Admitting Ugly Truths
Posted 05-16-2012 at 11:50 AM by Grandma Bates
Updated 05-16-2012 at 12:43 PM by Grandma Bates (singulars not matching plurals.)
Updated 05-16-2012 at 12:43 PM by Grandma Bates (singulars not matching plurals.)
I just heard this on the radio this morning and wanted to share it:
Ick: Perspectives | KQED Public Media for Northern CA
There has been a lot of news lately about achieving parity with respect to the rights of homosexuals in American society. There is so much about this fight that I do not understand. Even the binary nature of the terminology is confusing. Mostly, though, I do not understand why it needs to be fought. There is far too much ugliness thrown at people whose sexual orientation or even gender expression do not fit the "accepted norms," and the overall response seems too reasoned and lacks the passion necessary to see positive change happen soon.
The first responses that brought on wider acknowledgment of the problem first started in a nightclub almost 45 years ago. Much has changed, but too many of the circumstances and laws that caused those tensions remain. There has been a slow march to deal with this peacefully with continued calls for reason and understanding.
Sadly, far too many people will not heed the call to reason until the ugliness and sheer stupidity of their views are thrown in their face.
The patience and determination that has been shown has been staggering, and I know that I have seen only a small part of it. No other "small group" in America has connections to every other part of society. This diversity makes it difficult for any sort of sense of unity. The angry accusations that go back and forth around the "Log Cabin Republicans" give a small glimpse into this.
My mother-in-law lives in North Carolina. I have no doubt that she was in favor of the recent amendment and likely voted for it. However, when I spoke to her about it, she would not say how she felt about it one way or the other. My impression is that she knew she was on the wrong side but sat there regardless. Where there is no logic or reason there is no dialog and no search for understanding.
I could only think that waiting for her and my generation to move on is not enough. Little will change by waiting, and the issue must be forced.
Ick: Perspectives | KQED Public Media for Northern CA
There has been a lot of news lately about achieving parity with respect to the rights of homosexuals in American society. There is so much about this fight that I do not understand. Even the binary nature of the terminology is confusing. Mostly, though, I do not understand why it needs to be fought. There is far too much ugliness thrown at people whose sexual orientation or even gender expression do not fit the "accepted norms," and the overall response seems too reasoned and lacks the passion necessary to see positive change happen soon.
The first responses that brought on wider acknowledgment of the problem first started in a nightclub almost 45 years ago. Much has changed, but too many of the circumstances and laws that caused those tensions remain. There has been a slow march to deal with this peacefully with continued calls for reason and understanding.
Sadly, far too many people will not heed the call to reason until the ugliness and sheer stupidity of their views are thrown in their face.
The patience and determination that has been shown has been staggering, and I know that I have seen only a small part of it. No other "small group" in America has connections to every other part of society. This diversity makes it difficult for any sort of sense of unity. The angry accusations that go back and forth around the "Log Cabin Republicans" give a small glimpse into this.
My mother-in-law lives in North Carolina. I have no doubt that she was in favor of the recent amendment and likely voted for it. However, when I spoke to her about it, she would not say how she felt about it one way or the other. My impression is that she knew she was on the wrong side but sat there regardless. Where there is no logic or reason there is no dialog and no search for understanding.
I could only think that waiting for her and my generation to move on is not enough. Little will change by waiting, and the issue must be forced.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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Waiting for change didn't work for Black people. They had to stand up and (peacefully) fight to get rights. I don't think any minority group has gotten equal rights by waiting.
I do fear that another Stonewall Rebellion would have a negative effect, though. I wonder if there needs to be persistent peaceful protesting-similar to the Civil Right movement for Blacks.
I know I am on the outside looking in, so...Posted 05-19-2012 at 11:35 AM by Aliselia Aeon
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Sadly, agitation seems to be the only way for some people to understand that there even is a problem. What I find so frustrating is that a fight for equality is a fight that impacts everybody and not just a few people in some "other group." The amendment that was passed in North Carolina is a good example. That amendment impacts everybody, but it is portrayed as something that targets one group of people.Posted 05-20-2012 at 06:53 AM by Grandma Bates - Yes.Posted 05-20-2012 at 09:13 PM by Aliselia Aeon
