measi's Diaryland Diary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equality Something changed in the USA at midnight-- did you notice? Probably not, although if you've been watching the domestic news in the last few months, there were opponents to the change who swore that today's landmark would destroy marriage entirely. Uh-huh. In any case, I'm a resident of the first state in the USA who finally recognized the right for gay marriage. Freedom requires equality, and despite the bullshit claims that the justices overstepped their bounds in creating law (no... they were upholding the right for all citizens to be treated equally, folks), Massachusetts has stepped up to the plate to begin recognizing one of the inequalities in our society. I feel very proud and honored to be living here today. How often do we have times in our lives that we can say "Yes, I was there." All of those events in our history books where GOOD things are marked? I'm now physically sitting in the middle of one. (Pardon me if I'm a bit of a history nut here-- I actually liked reading my history books in school). Not to say that this is over by any stretch. If anything, the right to marry here in Massachusetts will undoubtedly backfire against the work for equal rights elsewhere in the nation. It already has-- how many states have rushed through legislation to define marriage between a man and a woman in the last few months (notice how they actually CAN put legislation through quickly if they really want to do any work?!?). It will be a long battle-- one that realistically will never be completely won. Look at another case that marks its 50th anniversary today-- Brown vs. the Board of Education. While we've made strides in improving the equality of education in this nation, it's nowhere near complete, either. Ironically, the inequality is more than apparent within Boston, where the homosexual couples' right to marry was decided. Only about 14 or 15 percent of Boston's public school students are white. Most are shipped to charter schools, private schools, or their parents have literally moved out into the suburbs. Boston had violent protests in the 1970's over integrating its schools. But the reality is that we have no right as a nation to claim that we celebrate freedom and equality unless the same laws are applied and upheld to all citizens. America is not a nation of equality. It's a nation of "My rights are sacred, but those who are different should not apply." Take Bob Barr's comments as an example-- (read through, notice his slipping in of an agenda in the second to last paragraph). The world doesn't get worse as more people are treated equal, folks-- it makes us stronger and more united. Differences should be celebrated, not feared or demonized. If only it were that simple... *sigh* Blessings to those who are going to request licenses today-- may your marriages be long, fruitful, and fulfilling ones. ~ Mel.
10:17 a.m. - 17 May 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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