Equal rights are for everyone
Jason Murray
Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: Opinions/Editorial
The other day, a friend asked me what causes were most important to me when considering charitable donations. My response was perhaps typical for Skidmore - sustainability and equal rights. What I didn't expect was her follow-up question "For whom? For women?" Perhaps I'm being simplistic, but when I say equal rights, I mean equal rights for everyone regardless of gender, race, class, sexual preference and a host of other differentiators.
Now my friend is not a bigot. I'll continue to tease her about the incident because such behavior is highly uncharacteristic for her. But her knee-jerk reaction gave way to an interesting discussion about the attitudes on campus. Most here would support equal rights for women and people racially different from themselves, but can the same be said when it comes to differences in sexuality?
The Jena Six opened up national debate and protest about racial inequalities, yet ballot initiatives limiting rights of gay couples failed to cause a similar uproar on campus. Students organized events to raise awareness about the Jena Six and generate response about that issue, but the fact that more than half the states currently have bans against same-sex marriage receive no student attention.
Sure, there was some muttered disbelief when California joined those ranks, but where was the discussion about Arkansas' ban on adoption by same-sex couples? Discussion aside, where's the anger?
These offenses are deserving of some good-old-fashioned college outrage. They may be occurring outside our bubble, but we managed to pay attention to Hurricane Katrina, Jena Six and Darfur. We showed ourselves capable of immense compassion and unity in those situations, and that's what we need now.
I'm pleased to see that our entertainers are taking up the fight, even when we choose to so irresponsibly ignore it. Sean Penn's memorable Oscar's acceptance speech began with a rather humorous, yet appropriate bit of cheek. "Thank you. You commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns." But he turned things to a more serious note and called out those who supported California's ban.
"I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone," Penn said.
Perhaps we need to be reminded of the Rev. Martin Niemoller's oft-quoted wisdom. Children sometimes learn his words before they know the context, but the lesson is universal.
"They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. / Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. / Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. / Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. / Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."
We have an obligation to fight for equal rights. If you can't follow the altruistic path and embrace it for the greater good, then at least consider the implications of staying silent. If same-sex couples are judged incapable of parenting, then what about the single moms and dads struggling to pay bills and raise kids? Are they next? Divorced parents? Widows?
None of these groups should be second-class citizens. You can't put it simpler than Sean Penn did - "We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
Jason Murray is a senior English and Business double major and hopes someone will read this and hire him.
Now my friend is not a bigot. I'll continue to tease her about the incident because such behavior is highly uncharacteristic for her. But her knee-jerk reaction gave way to an interesting discussion about the attitudes on campus. Most here would support equal rights for women and people racially different from themselves, but can the same be said when it comes to differences in sexuality?
The Jena Six opened up national debate and protest about racial inequalities, yet ballot initiatives limiting rights of gay couples failed to cause a similar uproar on campus. Students organized events to raise awareness about the Jena Six and generate response about that issue, but the fact that more than half the states currently have bans against same-sex marriage receive no student attention.
Sure, there was some muttered disbelief when California joined those ranks, but where was the discussion about Arkansas' ban on adoption by same-sex couples? Discussion aside, where's the anger?
These offenses are deserving of some good-old-fashioned college outrage. They may be occurring outside our bubble, but we managed to pay attention to Hurricane Katrina, Jena Six and Darfur. We showed ourselves capable of immense compassion and unity in those situations, and that's what we need now.
I'm pleased to see that our entertainers are taking up the fight, even when we choose to so irresponsibly ignore it. Sean Penn's memorable Oscar's acceptance speech began with a rather humorous, yet appropriate bit of cheek. "Thank you. You commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns." But he turned things to a more serious note and called out those who supported California's ban.
"I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone," Penn said.
Perhaps we need to be reminded of the Rev. Martin Niemoller's oft-quoted wisdom. Children sometimes learn his words before they know the context, but the lesson is universal.
"They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. / Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. / Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. / Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. / Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."
We have an obligation to fight for equal rights. If you can't follow the altruistic path and embrace it for the greater good, then at least consider the implications of staying silent. If same-sex couples are judged incapable of parenting, then what about the single moms and dads struggling to pay bills and raise kids? Are they next? Divorced parents? Widows?
None of these groups should be second-class citizens. You can't put it simpler than Sean Penn did - "We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
Jason Murray is a senior English and Business double major and hopes someone will read this and hire him.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
John Myers
posted 3/02/09 @ 12:07 PM EST
I want to thank Jason Murray for his well written piece.
As a gay man I have been deeply involved in the fight for equal rights and protections for real or perceived gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) K-12 students. (Continued…)
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