we can change, we must change

I am happy that the California Supreme Court has ruled that a ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional according to the state constitution of California. This is even more impressive because most of the judges on the court are conservative or conservative-leaning. Admittedly, it was a 4-3 decision, but the ruling can only be overturned by closed-minded, bigoted voters. Isn't democracy fabulous? (Apparently, the US Supreme Court cannot overturn it because it wasn't a judgement passed on the US constitution, but the CA constitution. )

There is going to be a referendum to amend the California Constitution to make it constitutional to basically make it legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation (and one assumes gender identity as well).

What too many don't seem to realise (or care) is that just because something is legal or even constitutional, doesn't mean that thing is right or moral. It scares me that people want to change a constitution to be more supportive of bigotry and hatred. I thought that the fiasco with institutionalised racial inequality in the US constitution would have taught people to be more careful.

I don't care what religion you are or what side of the political spectrum you lean towards, anything that limits the freedoms of individuals who have committed no crimes, who haven't infringed on anyone else's rights, is so wrong as to defy quantifying the depth and degree of that wrongness. It is so incredibly dangerous to permit the limiting of any group's freedoms, because once the precedent is made, it becomes far too easy do it again and again. This is the real "slippery slope". If it becomes acceptable to deny rights to GLBT people, simply because some don't like what they do in their bedrooms, where does it stop? Will Muslims start being targeted simply based on the same type of fear-mongering that is used to attack gays?

It sickens me that so many Americans are gullible, blind, and stupid enough to buy into the lies about "the gay agenda" or "defending the family". I am ashamed of those who would limit the freedoms of those they don't understand or don't agree with.

This kind of behaviour is both anti-American and sadly American at the same time. It goes against what the US is supposed to stand for: Equal rights and treatment for all, a country where diversity is celebrated and encouraged. Lately the opposite is true. Diversity is feared and hated. Those who are different, be they gay, black, Muslim, or Spanish speaking, are reviled and looked down upon, stereotyped and rejected. The political climate over the past 8 years has done much to exacerbate this problem. The way Americans have been taught to fear and hate anything to do with Islam sickens me.

I recently met a woman who is from Egypt. She has a university degree and legal resident of the US. Despite this, she is unable to find any job besides that of a cashier at a supermarket. Because of her national origin, she is discriminated against. She is assumed to be Muslim (even though she's Christian - Coptic Orthodox), and is therefore treated with contempt. She is a teacher, and if anything, this country needs more teachers, especially ones who are passionate and skilled.

I do have hope that things will change, if slowly. There are many people who are doing their best to change and get rid of the racism, homophobia, and sense of superiority and condescension that so plague this nation. That so many in this country are supporting an African-American presidential candidate, and are excited about doing something to change the state of affairs is heartening. I myself wish I could vote and be more involved in both local and national politics, but am unable to do so - and that frustrates me. I am just as much affected and contribute as much as any American to this country, but because I'm not a citizen, I don't have any say whatsoever. I am trying to get citizenship, but it is an expensive and lengthy process, and I don't know how much longer I will be living in this country. My parents and siblings all live here though, and my father and two of my siblings are already citizens, so it would be useful for many reasons. I must admit though, that as much as I like this country, and enjoy living here, there's no place like home.