November 16, 2008
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…the test of friendship…
On November 4th, our country beared witness to both a triumphant victory and a morally crushing defeat. As we stood on the threshold of history, prepared to embrace the fact that we, as a people and as a country, had progressed far enough to elect the first colored President of the United States, we still were unable to transcend the homophobia and hate that still pervades our hypocritical society. As elated as I was about Obama’s victory, I only wish that humanity could have shared in that same victory. CA Proposition 8 has torn this country apart. It has torn apart families, and for me personally, it has torn apart friendships…
In the process of reaching out to my conservative and religious friends to try to bridge the communication gap that has been created by this issue, I find myself becoming a broken record, asking the same questions of each person that has voted “yes” on 8. Yes, you’re certainly entitled to your beliefs and opinions, but how can you, as a friend, call yourself one when you were in effect denigrating me by voting “yes” on 8? How does this issue affect you? How does my ability to love and my right to marry infringe upon your rights, so much so that you would willingly and consciously vote to certify me as a lower-class citizen, to treat me as sub-human, with your vote. Is this what friendship is about? If it is, then I don’t know if our friendship is really worth fighting for…
How quickly we forget the pain and ugliness of discrimination that our parents, aunts, and uncles had to endure as people of color, people who were different from the status quo. They fought bravely so that we could enjoy the right to equality. How can you spit in their face, as well as mine, by destroying what they’ve fought for?
This issue is not about religion. It’s about equality.
Comments (4)
Very well put, Ty. One thing to remember is that during the discrimination previous generations endured, there were plenty of people who engaged in discriminatory behavior, who later came to see the light. Each of us has grown and evolved as we learn more about others and come to understand our common humanity. Even President-elect Obama talked about his maternal grandmother, the woman who he loved and who raised him, who displayed her own racism.
As hard as it is, don’t give up on those friends and family members who may not yet be won over to our cause. Your life, through your friendship with them, is a living example that demonstrates our side of the argument. If you cut that friendship, they will only hear the messages from the other side of the argument.
i love that monologue.
good point, but you also have to put yourself in their shoes and their train of thought. you want them to vote your way so does that mean it’s okay for them to want you to vote their way too? you say it’s your right to love but the line for rights (in different aspects as well) have to be drawn somewhere. how about the right to carry a gun in public? people need to feel safe. the right to marry a 15 year old? if it’s “true love”, why not? there will always be a difference in opinion but the love will still be there.
Hello Ty,
You made your site simple yet elegant. The videos and pictures are a nice touch. I see that you have a wide variety of interests and observations here!
I like to write articles about God and religion on my site to help people to really get to know God, especially in these troubled times. 13 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury.” (Ezekiel 13:13) (NIV)