About an hour ago I shook hands with one of the original Freedom Riders, Ben Cox. He gave a speech at my college that was just so inspiring. It was kind of sad because 90% of the people in there were total ignoring anything being said, bored really, because they had to be there in order to get credit for a class. I thought it was wonderful. The author of the book Freedom Riders, Dr. Ray Arsenault, also came and spoke. He told his story and about how the US is such a wonderful country because there is so much freedom in it today.
That got me to thinking…
Even though segregation isn’t so much of a problem in the US today, there is a lot of discrimination against gays. It really sickened me how so many of the people running for president this year use the “turn your head” approach to discrimination against gays. They act as if, if they don’t see it, then it isn’t a pressing problem. But it is a problem! My sister is gay and had a really hard time with my family when she came out. My family literally outcast her for a little while. It is sad to think that one day, when she finds the person that she wants to spend the rest of her life with, she will not be able to get married to her while living in Georgia, or other states, and that they will always be outcast. I believe the gays should be able to get married just like heterosexual couples. Many of my friends are gay and many of them are very passionate and true in their relationships.
I want to bring more freedom to the homosexual community. I’m just not sure how to. I am going to look into it.
On another note, if freedom is what I am goaling for, then doesn’t that bring up the issue of freedom for drug use? It’s not at all the same thing but when you really think about it….
Quinn and Tj are going to visit my grandparents who are against homosexuality (strongly!) and I told my sister she was stupid for doing that because my grandfather was just going to make them feel like shit and they were going to regret it. But I got to thinking about it later and maybe they should go. Here I am talking about bringing freedom to homosexuals but I am telling my sister to hide her face from those who disagree with it.
This is a photo from a portfolio done on homosexuals. I love this photo.
January 16, 2008 at 3:27 am
It’s one of those issues that has so much perspective to it, that there’s no real way to find a right or wrong answer, or to compromise. “Marriage”, according to the religious fundamentalists who are so adamantly against homosexual coupling, is a Church institution, and should therefore follow the Church’s definition. You can get married by the government, by a judge, yes–but according to the fundamentalists, that’s not the right implementation. Marriage has ALWAYS been a Church institution.
What pains me about it is that yes, it was a religious institution, but things CHANGE. Most people don’t take multiple spouses anymore. Women and men have been given equal status and standing in the eyes of law. Most people don’t follow Leviticus, and they eat pork and rabbit without a second thought.
So how do you win that argument? You don’t. Religious fundamentalists will fight to the end to maintain control over that word. The only way to appease them is by finding a different sort of union for homosexuals–but it’s not the same to say you’re in a “civil union” now, is it?
I don’t know how this will turn out. It’s so depressing to think about because it’s such a hopeless situation. In this case, you really can’t change things one person at a time. Some people will refuse to budge. And then we’ll never get anywhere.
January 21, 2009 at 4:12 am
I am the second son of Freedom rider, Ben Elton Cox. I appreciate your kind words about his speach.
January 23, 2009 at 1:49 am
Oh my goodness…thank you! I think that what Ben Elton Cox and the rest of the freedom riders did is very self-sacrificing and inspiring. I hope that one day I will do something that might make a different like they did. Thank you