Philosophy
Been some interesting goings on these last couple weeks on the equality front. The good news is that gay marriage has finally come to the nation's capital. In it's wake, we've seen those trying to deny equal treatment under the law take a couple different approaches.
In Virginia, the homophobic Attorney General, Kenneth Cuccinelli, tried the head-on attack, using his office to try to force the public colleges and universities of the state to allow discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It turned out to be such a pr fiasco for the state that housed the capital of the Confederacy to be seen as endorsing discrimination that even the right-wing nut-job of a governor realized he needed to put the brakes on it and ordered an executive directive restricting (though not an executive order which would have the force of law) against Cuccinelli's opinion.
So, if the frontal assault on equality is unseemly, the next best way is blackmail. "You know, you can offer gay men and lesbians equal rights under the law if you want, but I'd hate to see anything happen to these cute little kittens here..." O.k., they aren't threatening kittens, just preschoolers. In Colorado, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School kicked out a preschooler because the child's parents are lesbians. Yes, I'm sure the sacred heart of Jesus Christ would turn hateful towards a little kindergartener because of the plumbing her parents had. Nothing like punishing the innocent to send a message of love for all God's children.
And if punishing one child wasn't enough, let's threaten a whole bunch of needy people! Maybe that'll work better.
Of course, the Protestants can pull the same bigoted move as well. In Mississippi, school officials canceled prom this year because a lesbian couple were going to attend and destroy it for everyone by dancing and that is not something we can have at our proms.
Maybe I'm being Pollyanna here, but the fact that the direct approach doesn't work and that the forces of bigotry are having to threaten innocents seems like they have their backs up against a wall. Maybe this shift in approach represents a cultural shift forcing them to be devious and underhanded to protect their discriminatory ways. The hope is that like the Republicans shutting down the government in hopes of garnering sympathy, this too will backfire and the public will see injustice for what it is and call it out.
- So What Are These Ethical Issues Around Gay Marriage?
With North Carolina's enshrinement of bigotry into their state constitution and Obama's evolution to accepting the need for gay men and lesbians to receive fair and equal treatment under the law, there has been lots of talk about the ethical dilemma...
- A Plea For Charity In Understanding African-american Homophobia
A central tenet in critical thinking is the principle of charity, one should always formulate a view in the strongest possible fashion. I'm trying my best to be charitable with the anti-gay marriage arguments of the African-American lawmakers in Maryland...
- When Can Bigots Be Called Bigots?
Political correctness was designed to allow voices than had been oppressed to have a seat at the table. But the real effect has been exactly the opposite. It has created a bizarre equivalence of all viewpoints that does not allow us to call things what...
- The Winner In Last Night's Debate? Frank Luntz
Last night on Logo, a gay-focused cable station, most of the Democratic candidates attended a forum to discuss GLBT issues (Biden and Dodd were no-shows as were all of the Republicans who were also invited to participate). The winner of that debate, Frank...
- Genetic Mishap And Bathroom Privileges
Now the ethics and the well-being of a child will be up to the courts. Things just get more complicated. "Colorado parents of transgender 1st-grader file complaint over restroom ban" by Colleen O'Connor February 27th, 2013 The Denver Post The parents...
Philosophy
Looking for a Silver Lining
Been some interesting goings on these last couple weeks on the equality front. The good news is that gay marriage has finally come to the nation's capital. In it's wake, we've seen those trying to deny equal treatment under the law take a couple different approaches.
In Virginia, the homophobic Attorney General, Kenneth Cuccinelli, tried the head-on attack, using his office to try to force the public colleges and universities of the state to allow discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It turned out to be such a pr fiasco for the state that housed the capital of the Confederacy to be seen as endorsing discrimination that even the right-wing nut-job of a governor realized he needed to put the brakes on it and ordered an executive directive restricting (though not an executive order which would have the force of law) against Cuccinelli's opinion.
So, if the frontal assault on equality is unseemly, the next best way is blackmail. "You know, you can offer gay men and lesbians equal rights under the law if you want, but I'd hate to see anything happen to these cute little kittens here..." O.k., they aren't threatening kittens, just preschoolers. In Colorado, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School kicked out a preschooler because the child's parents are lesbians. Yes, I'm sure the sacred heart of Jesus Christ would turn hateful towards a little kindergartener because of the plumbing her parents had. Nothing like punishing the innocent to send a message of love for all God's children.
And if punishing one child wasn't enough, let's threaten a whole bunch of needy people! Maybe that'll work better.
"The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care."Yup, we'll let people go hungry and without shelter unless you change your mind about treating your brothers and sisters like human beings.
Of course, the Protestants can pull the same bigoted move as well. In Mississippi, school officials canceled prom this year because a lesbian couple were going to attend and destroy it for everyone by dancing and that is not something we can have at our proms.
Maybe I'm being Pollyanna here, but the fact that the direct approach doesn't work and that the forces of bigotry are having to threaten innocents seems like they have their backs up against a wall. Maybe this shift in approach represents a cultural shift forcing them to be devious and underhanded to protect their discriminatory ways. The hope is that like the Republicans shutting down the government in hopes of garnering sympathy, this too will backfire and the public will see injustice for what it is and call it out.
- So What Are These Ethical Issues Around Gay Marriage?
With North Carolina's enshrinement of bigotry into their state constitution and Obama's evolution to accepting the need for gay men and lesbians to receive fair and equal treatment under the law, there has been lots of talk about the ethical dilemma...
- A Plea For Charity In Understanding African-american Homophobia
A central tenet in critical thinking is the principle of charity, one should always formulate a view in the strongest possible fashion. I'm trying my best to be charitable with the anti-gay marriage arguments of the African-American lawmakers in Maryland...
- When Can Bigots Be Called Bigots?
Political correctness was designed to allow voices than had been oppressed to have a seat at the table. But the real effect has been exactly the opposite. It has created a bizarre equivalence of all viewpoints that does not allow us to call things what...
- The Winner In Last Night's Debate? Frank Luntz
Last night on Logo, a gay-focused cable station, most of the Democratic candidates attended a forum to discuss GLBT issues (Biden and Dodd were no-shows as were all of the Republicans who were also invited to participate). The winner of that debate, Frank...
- Genetic Mishap And Bathroom Privileges
Now the ethics and the well-being of a child will be up to the courts. Things just get more complicated. "Colorado parents of transgender 1st-grader file complaint over restroom ban" by Colleen O'Connor February 27th, 2013 The Denver Post The parents...