You Get What You Ask For - Or, My Post-election Musings

[lotusmoppet]

Public Post - and looooooooooong (it's been a lifetime coming, after all)

The title's a bit harsh, and I'd rather not lose f-listers over this, but after a year of not posting any opinions on the election I'm finally letting loose in the hopes you'll hear me, understand where I'm coming from...I've always known - or at least firmly believed/was

Comments

[cranberryink]

The Los Angeles Times has been doing an interesting series of articles about why Prop 8 passed, and they have also pointed out how much the black and Latino vote helped it.

African American voters played a crucial role in the outcome. An exit poll of California voters showed that black voters sided in favor of the measure by margins of more than 2 to 1. Not only was the black vote weighted heavily in favor of Proposition 8, but black turnout -- spurred by Barack Obama's campaign for president -- was unusually large, making up roughly 10% of the voters.And yes, like you said, between the Catholic Latinos and the Baptist blacks, there was a huge turn out in favor of Prop 8. I wasn't around for the struggle for black civil rights and so I don't know how people justified their discriminatory beliefs about that, but one of the major problems with gay civil rights is that there are passages in the bible expressly condemning homosexuality--from Jesus himself, no less. I have my own opinions on why that's there (and how it's so much bullshit

[lotusmoppet]

Thnx - correction made.

I truly love you, you know that? And I consider my life blessed to have you in it. ::squeezes::

Now, how do we educate people...I said the other day it will take time, but I also think it will take exposure. As M says, extremists turn him off and that's unfair because most people, regardless of sexual orientation, aren't loud and in your face, but those are the people one most sees portrayed in the media - stereotypes, and often obnoxious ones.

If people could simply meet together, get to know each other, share in each others' stories of struggle, that's how I think the dialogue and education could begin. But how to make that happen?

Maybe church outreach - I heard some radio pieces with local black church and political leaders coming out against Prop 8. If we could continue that campaign it might help.

[cranberryink]

I love you too, doll. *air kisses*

And I agree with you. I think the progressive Christian churches definitely need to speak more loudly about gay rights. Change can't be forced on people from outside the religious community, you know? It has to start inside and work its way out. (I'm actually considering going to church again. I found one sort of local that seems right up my alley.) I have to say, if Prop 8 has done anything for me, it's galvanized me to be a stronger, louder, more involved supporter of gay rights. Kind of like how Bush mobilized a generation of Democrats to come out and win by a landslide. *g*

Also, I just saw this and it made me smile, so I thought I'd share.

[lotusmoppet]

Aww! How sweet is that? And the boys just found each other - you can tell from the first two photos it's not contrived. Thanks. =)

I agree - this has to start with church leaders and come from within. I don't see the Catholic church as being *quite* as flexible as the Baptist church might be, but one never knows. I also think prominent gay blacks and Latinos could do a lot to further the cause...and now that I write that I can't think of any. :-/

Interestingly Gma and I have been thinking for some time of attending this church right up the street, but we haven't been able to get it together (we wanted to meet Reverend Joan first, so I need to make an appointment). I want spiritual structure back in my life and quite a few people have recommended this congregation. Let me know how it goes for you - maybe it'll be the push I need to make the initial appointment.

(My paranoia about running into Z-and-wife is keeping me from attending. Wish I didn't have to worry about that...)

[millysdaughter]

Darlin'--you are more than welcome to date my son. I think you have far more sense than that, but hey, if you ever wanted to....

[lotusmoppet]

LMAO! Bless you, my dear! *snugs*

But I think Mark might have something to say about that. ;-D

[kare]

I've always known - or at least firmly believed/was entirely convinced - a black man would become president before a white woman.Probably about a year ago when folks were thinking Hillary was a given, I made a post saying that there was no way Hillary would get the nomination, let along the presidency. I also said we'd see a male minority president before a female of any ethnicity. I know a lot of folks at the time thought I was off my rocker

[lotusmoppet]

I understand completely, which is why I've stayed silent this past year, and why I'm reticent to post now. But the words were swirling around my head and I needed to get them out, so I had to take the chance.

...And while I haven't considered the actual time-line, I agree with you about any potential female candidate in the near future. Just look at what a dry spell we had after Geraldine Ferraro's run for Vice President; with Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin setting the bar in this election I don't see a real female front-runner any time soon, either. That's not a commentary on their qualifications so much as a commentary on the reaction of the people to their running, and how the voters responded.

We could be wrong, of course, but that's what I feel at the moment, too.

[marmarand]

On Wednesday, my Dad called me and said that he remembered being a teenager when JFK and then RFK were shot. He lived in a Communist country at the time and said he thought then that maybe America wasn't the paradise he imagined. Then he said "I remember being a boy thinking I would never see a black man be president and it happened." I have always really liked talking about race with my parents because they were raised in a place with only white people and restricted travel and so they never developed stereotypical thinking. Unlike my Dad's racist cousin, for example, who embarrasses me every time I see him.

But anyway, regarding Prop 8 - hugely disappointing, but I knew that would be the outcome. This is because the fight wasn't properly fought, I think. Very poor organization, and inadequate litigation up to this point. I don't blame the gay community for the way bigots vote, but I wish they'd approached this in a smarter way so it could have been won this week and not in 4 years or 10.

[lotusmoppet]

*nods* I'm always fascinated by the experience of being black/African-American in a country or culture where the stereotypes don't exist. I can imagine it would be amazing to discuss with your parents.

When I lived in Paris people were wonderful to me - mostly because they didn't think I was from the US - but regardless of where I go or live outside the US (with the exception of parts of Germany and Japan) I'm treated like a queen. I realized years ago it can be a blessing to be born black in the US, and live elsewhere...although I couldn't do it forever, missed the Bay Area too much.

As for Prop 8 - I agree, it was very poorly managed by the opposition, and they admit that. But I'm hoping this particular battle will be won in the courts, not the election booth, because it could mean an expedited process. That won't be the end of it, needless to say, but California voters voted down gay marriage rather recently and the courts still ruled in favor of it, so there's hope. :)