March 26, 2013
Love and Equality. Simple enough right?
It is 2013 for goodness sakes. And it deeply saddens me that we are battling our battle that seems to have been fought years ago. Have we really changed as a society?
President Obama signed five proclamations to honor and designate the Harriet Tubman monument to preserve the legacy of an American hero, for someone who rescued and led people out of slavery through the underground railroads.
We celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a few weeks ago to commemorate the leader of the Civil Rights Movement in his nonviolent approach, tactics and measures.
We recognize the great civil rights activist Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat for a white passenger; standing up for non-segretation.
This past year alone we have witnessed the incomprehensible large number of our youth killed due to gun violence, bullying and hate crimes.
Have we really not evolved as a society???
I know this has been THE today as the Supreme Court continues to hear arguments about the Defense of Marriage Act and the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage. And I can't help but think about the extreme broader picture that this issue surfaces. It isn't just about rights for gay marriage. It isn't just about equality.
If you think about our society as a whole, lets consider some of the most tragic events of the last few years. Most have been ignited by hate, whether it was hatred and bullying in a school setting, hate crimes based on the color of someone's skin, or hate and bullying because of traditional ways of thinking that our ancestors fought so bravely for.
If we limit and ban an issue like equality for gay marriage, what's next? Has anyone really considered the detrimental outcomes of what could be if we start banning ideals, and beliefs whats next for us? We live in 2013. It isn't a far fetched idea that we live among a diverse group of individuals.
Isn't that the beauty of an evolving community, culture and society? Norms change, trends change, but shouldn't they be changing for the better of humanity?
It is mind boggling that we allow dictatorship with it comes to who we choose to love, have a family with and who shares of benefits and who we can and cannot claim as dependents when filing taxes or purchasing a new home.
People are people, people need and want the same basic foundation of love in their partnership. Who's to say what is allowed and "approved" by state to recognize that basic human need??
Growing up you always hear about how great and what a melting pot of people come live in the United States. You read and learn and talk to people who have struggled most of their lives fighting for what they believe is true to them. I've always known that one of the greatest things about "living the dream" in America was the uniqueness and the amount of freedom we are given to really express who we are without judgement, because there's always ALWAYS someone else who will understand and believe and respect that part of you.
Now I can't be so sure. No one, NO ONE person should ever be told who they can and cannot love and who will and will not be recognized for it. It's a basic human need why, put boundaries and conditions on that for anyone?
So, after my long rant, I desperately ask that you research, read, understand and not sit quietly, let your voices be heard- we live in a socially media bound and run world. Do your part, and say what you need to say, speak out for what isn't right. Do something! Say Something! Figure out what you believe in!
I leave you with Emile Sande's song "Hope" lyrics..
I hope that the world stops rainingStops turning it's back on the youngSee nobody here is blamelessI hope that we can fix all that we've doneI really hope Martin can see thisI hope that we still have a dreamI'm hoping that change isn't hopelessI'm hoping to start it with meI just hope I'm not the only oneI just hope I'm not the only one
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