Let me see if I have this straight. Steve Jobs, may he rest in peace, created overpriced toys for adults who have a cornucopia of everything, and his untimely death is greeted by banner headlines, breaking news updates, a massive amount of media attention, social media websites filled with expressions of grief, and mourning usually set aside for an elder statesman or revered religious leader.
Meanwhile, Rev. Fred J. Shuttlesworth, a civil rights icon, who was bombed, beaten, repeatedly arrested, and hailed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., passed away Wednesday, and his death barely registers a blip in the media, on the Internet, or in the blogospere.
Rev. Shuttlesworth Biography
What does that say about who we in America consider to be heroes? What does this say about our priorities in this country? While I agree that Mr. Jobs was a brilliant, innovated, upstanding, and passionate man; does he warrant more accolades than a man who put his life on the line on a day to day, hour to hour, basis to fight for African American equality? I think not, and I think it speaks volumes about how shallow, historically ignorant, self-centered, and self-absorbed American society really is.
RIP, Rev. Shuttlesworth. You are in a far better place now, and your legacy will live on forever.
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
Showing posts with label Civil Rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Civil Rights. Show all posts
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Gay Teen Provoked His Own Murder????
You know what I don't understand? I don't understand why well known anti-gay activist, Randy Thomasson of Save California, recently suggested that a teenage homosexual, who was murdered by a classmate, provoked his own killing. No, I am not making this up. I wish I were, but I am not.
First, some background on the case, fifteen year old, Lawrence "Larry" King was openly gay and also a cross dresser. He was very flamboyant and thought nothing of chasing others boys around the school. He relished the attention that his being out and his appearance brought him. After making his interest in another boy obvious and public, the other boy shot King in the head twice in a computer lab at the school. King died from brain injuries two days later.
Folks, there is a lot going on with this story, both positive and negative. A young man being brave enough to be who he is. Some teachers and students who support King. An assistant principal who may have used King to advance her own agenda. Many, many students who bullied and harassed King. A city where the gay community is almost non-existent. The fact that King was very provocative and sexually suggestive with his male classmates. The behavior of a lot of people involved in this case is questionable.
Young, Gay, and Murdered
That being established, however.................................
Does any of King's behavior justify his being gunned down in cold blood by another middle schooler? Seriously, ladies and gentlemen, think about this. Even if King were parading himself about in front of his killer while telling the young man "You know you want me", does that justify cold blooded murder?
Thomasson certainly seems to think so.
Gay Teen Brought On His Own Murder
The audio clip in the above link is beyond repugnant. The killer was being "harassed", so it is understandable that he would pump a couple of bullets into King's brain. "Bad teachers" supported King to promote the "homosexual agenda". (On a side note, I have been asking for years what the "homosexual agenda" is, but I have yet to receive an answer that wasn't an illogical homophobic rant.) Allowing King to dress in female clothing caused "sexual tension". Allowing students to express themselves through their dress is "social engineering". Anti-bullying statues that include gays are "indoctrination".
This "gentleman" (and I use the term VERY loosely) is reprehensible. His anti-gay bigotry is sickening. His attempt to justify murder is stomach churning.
The killer in this case also had some serious mitigating circumstances in his life. These must be considered in court, but to suggest that King's homosexuality, cross dressing, and behavior legitimize his murder is abominable!
Quite frankly, friends, I would like to see this fanatic be forced to sit and listen to first hand accounts from gays and lesbians about the bigotry and prejudicial treatment that they endure on a day to day, hour to hour, basis. Maybe then, he could remove his cranium from his anus and realize that homophobia is criminal and that gays deserve the same rights, respect, and dignity as everyone else.
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
First, some background on the case, fifteen year old, Lawrence "Larry" King was openly gay and also a cross dresser. He was very flamboyant and thought nothing of chasing others boys around the school. He relished the attention that his being out and his appearance brought him. After making his interest in another boy obvious and public, the other boy shot King in the head twice in a computer lab at the school. King died from brain injuries two days later.
Folks, there is a lot going on with this story, both positive and negative. A young man being brave enough to be who he is. Some teachers and students who support King. An assistant principal who may have used King to advance her own agenda. Many, many students who bullied and harassed King. A city where the gay community is almost non-existent. The fact that King was very provocative and sexually suggestive with his male classmates. The behavior of a lot of people involved in this case is questionable.
