« Who Are These People?! | »

Straight Folk: We Need to Step Up

InterracialImagine for a moment that initiatives in several states in the recent election prohibited interracial marriage and would ultimately result in the unions of interracial couples invalid. Outrage from every corner of the map would be swift and vehement.  How do otherwise fair-minded, rational people convince themselves, not only that they have an interest in depriving another group of their rights, but that it’s the right thing to do?

Tradition: Since the beginning of time, white-marries-white, black-marries-black, and so on. That’s the way it’s always been and that’s how it should stay.

Religion: God does not want people who are not of the same skin color to marry. It’s a sin and my church will be compelled to marry people of different races unless it’s illegal.

Morality: My personal morality code says that it is wrong for people of different races to get married, therefore, even though it has no direct impact on my life, I cannot allow something to exist that is contrary to my belief system.

Children: I don’t want my kids’ teachers telling them that interracial marriage is acceptable because they might marry someone from a different ethnic background when they grow up.

Discomfort: Just the thought of two people from different races getting married and having children makes my skin crawl.

Apathy: It has nothing to do with me so what do I care? I just won’t decide either way on this issue and stay out of it.

In the context of interracial marriage, these rationalizations and justifications seem absurd and backwards and based in ignorance and bigotry. It wasn’t all that long ago, however, that people of the same ilk as those against same-sex marriage (and probably some of the same people!) were having these very discussions with regard to laws that declared  interracial marriage illegal. We’ve come a long way. Or have we?

What made the difference in finally getting all those outrageously discriminatory interracial marriage laws off the books wasn’t solely the activism of the people at the direct affect of these laws, interracial couples, but the involvement of those who had no vested interest in the issue except for a strong sense of equality and justice.

On one hand I am ashamed and embarrassed that my group, straight people, continue to vote against allowing people of the same sex to marry (or, as in California, vote to strip fellow citizens of that right).  On the other hand, I am just as dumbfounded as any gay person by the bald-faced bigotry demonstrated by the people of  this “land of the free” who continue to allow fear, ignorance and prejudice to override their ability to do the right thing.

In the Age of Obama there can’t possibly be more straight people against equal rights for all than there are on my side of the fence. I have to believe that the problem here is more one of apathy than anything else and that’s why I now call upon my fellow straights to step-up. Start paying attention to issues of this sort, especially when a small group manages to manipulate large blocks of voters into believing that they must discriminate against others for their own well-being and that of their children. Don’t shut down your radar when the word “gay” appears because it’s not part of your reality. Don’t think that “they” can handle “their own” issues alone. They can’t, they need our help, so pay attention and make your voice heard.

The same-sex marriage issue isn’t going away. Right-wing Christians and Evangelicals often cited two issues during the presidential campaign for why they would vote for McCain (and, by extension, George Bush twice). Those two issues were abortion and gay marriage. So if you think this isn’t your issue, think back over the last 8 years, then think again.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 at 12:51 and is filed under Politics, Civil Rights, Blogroll. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

9 Responses to “Straight Folk: We Need to Step Up”

  1. jindal08 says:
    Saturday, November 8th, 2008 at 09:25

    Wow where to begin with this article.

    First off, it is disgusting how one can compare gay marriage to the plight of interracial couples in the early half of the 20th Century. Maybe this has escaped you but same-sex couples have the same rights as straight couples (i.e., tax breaks, inheritance, visitation, etc). The only difference: the state will not call it marriage.

    Prop 8 does not ban the relationship or the union, it only protects the institution. Thus, such a comparision is insulting to interracial couples and our intelligence.

    Not to mention gays have more rights then heterosexuals. Think about it, not only do they get all the rights of straights when it comes to relationships but they also have hate crime and affirmative action laws on their side. If I punch a gay guy its a hate crime, if he punches me its assualt.

    Two, this may be the age of Obama but you must have missed him saying that he does not support gay marriage at the 2nd debate. Now this could mean one of two things, your boy isn’t as progressive as you think or he just lied so not to alienate any middle voters. The latter fits with his carreer, so we’ll go that way but you have to admit that is pretty funny after reading your rant. Age of Obama, hahaha.

    Three, your bigotry and hatred of Christians blinds you to simple facts. Hello, blacks and hispanics are the ones that pushed this proposition through. Yes, they maybe liberal on economic issues but they, as a group, still believe in God and vote conservative on social-morality issues. Thus, your crys that this is somehow the fault of Christians is just you spewing hate speech because God for bid your left wing haven of LA vote in support of Prop. 8.

    And finally, you did state one thing correctly, this is the land of the free. Our socialist state which elects a far left assembly and senate each term, exercised its right to vote and did so. It used the democratic process to preserve marriage. We’ve allowed gays the same rights as straights but we want to keep our institution sacred.

