Thursday, June 28, 2012

Reaching the Boiling Point

"It's going to get worse before it begins to get better".  As the struggle for Equal Rights continues, as predicted, the battle is becoming much more heated.  And, bitter.  And, dangerous.  In just the past 72 hours alone, there's been a major escalation in the verbal and physical attacks on the LGBT community, as well as their supporters.  Sadly, there's been one death.
Anyone with access to the Internet, and particularly those who have facebook accounts, are aware of the furor that was caused recently when the makers of the iconic Oreo cookie showed their support for the LGBT community.  In response, the lunatic fringe, LGBT-hating extremists went into full attack mode.  Some of the venomous things they posted as comments brings full light to the dangerous climate members of the LGBT community are facing today.  If you think for a minute that the hatred and intolerance these adults routinely show doesn't have a major impact on the bullying and LGBT teen suicide rate or the level of violence against members of the LGBT community, you're wrong.
Over the weekend, Cory Oden, an LGBT man, was brutally attacked simply because of who he is.  For the simple "crime" of being a gay man in America - the country that's supposedly the "land of the free" - Cory endured a brutal attack that could've very easily claimed his life. Just because he's a gay man in America.  If you get the time, and are so inclined, please do go show Cory some love and support.  Here's his facebook page.  I was reading some of his wall posts moments ago.  This has been a life-changing event for him, obviously.  
As I lay here on my porch swing looking at the sky, sorting all the jumble in my brain. I can't stop thinking about all the people in the world suffering. Maybe it be acts of hatred, maybe it be dying loved ones, maybe even just as simple as you don't know how you're going to pay your rent and survive in what seems to be a cold hard world. I've got quite the battle approaching. Everyone knows its a tough one to rise above and conquer. We have to remember to keep the faith and love flowing through our veins. Whatever struggles you are facing, whatever the outcome may be, just remember to always let your voice be heard and make some noise!!! You never know who just may be listening ♥
 In Portland, Texas, a lesbian, teenaged couple was found shot in the head.  Nineteen-year-old Mollie Olgin succumbed to her injuries.  It hasn't "officially" been classified a hate crime at the time of this writing.   Of course, that's not to say that it wasn't.

So, there you have it.  In just under 72 hours, one dead, one in critical condition, one in serious condition.  What's my point?  If you go back to the insanity of the attack on the Oreo's ad on facebook, and read the comments, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the LGBT community is under attack...that "they" have declared war on members of the LGBT community and its supporters.

Here's the point:  what we're starting to see is a culture that's reaching its boiling point.  The religious fanatics and the homophobic extremists are multiplying rapidly, just as we are on this side of the battle line.  For all of their holiness and deep-rooted "Christian" faith, they're leading us into, essentially, a war right here on our own soil.  Their verbal assaults have been dialed up to fever pitch.  Violence against members of the LGBT community is rising in both frequency and severity.  And, people are losing their lives.

Of course, this mentality isn't anything new in this country.  They killed blacks for sport as they fought for their rights.  Isn't it ironic that these people who profess to be good, "God-fearing Christians" are so comfortable with hatred, intolerance and, worse, the death of those they oppose?  Perhaps, for them, fearing God is in their best interest, after all.

13 comments:

  1. when i get all angry and upset, i have to remember that 'they know not what they do'. no matter what, we are right, we are good, and we will still live our lives regardless of the bigotry. they will learn, and in their own time. we've seen it happen. so let it go, and let God. --paraphrased from my 88 year old grandmother. and do not call her granny, she WILL hit you. <3

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    1. Make no mistake, they know exactly what they do. That's what makes their behavior so heinous.

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    2. and nothing else needs to be said here. Thank god not everyone gets pulled into this propaganda crap. <3

      Fuelling peoples' hatred to battle other peoples' hatred, will only bring a whole lot of hatred.

      Be who you wish yourself to be, and surround yourself with those you wish to surround yourself with. You'll find a comfortable, happy place, that nobody could harm.

      and it's all good and well saying "we should be fighting to be together, not apart."
      But first, fighting is never the answer. Using logic and patience will get you any result you wish to get. Propaganda will only fuel an army full of hate.
      Second, some people just do not need to share the same space. We get all the patient and loving people, separate them from the hateful, war-loving morons, they'd only learn to hate each other and kill themselves, whilst we managed to just live and enjoy life.
      Of course, this is far from practical. But we can change the world, one person at a time.

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    3. "Be who you wish yourself to be, and surround yourself with those you wish to surround yourself with. You'll find a comfortable, happy place, that nobody could harm."

      Tell that to Mollie Olgin. Oh, no wait, you can't.

      Delete
  2. Why it's so difficult to just love each other for what we are? Why if I respect straight, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, woman and man... Children and older ones... I guess I'm just another person who does not stereotype people... Hope one day we live happily everyday!!

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  3. To quote one of my favorite songs:

    "Sometimes we get angry, but we must not condemn. Let the good Lord do his job, and you just pray for them."

    I'm not much of a pray-er, but all of you will be in my thoughts. And I will be rooting for you, every step of the way.

    Sincerely, a Christian sick and tired of all the hate.

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    1. I like your signature; may I take and use it?

      This whole thing seems simple to me: "Love your neighbor as yourself" shouldn't be this hard, should it? And read Paul's writing - the old law doesn't apply anymore, people! That means Leviticus. And besides, the bible has been translated and re-translated so many times that a word that only shows up a few times is probably being mis-translated by now! Especially since Paul invented it.

      I am not, and will not be, convinced that there is a prohibition against homosexuality in the New Testament, and even if there WERE that does not excuse the HATE some of these radical rabid "Christians" spew. We're told "first remove the plank from your own eye" and "judge not lest ye be judged"... Why is that so hard for these people to grasp?

      People shouldn't be labeled as homosexual, pansexual, bisexual, heterosexual, white, black, Indian, Asian, or whatever. People are just people.

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  4. Enough gays have died or been beaten so seriously.
    To quote my favorite songs
    "let the bodies hour the floor, let the bodies hit the floor, let the bodies hit the floor.... Somethings got to give"
    I'm not usually a violent person, but who is next? Your sister? Your brother? Your best friends? You? Me? No. no more. An eye for an eye. The only solution us to fight back. Stand up, make a change! Not be docile and wait for something to happen.
    "true insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results"
    So my last question is ARE YOU CRAZY?
    SINCERELY
    A PISSED OFF LESBIAN

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  5. Thanks for what you do and best of luck in your fight for a better world and justice for all.

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  6. I once heard someone say "you will be judged by God as you judge others." all I can say is to the "Christian" fanatics... Your surely completely screwed!!!

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  7. You seem genuine and like a good soul, but this is not how fighting for your equal civil rights and hate crimes goes. Of course it's a fight, every step of the way, and a fight many of us have been deeply embedded in for many many years. Advice of "just let everyone be and show more love" will inevitably just lead to more people getting critically injured and killed. Sorry, but it's terrible advice you are giving, no matter how honest your intentions are.

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  8. just to give you background, Cory was drunk, and got into the wrong car by mistake, when they saw him, he was pulled out of the car, called a "fucking faggot" then beaten....by a COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIAL. I'm not condoning what was done in any way, because it was wrong. I just wanted to clarify that it wasn't a random attack, and what "provoked" it.

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  9. Please remember everyone, "It's always darkest just before the dawn." We need to band together and spread love! The only thing that can cure hate is love and knowledge. I hope everyone remains safe, strong, and proud!

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