"This Isn't About Politics. This is About the Human Heart."
Last night MSNBC anchorman Keith Olbermann delivered an eloquent and thought-provoking "Special Comment" about Proposition 8 (which overturned a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage in California as a fundamental right). I think it's worth watching.
He says, "This isn't about politics. This is about the human heart. And if that sounds corny, so be it." Watch the video here:
He asks, "Why does this matter to you? What is it to you? In a time of impermanence and fly-by-night relationships, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don't want to deny you yours." I'm interested to hear your answers. The delightfully opinionated iVillage community clearly has a lot to say about this issue, which they did right here. But please share your thoughts below, as well.
Our history is littered with the denials of basic human rights - and people fighting to achieve them. Most notably for me is the woman's suffrage movement, and the ratification of the 19th Amendment to include women in the right to vote - an amendment I thank God for every election day. For it's only been 88 years now that women have been able to vote - and there are people alive today who remember when they could not. Women fought for and won their right to vote in the War of Roses - members of Congress and supporters of suffrage wore yellow roses to show their support, and the opposition wore red roses to show theirs. I would like to take a note from those brave women's hands.
A group of friends any myself have purchased yellow rose rings which we will wear on our "wedding" fingers in protest of the passing of Proposition 8. It is my way of saying that until EVERYONE can get married - I will not. The religious right won this battle by fooling people into thinking that allowing people to marry would somehow ruin the sanctity of marriage (as if divorce doesn't - don't get me started) - but the sanctity of marriage only continues if we, the people, continue to acknowledge it. I have married friends who have taken black electrical tape, and are taping over their wedding bands to acknowledge the black hole this proposition had turned marriage into. Please join us!
It doesn't matter if you live in California, if you are old enough to vote, or even if you voted Yes and have since changed your mind. This is not about being gay - this is about allowing people to love one another. We have just seen what great things a grass roots movement can do - it can get a inspirational and hope-filled black man elected President - don't let that be our ending point.
As President-elect Obama said in his acceptance speech, "This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were." Let us continue this fight. Together.
"The young women of today - free to study, to speak, to write, to choose their occupation - should remember that every inch of this freedom was bought for them at a great price... the debt that each generation owes to the past, it must pay to the future." ~Abigail Scott Dunaway
Right On!
Amen, sister!