The entire world is changing before our eyes.
Think about it, no matter when you were born you have to admit that the world we live in is dramatically different from the one we were born in.
In the 1960’s my parents, teachers and senior members of my community would frequently say we would never see an African American President in our lifetime.
Women were not looked upon as individuals expected to rise to CEO’S of corporations or Secretary of State.
James Brown sang during that time period “It’s a man’s world.”
During that same time it was dangerous for any boy in the neighborhood to exhibit any qualities considered less than “manly.”
In the Black and Hispanic community feminine acting boys were sure to be regularly attacked and beaten unmercifully.
During that time in history movies like ‘On the Waterfront’, Rebel without a Cause’ American Graffiti and ‘Cooley High’ and later 'Boys in the Hood' provide a snapshot of the time.
You still don’t believe there is much difference in our world?
Then consider that the politics of Gay Rights has moved with light speed to the forefront of world politics. Yes world politics not just ‘American politics.’
Here is another thing to consider.
When I was a kid I remember going to the drug store a few blocks away when I got my allowance to buy comic books. My buddy’s also purchased comics and we would spend the rest of the day exchanging and reading Marvel Comics, Superman and Batman.
The most offbeat issues I remember way back then was when Marvel wrote about when Harry Osborn (Spiderman’s best friend) started doing drugs.
I also remember something about Marvel losing its Comic Code seal for those controversial issues.
My parents never paid any attention to my comic book tastes, nor did they monitor which comics I purchased.
Parents today might need to take a look at the comic books their children are reading because there are gay characters and adult situations in comics today.
Batwoman (one of the new 52 rewrites) is a lesbian as well as several other secondary heroes and supporting characters in the DC (Superman) and the Marvel (Spiderman) universe.
Gays are now becoming prominent in movies and television as well.
Television shows like the ‘Love Sidney starring Tony Randall, to ‘Will and Grace’ and now ‘Scandal’ with Kerry Washington show the continued impetus and progress of bringing gay issues in front of mainstream America.
One of Scandal’s most popular storylines deal with the fictional White house Chief of Staff (Cyrus played by Jeff Perry ) and his gay partner, Cyrus by the way is a Republican.
President Bill Clinton pushed ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ during his term and home discussions about gay’s in the military have gone from loud and passionate to quiet and expressionless.
Republicans do not bring up homosexuals as a political issue anymore. During the last election Republican candidate Mitt Romney spoke as little about the subject as he could.
The latest development is the debate about gays joining the Boy Scouts. That tradition steeped organization even had President Obama weigh in seeming to support gays becoming part of the organization.
Many African Americans were sore at President Obama for supporting ‘Same Sex Marriage’and now more upset about his stance regarding the Boy Scouts of America.
On the world stage the House of Commons in Great Britain just legalized same sex marriage supported by an impassioned speech by David Lammy a man of African descent. Interesting enough his upbringing was similar to President Obama's.
It was also interesting that he drew a correlation between American civil rights atrocities suffered by blacks with gay marriage.
People don't seem to get it that Blacks were murdered, castrated, brutalized and raped, but by comparison gays can discriminate if they desire and even hide in the shadows with full.citizenship if they are the right pigment.
Watch the movie Django and see if you think the two groups have the same problems.
On the home front United States military is figuring out they have to address same sex partner benefits and the former Soviet Union is addressing the issue prior to the Olympic Games.
Africa and Asia have acknowledged the emerging political issue with less policy and more policing.
Students of history are aware that Oscar Wilde was jailed in England for homosexuality.
They also are aware that several hundred years later they passed Same Sex Marriage.
Personally, I do not think gays should be discriminated against. But, I firmly believe marriage is for men and women and as a result there is no separate but equal distinction for gays.
I still believe kids need to understand that there is a difference.
We are not talking about the same thing at all in my mind.
There is no equal and it separate.
For some reason no one wants to bring up the fact that many are simply afraid homosexuals could be attracted to straight men and women and possibly approach them hoping for intimate relationships.
No matter what the belief, the politics of gay rights is on a fast train headed our way with loud whistles.
Comments