Young, Gay, and Murdered
That being established, however.................................
Does any of King's behavior justify his being gunned down in cold blood by another middle schooler? Seriously, ladies and gentlemen, think about this. Even if King were parading himself about in front of his killer while telling the young man "You know you want me", does that justify cold blooded murder?
Thomasson certainly seems to think so.
Gay Teen Brought On His Own Murder
The audio clip in the above link is beyond repugnant. The killer was being "harassed", so it is understandable that he would pump a couple of bullets into King's brain. "Bad teachers" supported King to promote the "homosexual agenda". (On a side note, I have been asking for years what the "homosexual agenda" is, but I have yet to receive an answer that wasn't an illogical homophobic rant.) Allowing King to dress in female clothing caused "sexual tension". Allowing students to express themselves through their dress is "social engineering". Anti-bullying statues that include gays are "indoctrination".
This "gentleman" (and I use the term VERY loosely) is reprehensible. His anti-gay bigotry is sickening. His attempt to justify murder is stomach churning.
The killer in this case also had some serious mitigating circumstances in his life. These must be considered in court, but to suggest that King's homosexuality, cross dressing, and behavior legitimize his murder is abominable!
Quite frankly, friends, I would like to see this fanatic be forced to sit and listen to first hand accounts from gays and lesbians about the bigotry and prejudicial treatment that they endure on a day to day, hour to hour, basis. Maybe then, he could remove his cranium from his anus and realize that homophobia is criminal and that gays deserve the same rights, respect, and dignity as everyone else.
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Some Thoughts As Same Sex Marriage Begins In New York
Same sex marriage is a topic that is often visited on this site. As same sex marriage takes effect in New York, I want to share a few thoughts and a couple of articles on the subject. After which, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions, dear readers.
I am obviously thrilled with the turn of events in New York. Considering that this country was founded on equality and equal protection under the law, I have never understood the steadfast denial of the basic right to marry (see "pursuit of happiness" in the Constitution for further information) to this segment of our population. By the same token, I have never understood the religious objections to same sex marriage when same sex marriage is predominately directed toward civil marriage, which will allow equal legal protection for same sex couples.
It only seems fitting that same sex couples are afforded the same rights as everyone else.
Why Same Sex Marriage Is Good For Straight America
Sweet Victory
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
I am obviously thrilled with the turn of events in New York. Considering that this country was founded on equality and equal protection under the law, I have never understood the steadfast denial of the basic right to marry (see "pursuit of happiness" in the Constitution for further information) to this segment of our population. By the same token, I have never understood the religious objections to same sex marriage when same sex marriage is predominately directed toward civil marriage, which will allow equal legal protection for same sex couples.
It only seems fitting that same sex couples are afforded the same rights as everyone else.
Why Same Sex Marriage Is Good For Straight America
Sweet Victory
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Science Class Or Christian Indoctrination Class?
You know what I don't understand? I don't understand why state boards of education and elected officials insist on trying to inject their personal religious beliefs into public school science classes. Tonight's articles are from the State of Texas, but this type of thing happens on a regular basis all across America.
Texas School Board To Push For "Intelligent Design"?
Texas In A "Spiritual Battle" In Science Class?
I just don't understand this on many different levels, folks. First, these are public schools. It has been the law of the land for many years that religion is not to be taught in public schools. Public taxes are not to be used for religious indoctrination. If you want to teach your child about your religion, I have no issue with that. Just please do so in the house of worship of your choice, in a religious school, or a combination thereof. However, it has no place in a publicly funded school.
Another thing that bothers me is the amount of time, money, and resources that are utilized by the religious right to try to interject their views into public education. American children continue to lag behind children in other industrialized nations in math and science scores. Major corporation and health care providers have to recruit outside the US to find competent engineers, mathematicians, scientists, and physicians. American children don't even know the history (the true history, mind you, not the Sarah Palin version) of our country, and, yet untold millions of dollars are spent trying to convert science teachers into Christian messengers. Am I the only one that sees the connection between these things? Perhaps if we actually taught our children math and real science (not "intelligent design"), we wouldn't be importing our engineers, scientists, and medical doctors from Europe, Asia, and South Asia. (And yet the same people who want to inject religious dogma into science classes also bellyache about immigration, but, once again, I digress............)
