The late 20th century and early 21st century saw amazing changes in our world. Communism came to a fall in the Soviet Union, Apartheid came to a fall in South Africa and the first same-sex marriages were legalized in the Netherlands(Although similar arrangements took place in old Chinese, European and Roman cultures, but I am referring to the modern understanding of a marriage). In 2006 South Africa joined as one of the first 10 countries that allowed same-sex marriages (civil unions). In 2008 the first African American was elected as president of the United States of America. If you look at these facts it does look positive; the world is changing and humanity is opening its mind to more possibilities. The question is whether these facts are really representative of humanity as a whole.
Since Barack Obama was elected as president of America the right wing gave him more than his fare share of trouble. Especially from Donald Trump who first questioned whether Obama was born in America (It is American law that only those who are born in America may become president). Secondly, after Obama produced his birth certificate, Trump is now questioning Obama’s education. Trump is implying that Obama was admitted at Harvard Law School On The Basis Of Affirmative Action. It is true that leaders from both the right wing and the left wing criticized Trump for these attacks on Obama, but the criticism is mostly about the way in which Trump conduct himself. The point I am trying to make is that even though America elected their first African American president, leaders in America is far from putting aside discrimination based on race.
The same apply to discrimination based on sexual orientation. It is wonderful that 10 countries are allowing same-sex marriages (I know perfectly well that some are civil unions, but I fail to see the difference), but that is 10 out of 192 member states of the United Nations. Lets be serious, 10 out of 192 is 5 % of all countries and since some of those countries are rather small it is even less than 5% of all people that are offered the choice. On the other side of the spectrum there are still 80 countries where homosexual acts remain illegal, and in 5 of those it is punishable by death. Although 10 countries (5%) allow same-sex marriages, 5 countries (3%) will kill you for it and 80 countries (45%) will send you to jail.
I think it is fair to say that the phrase “Times are changing and we live in a new world”, that I have heard for the last forty years are just as untrue today as it was forty years ago. I am not the negative type, but if South Africa is one of the 10 countries where same-sex marriages are allowed, I will not even be so quick to say that 10 countries changed in the last forty years. South Africa is hardly without racists, homophobes and al other forms of bigotry.
So where does that leave us? I am worried that many members of our family live with the idea that the fight for our rights has been won; that there is no need to join forces, no need to stand together and no need to be part of a struggle. Yes I know that not all of us are the parading type, but what will you say when the rights that were fought on your behalf are taken away? I am not negative but realistic; our government is not known for its dedication towards the rights of minority groups. The same rights that you take for granted can be taken away without giving it a second thought; and the majority is not going to fight our cause for us.
So where do you stand in all of this? I know I for one am really worried not only about the danger from without, but also about the passivity from within.
This week's Cobrabite
By Andrew Blade
Cobragay
Dr. Andrew Blade
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