    Yes marriage has become the punchline in many jokes but that does not mean we just give up on it. Some of us still believe in marriage. In fact 52% of us in California believe in marriage. Just because the institution has been under attack does not mean it will go quietly.

    Until there is proof that homosexuality is genetic (which would be hilarious since it flies in the face of evolution), then it is simply a lifestyle choice. A lifestyle choice which receives an overabundance of protection. I think their is bigger fish to fry then worrying if the state calls Bob and Jeff a married couple or domestic partners.

  2. Bill Swadley says:
    Sunday, November 9th, 2008 at 12:00

    Jindal08:
    “Age of Obama” is a reference to the fact that enough non-black people in this country were able to get beyond racial prejudice to put a black man in the White House, not a reference to the man himself.

    Bigots in the early 60’s tried that “separate-but-equal” argument to justify maintaining the Jim Crow laws that suppressed black people even after emancipation. You don’t need to be a lawyer to be familiar with this one, just review your 7th grade history. But it’s simply a waste of time trying to speak facts and history to someone who clearly understands neither.

    Even if there were any more than a shred of legitimacy presented here to support such actions as Prop. 8 and you were able to articulate them in any convincing way, your entire argument would be completely undermined by the fact that your knowledge of biological science is only slightly surpassed by Sarah Palin’s grasp of the U.S. Constitution and geography. These days, no one with any expertise in the subject, not even most thoughtful Christian leaders, make any attempt to espouse that age-old canard that homosexuality is a “lifestyle choice,” and that you think it has anything to do with evolution just further illustrates your lack of mental acuity.

    Thank you, though, for your comments. Since last Wednesday many of my friends and I have been scratching our heads and wondering about the people who voted “yes,” asking each other, “What were they thinking.” At least you’ve managed to provide the answer to that question: “Not much.

  3. jindal08 says:
    Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 at 12:01

    Seeing that I seem to be the only one with enough time to post comments on this blog, I will respond to your arguments. I understand that you are passionate about this issue and for that you should be commended. People being passionate about anything other than what Brittany fed her babies or the James Bond movie is refreshing. Nevertheless, I will number my points for convenience.

    1. Having only dabbled in US history myself, I still would argue that your knowledge of history seems a bit skewd or at the very least your understanding of analogous situations. I don’t see how you can compare not getting to relieve yourself or eat (hopefully not at the same time) where whites do the same as keeping marriage between a man and a woman.

    No one is saying gays can’t say they are married or reap the benefits of heterosexual marriage, what we are saying is the institution of marriage is not going to be pervaded by any type of marriage that is not man and woman. This goes beyond man and man and woman and woman. We’re talking man and women, man and beast, and any other combo you can thing of.

    Aren’t these all discriminatory? And as a fellow political junkie, I ask this only to see the justification of one and not another from someone so passionate about the gay marriage issue.

    2. I am no expert in biology but I would love to see the article confirming that homosexuality is completely genetic, like skin color or height or certain diseases.

    Moreover, I am confused by how homosexuality would fit into the evolutionary process. Seeing that you claim to know a lot about biology but only can seem come up with quips regarding Sarah Palin’s intelligence, I would still love to see some facts backing your explanation.

    3. You disregard all my points about democractic process and somehow jumped to the conclusion that because we don’t agree with you we are the ones that are flawed mentally. I mean God forbid anyone dissent.

    Here is what your side seems to forget, there is no widely accepted scientific evidence that says homosexuality is completely genetic. If there was it would be unconscionable for people to object then to gay marriage.
    Moreover, gays should take some responsibility for their negative image as well.

    Truly, here is your big shot to make a difference. If you can give me concrete information showing that homosexuality is genetic, I will make a $100 donation to the Gayrriage Foundation or whatever gay charity you want. I would argue that this is where most people stand

  4. jindal08 says:
    Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 at 12:12

    I accidentally hit post before I could proof read the last post but I finsh with this:

    Gays have contributed to their distaste. Though you may think the whole gay lifestyle is ok many people do not and rightfully so. We both know that mainstream gay culture is very sexually loose and quite often destructive to the participants. From unprotected sex to sex with multiple partners to drug use, the face of gay culture is, unfortunately, not Ellen but rather what you see at the Folsom Street fair in San Francisco or Pride in LA and San Diego.

    Though these are typically not the people who are looking to get married, this is the culture people do not want injected into their schools and societies. It cannot be ignored that the gay community, in many ways, does not help drum up empathy for their cause.

  5. Bill Swadley says:
    Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 at 12:35

    Jindal08:

    You answered yourself the reason I didn’t address your other points, “it would be unconscionable for people to object then to gay marriage,” you said, and I agree. If homosexuality is biological in nature, there are no other points to discuss. That said, even if it were a choice, I would still support the right of anyone to marry anyone else. Your religious dogma has nothing to do with the legal definition of marriage and, speaking of history, you do know that aside from interracial marriage being outlawed in many states, so was the right forbidden of slaves, right?