Another point, ladies and gentlemen, why is there no thought whatsoever given to children who are not Christians? I realize Texas isn't the most multicultural place in the US, but I can promise you that 100% of the population is not Christian. Why is there no thought given to the Jewish child, the Muslim child, the Buddhist child, the Wiccan child, the Atheist child, and so on? The lack of respect and consideration, to borrow a phrase from a dear friend of mine, is simply stunning.
The lat point I want to make is that I am utterly baffled by how Texas Governor, Rick Perry, a Republican of course, can actually be considered a viable presidential candidate when he has been the driving force behind this nonsense over the past few years. Will he try to do to American what he is trying to do to Texas? Between that and recalling how tragically wrong things went the last time we elected a GOP governor from Texas as president, I certainly hope Perry's obvious presidential ambitions never get off the ground.
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
Texas School Board To Push For "Intelligent Design"?
Texas In A "Spiritual Battle" In Science Class?
I just don't understand this on many different levels, folks. First, these are public schools. It has been the law of the land for many years that religion is not to be taught in public schools. Public taxes are not to be used for religious indoctrination. If you want to teach your child about your religion, I have no issue with that. Just please do so in the house of worship of your choice, in a religious school, or a combination thereof. However, it has no place in a publicly funded school.
Another thing that bothers me is the amount of time, money, and resources that are utilized by the religious right to try to interject their views into public education. American children continue to lag behind children in other industrialized nations in math and science scores. Major corporation and health care providers have to recruit outside the US to find competent engineers, mathematicians, scientists, and physicians. American children don't even know the history (the true history, mind you, not the Sarah Palin version) of our country, and, yet untold millions of dollars are spent trying to convert science teachers into Christian messengers. Am I the only one that sees the connection between these things? Perhaps if we actually taught our children math and real science (not "intelligent design"), we wouldn't be importing our engineers, scientists, and medical doctors from Europe, Asia, and South Asia. (And yet the same people who want to inject religious dogma into science classes also bellyache about immigration, but, once again, I digress............)
Another point, ladies and gentlemen, why is there no thought whatsoever given to children who are not Christians? I realize Texas isn't the most multicultural place in the US, but I can promise you that 100% of the population is not Christian. Why is there no thought given to the Jewish child, the Muslim child, the Buddhist child, the Wiccan child, the Atheist child, and so on? The lack of respect and consideration, to borrow a phrase from a dear friend of mine, is simply stunning.
The lat point I want to make is that I am utterly baffled by how Texas Governor, Rick Perry, a Republican of course, can actually be considered a viable presidential candidate when he has been the driving force behind this nonsense over the past few years. Will he try to do to American what he is trying to do to Texas? Between that and recalling how tragically wrong things went the last time we elected a GOP governor from Texas as president, I certainly hope Perry's obvious presidential ambitions never get off the ground.
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Have We Not Established That Being LGBT Is NOT A Choice?
You know what I don't understand? I don't understand why there is a segment of our population who still insists that being LGBT is some type of choice and can be changed. Today, I shall share two tragic examples of what can happen when this type of thinking prevails.
In the first example, a young boy who exhibited "feminine" characteristics underwent experimental therapy to make him more masculine. Arguably, the end result was the young man's suicide in the prime of his life.
Turn The Sissy Into A Man!!!!!
So.............this anti-gay activist and "therapist", who in a delicious and almost expected turn of events was later observed with a male escort, feels he can "cure" your gay son by denying him attention from his mother, having his father savagely beat him when his behavior is not masculine enough, and other barbaric treatment. The man is without question subhuman.
Now, I suppose the case could be made that this "therapy" took place in the 1970s, and we have come a long way since then. The problem with that is that Mr. Rekers is still looked upon as an expert and leading voice by some in the anti-gay movement. It is certainly interesting how they seem to be able to overlook HIS apparent homosexual tendencies, but I digress. The other issue I have with this is that "Kraig" was hailed as a success story by the anti-gay crowd until the news about his suicide broke. Much like prisoners who are tortured, I would imagine that if any of us were subjected to the savagery that Kirk Murphy endured, we would do or say virtually anything to make it stop, and I fully suspect that we would carry the psychological scars long after the physical ones healed.
The other example involves a transgender prisoner who has attempted to castrate herself on more than one occasion due to the Virginia Department of Corrections refusing her requests for sexual reassignment surgery.
