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Today many will claim that we must surrender the word marriage or accept some sort of separate but equal arrangement. It didn't work in the African-American struggle for freedom and it doesn't work for us. We want full equality with the same rights, benefits and privileges as all other Americans now. We say to those friends, allies and even in our own community who want to accept that second class citizenship, "Oh No You Don't!" We will accept no compromises, time-lines, incremental approaches with our freedom. Don't counsel patience as if this is a new issue. We have been fighting these ballot box bigots for over three decades. Enough. ...it is clear that the political establishment in Washington doesn't understand that we no longer willing to wait until it meets their timetable or political needs. President Obama standing on the sidelines in Maine and Washington was appalling. The failure of our national organizations and leaders to demand his involvement was equally appalling. The outrageous act of the Democratic National Committee sending an email into Maine asking Maine Democrats to call into "NEW JERSEY" instead of to support the fight against bigotry was unbelievable. No one gets to sit on the sidelines in an epic battle against apartheid and no one gets a free pass. If you want our support, you have to earn it. We are way beyond where we will accept a little bit in 2009, some in 2010 and maybe more in the second term. Does anyone think after yesterday election results and the upcoming 2010 election, Obama has the ability to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and "DOMA" next year? Does anyone really believe we haven't already missed a historic opportunity in the first 10 months of this year? Only a courageous fighting President and Congress can now help turn us this around and that we have not seen so far. Enough. Finally, yes, as a community we have every reason to be proud. We raised the money, we made the calls, we came not in anger and we made the case. My hats off to the brave people, gay and straight, of Maine and Washington who fought in the trenches. We all are so proud of you and to be part of your community. You have no idea how much we love you for your work, dignity and honor. However, it is no longer acceptable to be viewed as brave, patient warriors in defeat. I don't want to be a brave warrior, I want to be a free one. Enough! http://www.davidmixner.com/2009/11/election-part-one-enough-no-more-enough.html#more And one comment: In each of the Civil Rights movement in the United States and the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa, courageous and often brilliant leaders made their cases and compromises and provide brilliant examples of rhetoric and political savvy. However, in both examples the oppressed group exerted influence through the threat of violence and/or explicit violence. The Black Panthers were not rumored to be exactly "civil," and the story goes that MLK Jr. used exactly that as a foil in negotiations with Kennedy. In South Africa the struggle against Apartheid was often explicitly cast as a "war." Nelson Mandela and his cohort were not sent to Robbins Island for the sake of a good story -- they were, in fact, "dangerous." Some ANC action during Apartheid could easily be compared to acts of domestic terrorism; others to an organized insurgency. So, if you (and I, and many) are frustrated to the point of saying "ENOUGH!" of politically pandering for civil rights, then what is the counter-proposition? [...] http://www.davidmixner.com/2009/11/election-part-one-enough-no-more-enough.html#comment-6a00d8341c90b153ef0120a6a85f1b970c |
