly conformative era where publicly defiant actions were suppressed, as the Moral Majority ascended under Reagan's reign.
Growing up as a femme-y, out gay Arab boy during Reagan's presidency was a shocking experience as societal values hardened and marginalized voices became silenced.
The decade's mainstream vibe glorified Wall Street greed while aggressive homophobia, racism, and sexism obstructed any meaningful campaign for social justice.
The backlash against the advancements of the '60s and '70s created a toxic climate, with AIDS left unchecked, and anti-LGBT rhetoric prevalent in media.
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