The article that I read was called “Gay rights protestors demand Obama help end “don’t ask, don’t tell’”. This article is about how thirteen gay rights activists have handcuffed themselves to the White House fence Monday afternoon, calling for president Obama to work harder for repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on gay service members serving openly. Protestors repeatedly shouted, “I am somebody, I deserve full equality!” One by one U.S. park police cut through the handcuffs that attached protestors with a huge pair of red shears, they were then arrested and detained. One man shouted, “President Obama is afraid to act!” For five of the protestors, this was not their first time arrested in front of the White House; they carried out the same act of civil disobedience back in March to fight for gay service members. This article caught my attention primarily because of the discussion that we had in class last week. Although some may not agree with the same sex marriages, homosexuals still have the right to be treated like human beings. The discussion that we had in class was very emotionally intense, but this learning style was the most effective as I believe everyone present that day in class walked away with something no matter how you stood on the subject. We how intense this battle for equal rights amongst homosexuals are getting with repeated protests directly in front of the White House, that day in class gave us better understanding of that even if we weren’t closely connected to the subject.
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I totally agree with you. Reading this article definitely reminded me of the elections a couple weeks back. I can remember the week of the elections people were coming to my house asking for help on the vote on discrimination. I don't personally agree on gay marriages because of religious views but I do believe that in The United States of America people should have the freedom to do what they please because we are in the land of Freedom. I also found it interesting that they called out President Obama and saying he is afraid to act. I do not feel that they believed they were going to change anything that day or expected something to change. It is just a way to make a statement.
ReplyDeleteTo add, from that day in class we were challenged to not only consider our own views, but the views and beliefs of others. what I took from class in particular was that you cannot impose your beliefs on someone, no matter how strong your belief is or no matter what it says. Not everyone is going to feel the same about different beliefs and so the only thing one who is trying to argue or persuade must do is stand firm in thier own belief. What you believe is what you believe and if no one supports the belief of another they must settle their differences immediately or else things can become complicated and feelings can get hurt.
ReplyDeleteI rarely openly voice my opinion on this topic just because it can get extremely heated, but I have very strong feelings about gay rights. I 100% support gay rights issues and therefore I support the protesters who were taking a stand. I know this topic can no longer be brought up without tying in our class discussion, so here is my opportunity to voice my thoughts. I should let people know that I have a couple of family members that are gay, so my feelings on this topic should be quite obvious from just that. I agree that our class discussion on gay and lesbian rights was productive and essential. Opinions must be voiced if change is what we (by ‘we’, I mean gay rights supporters) are looking for. People say we live in a land of freedom, but I beg to differ. I know many individuals who are not given the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. I respect the opinions of those who oppose these rights, but I also do not agree with them. Part of the reason I don’t voice my opinion much is because it is an emotional topic for me, and it is something I don’t like to express to others. It makes me very angry and very sad to think that my aunt and my uncle aren’t given the same/equal opportunities as heterosexuals. To think that my family members are thought of as less worthy really angers me. As Courtney said in class, those people (both her mentors and my family) are amazing people who do great things for others. They deserve the same treatment that others receive. My aunt and uncle are fun, loving, and successful people. I know they have both influenced and shaped who I am today and where I stand on this topic. I am a more open, well-rounded person because of them. My point is, I understand why people are opposed to gay rights, but I flat out do not agree with them. My aunt and uncle deserve the same rights as everyone else.
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