Ugly ignorant bigots

[giza]

While walking to work this morning, I walked past a pickup truck that had a bumper sticker that said, "Marriage = (1 man) + (1 woman)". Then, as I walked by the front of the vehicle, I saw that the driver was black!

It's pretty sad/disgusting seeing one minority trying to f*ck over another minority. You'd think that being discriminated against as recently as 40 years ago would give him some empathy for the situation that gays are currently in.

I think somebody needs to smack this guy upside the head with a nice big history book.

Comments

[puctiger.livejournal.com]

That particular bumper sticker is sold by the 700 Club and the CBN network -- I've seen it before. And I would argue that African Americans are far more likely to be Christian than Whites.

If you recall, there were a number of blacks rights activists that have argued in the news lately that gays and lesbians don't have the right to consider themselves 'civil rights activists' because, if you also recall, most of the people who fought for blacks' rights were also very Christian. They don't see gays and lesbians as a 'minority', but rather as nonconformist anti-Christians who are still an abomination unto The Lord. So there's where their mentality comes from. It all adds up.

I'd also say that as soon as one loses their minority status, they seem quick to bash on other perceived minorities or those of lower social standing. People who lose weight seem to be quickly critical of fat people, people who suddenly come into wealth seem to quickly be harsh on those with lesser means, etc. It's a pattern of behavior, and this really isn't very different. It doesn't mean I think it's fair, but I understand it, and that gives me an edge when I'm arguing for civil rights of all minorities.

[giza.livejournal.com]

> And I would argue that African Americans are far more likely to be Christian
> than Whites.

How do you figure? It seems to me that 99% of the religious bigots out there are white Republicans.

I like the points you brought up regarding when people lose their minority status. I think that's something we can all learn from.

[puctiger.livejournal.com]

>>How do you figure? It seems to me that 99% of the religious bigots out there are white Republicans.

99% of the religious bigots you see on television are white Republicans. But if you know anything about the African American culture, is that the church is still a huge center of life for most African Americans. Common denominations are Baptist, Pentecostal, and other Evangelical denominations. The reason I brought up the Civil Rights movement, for example, was that the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) was the foundation behind many of the marches, speeches, and in fact was headed by Martin Luther King Jr. The foundation was built from the ground up on the shoulders of Baptist Churches -- one of the more vocal opponents of gay rights legislation.

[kellic.livejournal.com]

Didn't you know? Gays are the new black. :x(

[thraxarious.livejournal.com]

Hung Low.... Hung Cherry Heart... Coming Forth to redecorate my home!

[tgeller.livejournal.com]

Cincinnati's antigay referendum was won largely because of support in black churches. (Blacks are something like 25% of the population there; the national average is around 12%.)

[furahi.livejournal.com]

I know it's no laughing matter, but I thought you were going to say someone needed to smack him with their dicks =P

[mycroftca.livejournal.com]

How's about the recent altercations between the black community and the Jewish community; the latter of which sacrificed members in the Equal Rights movements of the 60s trying to destroy the Jim Crow laws? Or for that matter, you should have heard on NPR some of the comments black people from the LA inner city were making in response to the illegal Hispanic immigrants; very sour grapes. No matter what, it's not "band together for strength", it's "us against them".

[mycroftca.livejournal.com]

How often have you discussed religion with black people, or overheard their conversations? Just asking.

[silver-huskey.livejournal.com]

Hmm... *scratches her head.* Well, as far as I can tell, discrimination moves in a lot of different circles. Race, gender and sexuality are biggest three in this country. Yet, one particular minority group (I'm using this term to describe those who are discriminated against) may not be sympathetic to another. Ie, if you're black and oppressed you may not have any sympathy for gays. If you're a white woman and oppressed you might not have any sympathy for blacks. If you're a gay white male, you may not have any sympathy for blacks or women (regardless if their race). Etc, etc. What seems to be a clear issue regarding oppression is not, and probably won't be for quite some time. I find that strange, because homosexuality and in many more cases bisexuality has been around much longer than the social construct of race.

It depends on who is in a privileged position. Though it's not mentioned much, there is still a huge level of inequality in this country. Race and gender are the main basis and everything else sort of follows. However, homosexuality is openly talked about, much like race used to be decades ago. So those in a privileged position of being heterosexual will openly chastise those who are not, regardless of their own race and present (inequality hasn't gone anywhere, it has just hidden itself in new forms) oppressions.