    If you simply Google “homosexuality nature” you’ll find lots to chew on. Even if it’s finally proven scientifically that homosexuality is biological, religious zealots will continue to claim that there’s not enough evidence just like they do with evolution.

    Note that I never claimed homosexuality was genetic, but biological, i.e. homosexuals can no better control their sexual proclivity than can heterosexuals. More to the point, it is definitely not a “lifestyle choice” as you put it and only people trying to promote publicly sanctioned bigotry believe that.

    If you don’t care to do any real research, why not check in with yourself? I don’t know about you, but I could never make the “choice” to be gay. That is, my biological nature is strictly heterosexual. I’ve never considered having sex with another man. How about you? If you think it’s a choice then are you saying that you have chosen to be straight? If so, does that mean you could choose to be gay? I couldn’t, because I would be compelled to have sex with men in that case and that’s not in my biological makeup. Is it in yours? It must be if you think anyone could chose one over the other. Keep your money, I think you may need it for therapy to uncover your own latent homosexuality.

    And drop the BS about gay people being loose and all that crap. In the 70’s when everyone was having sex with everyone else, especially straight people, no one was practicing safe sex and everyone was loose. The only thing that slowed it down back then was AIDS. Promiscuity in the straight world has mellowed since then for that reason, but it has everywhere. The only reason gay men are more promiscuous than anyone else is because no one is saying “no” (you know, that thing women do). I can’t speak about to what degree gays practice safe sex. How did you come by this information?

    -Bill

  6. Bill Swadley says:
    Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 at 10:23

    PS:

    “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” For a group who professes to follow what this guy said and how He lived, you people sure do throw a lot of stones.

    This article isn’t about gay rights, it’s about one group taking away the rights of another, so to the gay bad behavior you speak of, aside from its irrelevancy, I’m not crazy about the “face” of the Ku Klux Klan or Mormons, but they get to marry each other.

    So why do you get to decide? Who are you to judge? Are you the guy Jesus was certain wasn’t in that crowd who would have picked up a rock and hurled it at the whore’s head? Do you really follow His word or do you just pick and choose what works for you from His teachings that supports your skewed and angry view on this world and the people in it?

    And what’s in it for you? I mean you, personally. Don’t give me some misguided, right-wing talking points you’ve memorized about protecting children. What’s in it for you, Jindal08, regarding this specific issue my article is about?

    What does a 14-word alteration of our state constitution that changed nothing about how, what, or by who our children are taught do for you? Since those 14 words change nothing and affects no one except a small minority who are now legally oppressed in what used to be the most progressive state in the nation, what exactly did you gain?

  7. GeoB says:
    Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 at 12:26

    Okay…Seriously. I dont get it. Church and state are not one in the same for a reason. If they were one in the same, which church would rule? Catholics? Jews? Scientology? Would the conflicting relgions ban each other’s marriages because they dont fall into their sect?

    In the last week since prop 8 passed, I’ve spent time with friends (church going republicans and democrats alike). The Liberals are obviously outraged at the ignorance behind anyone and everyone who voted Yes on prop 8. Then I spoke with the republican friends. To my surprise they were upset as well. TRUE Americans, liberal or not, do NOT want to see rights taken away from anyone. The few people I’ve encountered who voted yes on 8 were fairly uneducated reciting the lies from the prop 8 commercials or from Texas.

    We’ve worked too hard and have made too many mistakes in our nation’s history to keep making more. Anyone who wants to argue that, seriously. Leave MY country. These are the true bigots. God, whichever one, if any, you believe in…doesnt like bigots. Why do you think they have so many natural disasters in middle america?

    Bottom line, I was raised catholic, VERY catholic. I have 4 nuns in my family. And like most families these days I have gay relatives, some who have married. The nuns are all very accepting, loving, and tolerant, as they should be. It’s called practicing what you preach.

    P.S. If we’re banning any other marriages, I vote retard marriage. We dont want them breeding.

  8. GeoB says:
    Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 at 12:26

    P.P.S. See how stupid that sounds?

  9. kilroyrogers says:
    Monday, January 12th, 2009 at 08:59

    Gawd, Jindal08 just doesn’t get it. Separate But Equal is apartheid. Is he advocating apartheid? The rights issue of gay marriage is a human rights struggle, a struggle for legitimacy and recognition. Of human dignity. Remember, marriage is a contract. It is also a sacred bond if you are in fact religious. Fact is, African Americans dropped the ball on this one. For shame. The younger generations get it and this will be an evolved non-issue soon. Jindal, deal with it. Get on board the Freedom Train.

    By the way, that Mormons-with their own peculiar take on marriage and just about everything else-should be the last to throw stones.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.