. . . . actually . . . go ahead. Weep away. Cry that a country whose founding fathers "hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal" over two hundred and thirty years ago still doesn't offer full equality to it's gay and lesbian citizens while you, Argentina, which was under the sway of various dictators only decades ago has granted marriage equality to all citizens. Quite the turn around there.
It's definitely a thought worth shedding some tears over.
You remember when we thought of ourselves as the country that was leading the world in progress socially, economically, technologically, and democratically? It wasn't really that long ago, was it?
How in the heck did we find ourselves behind the curve on ALL fronts? And how do we make things better?
My mind wanders to a bumper sticker I saw on a truck this morning. It said "If you don't like America, then GET OUT!" I spent the drive thinking about that sentiment. That's our problem. We've become a country of people who can't agree to disagree anymore. We've become a country of people who think that "my way" is the only way to be. When in the hell did the "Great American Melting Pot" become so sharply divided into its ingredients?
That kind of thinking will be the death of our great nation. No, I don't like everything about our country, but I understand that it's my duty as a citizen to voice my dissent on issues. It's my duty to elect the people who's ideas most match mine so that they can enact change, so that our great nation can evolve and grow. It's not my place to "get out" when I'm dissatisfied.
That truck had other bumper stickers as well. Some real classics: "I own a gun and I vote"; "McCain/Palin"; and "True American Patriot".
Here's my question: (aside from wondering if this person is planning on taking his gun to shoot at the voting machine, of course) wouldn't a real patriot welcome open discussion of controversial issues with a person of opposing views? Isn't that what we DO? Isn't that what "makes America great"? That's what I was taught.
Oh, and for the record. I'm a gay liberal who wants desperately to marry his husband. But I also own a gun, and vote.
Maybe I'm reading too much into bumper stickers on a truck, but it seems to me things like that are in indicator of major issues that we have to overcome in our great country. We have to learn to disagree with each other peacefully again, or we're doomed. Progress comes out of dissent; not from wearing blinders and refusing to see the other perspective.
In the meantime, I'm going to go listen to the original cast album of "Evita" and raise a glass to the good people of Argentina. They have made true progress toward full equality, and I envy them.
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The insane and violent rhetoric that dominates the Tea Party/Republican party, and that the Democratic Party refuses to shout down, really is scary stuff. These are dangerous times, and I'm afraid the outcome is going to be bloody before it gets better.
ReplyDeleteStill, kudos to you, Argentina, for being more humane and fair than the United States of America!
Of many factors, one that I don't understand at all is why the Roman Catholic church doesn't raise a huge uproar in Argentina?
ReplyDeleteThat faction alone is responsible for much of the resistance, deliberately provocative information and hate mongering that is present in today's American society when it comes to "matters Gay."
As each country increases its tolerance and raises the bar for diversity, America seems less and less progressive, less the great world leader it's purported to be.
Until I can marry my wife, and have her be my lawfully wedded spouse in every state in the union, then this country remains less the country that provides equality for all and more the country that gives lie to its own constitution.
E/DVC~OKW~96
"Until I can marry my wife, and have her be my lawfully wedded spouse in every state in the union, then this country remains less the country that provides equality for all and more the country that gives lie to its own constitution."
ReplyDeleteThat was beautifully put!
If you haven't already, check out Father Geoff Farrow's blog. http://fathergeofffarrow.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-it-all-began.html
Father Geoff is a priest who refused to support Prop 8 in his sermons in California. Instead he spoke out against it. He was fired from the priesthood, and has since come out of the closet and become an activist. He is very insightful and informative. As a former Catholic, I really really wish there were more like him.
My father (a man of fiercely defended opinions) once told me to be wary of anyone willing to put a bumper sticker stating their beliefs on their car, even if those beliefs coincide with your own. His theory was that there was something off about the logic of someone who believed in something so much that they were willing to deface and devalue their property for it, and that it's hard to have a reasonable debate with someone who's already warned you (although probably not intentionally) that they have a screw loose. I agree that as Americans we should stand up and demand change when faced with separation and injustice. That said, I believe that I am fortunate to live in a country that provides for so many of my basic human rights; a country that was built on a government that provides for that change. I say congratulations to Argentina! And I say have faith to America. Our day is coming. And until that day I will continue to be a gun carrying, Christian, gay, republican, female, cop. There are still many countries where the only one of those things I could openly be is female, and even that is a punishable offense. I look forward to a day of total equality, but until that day my America glass is half full.
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