I almost never have these discussions in RL. As someone who is black, I've found that no one wants to discuss such a topic, with a even a somewhat open mind. Well, at home and among family anyway. ^_^;

[silver-huskey.livejournal.com]

*ssshhh...* He might secretely be on the "down low" and enjoy it. XD

[unclekage.livejournal.com]

Human beings are essentially intolerant of anything that is "different." It only becomes a problem if you are the one that is "different." Then you can bitch and moan about how awful everyone else is for treating you badly. But someone who is "different" from you -- hell, we don't want them living in THIS neighborhood!

It reminds me of a song...


Oh, the white folks hate the black folks,
And the black folks hate the white folks.
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek.
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise,
As long as you don't let 'em in your school.

Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks,
And the rich folks hate the poor folks.
All of my folks hate all of your folks,
It's American as apple pie.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans 'cause it's very chic.
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand.
You can tolerate him if you try.

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Moslems,
And everybody hates the Jews.

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
It's National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It's only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!

(with gratitude to Tom Lehrer).

[greenreaper.livejournal.com]

So he disagrees with you, and you're going to smack him around the head with a history book for doing so? Isn't that exactly the definition of bigotry - intolerence for other people's opinions? I'm sure you could get a (Marriage == (person & person)) bumper sticker to advertise your own view rather than seeking to quash his.

Also, aren't you discriminating between black people and white people by having differing expectations? Race equality means that people have the right to be disagreeable with your views in equal proportion no matter what their race (and should be, otherwise there is still a race bias out there). Expect no less, and don't assume that one group is in your pocket just because they had their own troubles in the past. If race is still an issue, perhaps you should get a gay black guy to do the talking instead.

As others have said, just because people support one cause, don't assume they support another, or feel that they should. Not all black people are strong supporters of all civil rights movements, just as not all Republicans oppose them all. There are other factors unique to each individual, many of which go far deeper than the colour of a person's skin. In particular, expecting someone to support a movement that they think is morally wrong is always going to end in disappointment one way or another - and religion is all about morals.

History lacks relevance to those who did not live to see it - I wasn't around fourty years ago, and nor were you, nor were a large proportion of American voters. I don't think gay marriage is a bad idea, but I do think you will convince more people by focussing on the benefits it will bring to society than you will by trying to appeal to their sense of history. Lots of people don't have one.

[giza.livejournal.com]

> So he disagrees with you, and you're going to smack him around the head with
> a history book for doing so?

Only in a metaphorical sense. I'm not saying he needs to be physically assaulted, but that I think some education is called for.

> Also, aren't you discriminating between black people and white people by
> having differing expectations?

If by "discriminate" you mean "make a distinction", then yes. Historically speaking, black people on a whole have a long history of being treated poorly, both here and in other parts of the world. Can you point out any periods in history when white/caucasians were a minority that was treated poorly? I cannot recall any. So yes, I'd have reasonable expectation that a black person has slightly more experience of being treated poorly than a white person.

> I don't think gay marriage is a bad idea, but I do think you will convince
> more people by focussing on the benefits it will bring to society than you
> will by trying to appeal to their sense of history. Lots of people don't
> have one.

You'll get no argument from me. My main complaint (and the reason for writing my post) was that it seems kinda sad how quickly people forget history, and what things are like when the shoe is on the other foot, so to speak.

[greenreaper.livejournal.com]

Can you point out any periods in history when white/caucasians were a minority that was treated poorly? I cannot recall any.

Perhaps not in the USA. It's happening right now (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,2772-2100080,00.html) in post-apartheid South Africa. Of course, part of the motivation here is too much memory . . . and a desire for revenge.

[triggur.livejournal.com]

...A notion that absolutely enrages a lot of black people.

Some see ABSOLUTELY NO PARALLELS between their valiant struggle and our disgusting hedonism.

[thraxarious.livejournal.com]

It has something to do with how those who are oppressed tend to be far more cruel when they are in a position of power.

Its common among abused family members, the children of parents abused as children tending to becoming abusive themselves, insuring a circle of violence.

Look at Israel, pushing out palestinians and resorting to tactics some call inhuman.

Back and forth, back and forth... hate and death.

I think that a people once opressed by another should be given a 10-50 year period where they work up to self rule in order to let wounds close over. Let some third party with no stake in the land or people govern and help transition.

[mrianti.livejournal.com]

Racist Bigots come in all colours shapes and sizes ,
I wont say how many Gay Bigots I know , but they do exsist .

[khakiwolf.livejournal.com]

Well, as I learned from my experience at work, months of sexual and physical harassment are equal to ONE racist statement made in a fit of anger said against said person.