Proposition 8 was the bill voted on by California voters over gay marriage. The bill, if passed, would ban gay marriage and nullify over 18,000 marriages in the state. The campaign for the bill turned nasty. Both sides raised over $35 million, the most ever for a single issue bill. In the end, about 52% of the population voted for Proposition 8, thus taking away the rights of gays in California.
What shocked me the most was which group was most responsible for the bill being passed. Was is the Whites? Nope. Latinos? Nope. The Religious community? Nope. They all voted about 50/50 on the bill. In fact, almost every group voted 50/50, except for African Americans. Over 70% of African Americans voted for the bill, thus swinging the pendulum against gay rights.
I find it awfully Ironic that just 40-50 years ago, the blacks were struggling for rights in America. They had to use separate facilities, restaurants, schools, and bathrooms. They were second class citizens. âSeparate but Equalâ was the slogan to justify this racist and nasty system. It took the African American community over 100 years to tear down these walls and be granted equality. Slowly, but surely, racism is dying in America. All races are free to be in the same places as Whites. Any person of any race, color, ethnicity, background, or religion can marry whomever they want. Because of heroes like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, W.E.B. Du Bois, and thousands of others, minority groups have gained freedom.
Now, gays are fighting the same struggle. Millions of gays around the United States are not allowed to marry the person they love. They are treated like second class citizens. They have to worry about constant threats of violence, isolation of friends and family, and condemnation of religious groups. With the state of things, the gays might as well be labeled âSeparate but Equal.â
One would think that African Americans would sympathize with the gay rights movement. Both have been held back due to genetics. Both have been oppressed. Both have suffered violence, brutality, murder, and hatred. Yet it is now the African Americans who are shooting down gay rights.
African Americans who were interviewed on the topic were seen wearing âObamaâ shirts, hats, or other gear. They supported Obama all the way. Yet when it came to gay rights, a supposed Liberal issue, they were violently opposed. Many interviewees were getting upset at the slightest thought of allowing gays to marry. When asked the difference between the Civil Rights Movement and the Gay Rights Movement, they usually responded with something like, âItâs just differentâ or âItâs not natural.â 50 years ago, it was ânot naturalâ for blacks to have rights in America. So how are gay rights any different?
There is no logic, justification, or sense in voting for Proposition 8, especially in the African American community. They went through the same oppression, and are now the oppressors. I am assuming I will be labeled a racist for writing this. That is okay. I am not a racist. I just seek the truth in the issues. And the truth is that the people who were formerly oppressed, are now the oppressors.
(NOTE: I know not all African-Americanâs voted for proposition 8, so don't think I'm blaming the entire group. I am only blaming those who voted for the bill. I also know that everyone who voted for the bill is to blame for the intolerance. But this is just to point out the hypocrisy on the African American vote).
I had to read the above statement three times to understand it. I admit "labeled" was the wrong thing to say now that I think about it. Now on topic: My personal opinion is that just because someone is part of some minority doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to adopt any kids. Imagine what would happen if someone said black people shouldn't be allowed to adopt white children.
Well actually Lynoth, that happens alot. Most blacks don't want to raise a white kid because of the prejudice that their culture will give them. The fact is i dont feel that homo's shouldn't get the right to adopt, just the fact that their kids will in fact be bullied. You may say no they won't because you haven't seen it happen, but take a look at today's society. The stupid bible thumpers would be laughing, and yelling at the poor kid because his parents supposedly aren't able to properly raise a kid (in their veiws at least). Yes it's one example, but through out your life how many times has someone called you gay as an insult. Its to be funny, and as an insult because of something u may have done to them, or just for jokes. You aren't gay thow, they just use it as a burn. Its that common prejudice against gay's that inflicts this world. Hearing kids say that could deeply insult that child of whoms parents are homo's...
Most blacks don't want to raise a white kid because of the prejudice that their culture will give them. The fact is i dont feel that homo's shouldn't get the right to adopt, just the fact that their kids will in fact be bullied
You realise that the implication of these two statements put together is that you feel that "blacks should not have the right to raise white children"?
Regardless of whether one wishes to or not, it is a slight to human autonomy and therefore dignity to withold the right to make that decision. Much as I feel that certain people or even groups of people make poor judgments when managing their lives and risk factors, ultimately it is the font of social justice to at least give credit for the ability to make a decision. Paternalism is an era long gone, and these days such forms of discrimination are seen as merely arrogant and patronising.
Furthermore, using such a measure will not avert displays of discrimination, it will only reinforce it and perpetuate this unsatisfactory status quo. All things considered, your sentiment is a counterproductive one.
...ultimately it is the font of social justice to at least give credit for the ability to make a decision...
Think about this hard. It works both ways- not only are you empowering a person to make that decision, but they can therefore be held accountable for such.
uh guy... u coulda put all of that into one statement... And ur telling the same story. Im sry u got beat, and i cant say i understand that feeling. I can say that having gay parents is a common reason for kids to beat u up. The fact is kids these days hate anything thats not in their trend, or style, or norm.... They feel all else is sub euquals to them, therefore they should get beat. Having gay parents does just that. But again isn't this the way blacks were treated??? why the f'ck didnt u guys vote towards gay marriages you hippocrits!!!!
yup, I got banned again, for the 300,000th time. And I explained it already, you cant talk about what happened to blacks because you have no idea what it was like, as you are white- you never went through that, your ancestors didnt, in fact, your ancestors probably beat them and kept them as slaves.
