Normally I wouldn't care for the issue of gay marriage. Then again, I don't care for marriage. But when rights are taken away from a marginalized people(s), I can't totally turn a deaf ear and blind eye to this.
However, this sends a slightly chilling message and perhaps re-energizes those on the front lines of the LGBT movement.
What's being posted is an editorial that was sent via email (no link other than an email). Hopefully this isn't a violation.
If you don't have the stomach or open min to read or comment on it, don't. But I can say this, it's throught-provoking to say the least.
SCARED STRAIGHT INTO VOTING FOR 8: Are African Americans the most homophobic people in America?
African American voters in California voted overwhelmingly for Prop 8, writing anti-gay discrimination into California’s constitution and banning same-sex marriage.
Seventy percent (70%) of African American voters approved Prop 8, according to exit polls, compared to 53% of Latino voters, 49% of white voters, 49% of Asian voters.
How is it that one of California's smallest minorities (6%) and arguably the most discriminated group in America, "African American" people, would vote to legally descriminate against anyone knowing what we as a people have gone through in this country?
It is amazing how the oppressed become the oppressors.
I think that Black people are afraid. As a matter of fact, I believe that black people are the most fearful group in American history. Our ancestors were conditioned by the slavemaster to be afraid. Christianity was twisted and distorted and used to enslave our ancestors and culture of fear that has been handed down through the generations.
Afraid that if we don't walk right, talk right, dress right, have sex right or vote right, we will go to straight to hell.
Black churches have adopted the same practices handed down from our slave handlers using the bible as a way to keep up us in check and to whip us into submission.
Another manifestation of our fear is self loathing. We see it in statistics about our health, black on black crime, prison incarceration rates and substance abuse. As a people, many of us are simply embarassed. Black people will do whatever it takes to prevent any additional strikes against us. We will even deny others their rights if we believe our chances of getting into heaven will increase.
I truly believe that if civil rights for groups (other than heterosexual black people) were left up to the black majority, there would be a new form of legalized slavery in America, a new inquisition, a powerful campaign of hate.
And although the Mormon Church (white folks) played a huge role in raising the money to ensure the success of Prop 8, many black churches in California jumped right on the band wagon by encouraging their members to Vote Yes on the measure.
When Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech in Grant Park, he made it clear that America is a multi-fabric cloth the includes gay people. And that their is no room in a progressive America for discrimination of any kind. He was clear that anyone who is against this vision of equality for all is indeed against the ideals that will make America better.
I urge people regardless of your orientation to go out and support your brothers and sisters who are "gay". They are marching today at 5:30 in San Francisco at City Hall and you have seen them in the streets of Los Angeles. Join them.
The concepts espoused by Barack Obama, Martin Luther King and Malcom X are not just for black people, they were for all people seeking equality.
Gay and lesbian people in America will have equal rights and it will happen in my lifetime.
Joe Hawkins
Oakland California
However, this sends a slightly chilling message and perhaps re-energizes those on the front lines of the LGBT movement.
What's being posted is an editorial that was sent via email (no link other than an email). Hopefully this isn't a violation.
If you don't have the stomach or open min to read or comment on it, don't. But I can say this, it's throught-provoking to say the least.
SCARED STRAIGHT INTO VOTING FOR 8: Are African Americans the most homophobic people in America?
African American voters in California voted overwhelmingly for Prop 8, writing anti-gay discrimination into California’s constitution and banning same-sex marriage.
Seventy percent (70%) of African American voters approved Prop 8, according to exit polls, compared to 53% of Latino voters, 49% of white voters, 49% of Asian voters.
How is it that one of California's smallest minorities (6%) and arguably the most discriminated group in America, "African American" people, would vote to legally descriminate against anyone knowing what we as a people have gone through in this country?
It is amazing how the oppressed become the oppressors.
I think that Black people are afraid. As a matter of fact, I believe that black people are the most fearful group in American history. Our ancestors were conditioned by the slavemaster to be afraid. Christianity was twisted and distorted and used to enslave our ancestors and culture of fear that has been handed down through the generations.
Afraid that if we don't walk right, talk right, dress right, have sex right or vote right, we will go to straight to hell.
Black churches have adopted the same practices handed down from our slave handlers using the bible as a way to keep up us in check and to whip us into submission.
Another manifestation of our fear is self loathing. We see it in statistics about our health, black on black crime, prison incarceration rates and substance abuse. As a people, many of us are simply embarassed. Black people will do whatever it takes to prevent any additional strikes against us. We will even deny others their rights if we believe our chances of getting into heaven will increase.
I truly believe that if civil rights for groups (other than heterosexual black people) were left up to the black majority, there would be a new form of legalized slavery in America, a new inquisition, a powerful campaign of hate.
And although the Mormon Church (white folks) played a huge role in raising the money to ensure the success of Prop 8, many black churches in California jumped right on the band wagon by encouraging their members to Vote Yes on the measure.
When Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech in Grant Park, he made it clear that America is a multi-fabric cloth the includes gay people. And that their is no room in a progressive America for discrimination of any kind. He was clear that anyone who is against this vision of equality for all is indeed against the ideals that will make America better.
I urge people regardless of your orientation to go out and support your brothers and sisters who are "gay". They are marching today at 5:30 in San Francisco at City Hall and you have seen them in the streets of Los Angeles. Join them.
The concepts espoused by Barack Obama, Martin Luther King and Malcom X are not just for black people, they were for all people seeking equality.
Gay and lesbian people in America will have equal rights and it will happen in my lifetime.
Joe Hawkins
Oakland California