Denial of Surgery Leads to Self-Mutilation
So..................... Let's see if we understand this case. Prisoners are rightfully provided with health care except in this instance where sexual reassignment surgeries are still widely viewed as expensive vanity projects for the least vocal letter in the LGBT community, and not seen as the absolute medical necessity that they are. Nobody chops off their own penis in the face of potential death on a whim. Ophelia De’lonta, like thousands of others, was driven to action because she suffers from an unmet medical need.
27,000 Americans have gender identity disorder, resulting in 500-750 sexual reassignment surgeries each year. For every person with access to these oftentimes life-saving treatments, many are forced to go without.
“Everybody has the right to have their health care needs met, whether they are in prison or out on the streets. People in the prisons who have bad hearts, hips or knees have surgery to repair those things,” Michelle Kosilek told The Associated Press in a recent phone interview from a state prison in Norfolk, Mass.
“My medical needs are no less important or more important than the person in the cell next to me.”
Federal courts have said prisons must provide adequate medical care, and that they must protect inmates from themselves. But correctional officials and lawmakers balk at using taxpayer money for sex-change operations that can cost up to $20,000.
Again, ladies and gentlemen, I think the root cause of this matter is the belief that being LGBT is a choice; as if these ladies chose to be the way they are, and in a male correctional facility no less. Can you only imagine the harassment, unwelcome advances, assaults, and rapes they must endure on a daily basis?
While these examples may be extreme, they speak to the larger issue of sexual orientation not being a choice; and for those who suggest it is I would like for you to answer one simple question for me...............
When did you decide or choose to be straight?
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
In the first example, a young boy who exhibited "feminine" characteristics underwent experimental therapy to make him more masculine. Arguably, the end result was the young man's suicide in the prime of his life.
Turn The Sissy Into A Man!!!!!
So.............this anti-gay activist and "therapist", who in a delicious and almost expected turn of events was later observed with a male escort, feels he can "cure" your gay son by denying him attention from his mother, having his father savagely beat him when his behavior is not masculine enough, and other barbaric treatment. The man is without question subhuman.
Now, I suppose the case could be made that this "therapy" took place in the 1970s, and we have come a long way since then. The problem with that is that Mr. Rekers is still looked upon as an expert and leading voice by some in the anti-gay movement. It is certainly interesting how they seem to be able to overlook HIS apparent homosexual tendencies, but I digress. The other issue I have with this is that "Kraig" was hailed as a success story by the anti-gay crowd until the news about his suicide broke. Much like prisoners who are tortured, I would imagine that if any of us were subjected to the savagery that Kirk Murphy endured, we would do or say virtually anything to make it stop, and I fully suspect that we would carry the psychological scars long after the physical ones healed.
The other example involves a transgender prisoner who has attempted to castrate herself on more than one occasion due to the Virginia Department of Corrections refusing her requests for sexual reassignment surgery.
Denial of Surgery Leads to Self-Mutilation
So..................... Let's see if we understand this case. Prisoners are rightfully provided with health care except in this instance where sexual reassignment surgeries are still widely viewed as expensive vanity projects for the least vocal letter in the LGBT community, and not seen as the absolute medical necessity that they are. Nobody chops off their own penis in the face of potential death on a whim. Ophelia De’lonta, like thousands of others, was driven to action because she suffers from an unmet medical need.
27,000 Americans have gender identity disorder, resulting in 500-750 sexual reassignment surgeries each year. For every person with access to these oftentimes life-saving treatments, many are forced to go without.
“Everybody has the right to have their health care needs met, whether they are in prison or out on the streets. People in the prisons who have bad hearts, hips or knees have surgery to repair those things,” Michelle Kosilek told The Associated Press in a recent phone interview from a state prison in Norfolk, Mass.
“My medical needs are no less important or more important than the person in the cell next to me.”
Federal courts have said prisons must provide adequate medical care, and that they must protect inmates from themselves. But correctional officials and lawmakers balk at using taxpayer money for sex-change operations that can cost up to $20,000.
Again, ladies and gentlemen, I think the root cause of this matter is the belief that being LGBT is a choice; as if these ladies chose to be the way they are, and in a male correctional facility no less. Can you only imagine the harassment, unwelcome advances, assaults, and rapes they must endure on a daily basis?
While these examples may be extreme, they speak to the larger issue of sexual orientation not being a choice; and for those who suggest it is I would like for you to answer one simple question for me...............
When did you decide or choose to be straight?
Peace and love, my brothers and sisters.
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