Fight For Civil Rights in 2008
As I stood on the street at a Prop 8 protest among others feeling sad and angry, I wondered why, in 2008, we have to begin yet another civil rights movement.
It's ironic that in a year we elect an African American president we are still yelling on the streets about injustices. We are angry because our civil rights have just been violated, civil rights that were hard won, six months ago were taken a way in one night.
Civil rights are rights for our civilization. Every American should have the same rights from birth. Actually isn't that what they teach us in school, in government class? That "all men are created equal"? And yet in history class, we learn that every group has had to fight for the rights that we are supposed to be born with. Hatred and
bigotry have raged rampant in the United State since its founding.
Indians lost their land and were forced to live on reservations. Blacks built up the
country under slavery. Japanese were
segregated because of fear during World War II. Women fought for the right to vote and still fight for equality. All of these groups, and more, have had to fight for equality and continue to do so.
It seems as though this country is built
on fighting for rights instead of being
born with them. "All men are created equal" should mean just that. We should never be
allowed to vote on other's civil rights.
They are supposed to be inalienable.
We shouldn't be allowed to intervene with them. My pursuit of happiness is a rough road because I don't have the same rights as everyone else. Why is this? We are supposed to be protected as Americans. With this promise of the pursuit of happiness why would I have to fight for mine? The sheer act
of fighting for rights seems ridiculous
at this time in our country.
Civil rights give America its foundation. When foundations are broken, people suffer. When people suffer, society suffers and diverges. The very unique attribute about gay
people is that we cross every line in the human race: gender, race, religion, economic status, etc. There are gay people in every minority group, yet these groups turn a disparaging blind eye to the LGBT community.
You would think that because of their own struggles, they would be more compassionate to our struggle. Instead they use this as
an opportunity to tell gay people how they should live. It hurts to see these battle-scarred groups blatantly choose not to support their gay family, friends and children. If all minority groups got together they would become a majority.
Instead we stay divided.
People need to take heed. When religious groups want to change "moral values" and make others live by them, whom are they targeting? Who will they target next? In Arkansas their tentacles of control have spilled into mainstream society. At first glance it seems a gay issue... but look closely.
The state passed a law that makes it impossible to adopt or foster children if a couple is not married. Does this apply only to gay people? No. It applies to anyone who chooses to live together without a marriage certificate even single individuals. Kind, generous people are not allowed to help children who are less fortunate or sickly because it's not "moral."
Be careful when you vote to suppress the rights of others. You may be next, and you may need the same support that the LGBT community is looking for right now; the need for our civil rights to be restored and preserved.