krby71 wrote:
I don't like making generalizations, but the black community, in general, is more deeply religious than others and the black community, in general, holds homosexuality in very low regard.
A large core of the very people that came out in much higher numbers to elect Obama seemed to be the ones that overwhelmingly voted in these measures.
That's something that's being said a lot of places, and it's causing huge problems.
BLACK PEOPLE DID NOT DO THIS.
Yes, I know the exit polls in some places showed that black people on average were 70/30 on gay rights issues.
Yes, in "the black community" there is a lot of homophobia still. One walks cautiously when speaking in general terms about lumps of people because 'general terms' can quickly morph into either being or seeming like prejudice or racism. So understand I'm speaking in only the BROADEST of terms. Many people in the black community are either deeply religious or have close ties to their faith through their church and other groups. Many of these churches have been speaking out for 'Yes on 8'.
So sure, those are things that are being fought within the black community. Now let's focus on the good.
The NAACP in many regions came out PUBLICALLY for No on 8, in support of the GLTB community. They, and many others (including some religious folk) were among the first to point out that oppression of the GLBT community is no different than the oppressions blacks fought a generation before. They extolled the community to support their 'gay brothers and sisters' in this historic fight.
Obama has said he's not for "gay marriage" and I've taken issue with that, as frankly it seems to be just politically expedient. Because everything else he does shows he's for it. EARLY ON Obama said publically that he did NOT support Prop. 8 and did not believe the rights of marriage should be taken away. Unfortunately the 'No on 8' campaign didn't start using his statements and image until late in the race. It took a bit to get the focus on the right track IMO (civil rights).
So we have many in the black community who stepped up and stepped out. This loss CANNOT be laid at their feet, and to do so is pretty fucked up.
Let's talk about apathy. SAN FRANCISCO WHERE WERE YOU?! There was extremely low voter turn out among voters who absolutely supported No on 8, and are very GLTB friendly.
We lost, by my count last night when I gave up and retreated to bed, by 300k. That's it. And we had terrible turn outs in SF and areas of Los Angeles which are GLTB friendly.
It was so close every vote mattered, and if we're going to lay this at anyone's feet...well we have no further to look than a mirror for some. (I voted, and voted early with mail in. And I harassed everyone I knew.)
And I place a substantial amount of blame on two specific churches who funneled an obscene amount of money into this issue: The LSD (Mormons) and the Catholic Church. Shame on them both, and I hope they lose their tax status for their repeated politicking. And shame on ANY church who tells their people how to vote from the authority of the pulpit (whether on my side or not, it's wrong and shameful).
I'm angry, and I feel sick over it. But I'm not shocked. I've never had faith in 'the mob', in fact like many of our founders...I fear it. Sure it's nice when the mob is on your side, but except in times of crisis from external pressures our 'United States' tend to be pretty fragmented.
No group should ever have the right to grant or take away civil rights by numbers. A sad role of our government is to protect us at times from the tyranny of 'The People'. And we've seen evidence of that when a group of soliders had to ensure that children of color could enter a school unmolested. There are many other examples, but I think that's one image no one has trouble conjuring up, and that all but a few feel deep sympathy and shame over.
Today's a new day, and the fight will continue. I know many people don't think it affects them. I'm a woman married to my partner who is a man...it doesn't affect MY marriage. But this issue affects ME. And it affects you. I truly believe that all of us are only as free as the most oppressed among us.
And if you don't stand up for them, who will be there to stand up for you when your turn comes?