Homophobia and intolerance rears its ugly head - again.

The Larry King killing

I swear, the ages involved just seem to get younger and younger. I had a professor recently tell my class that she feels that homophobia is almost gone. She said look how much as been accomplished, look at how free we all are now! I say bullshit. I say that our world is seeing a new breed of hate, one that is deeply internalized within American culture, hidden behind "positive" stereotypes seen on reality TV shows that supposedly help marginalized groups attain centrality. However, what do you say to the fact that there have been more teen and child perpetrated hate crimes and killings committed in the past seven or so years then there ever were during the so called "second wave". Children are not born racist and hateful, this sentiment must have come from somewhere in their social environment. It comes from America's parents, and it comes from religion, and it comes from mis- education, and it comes from shit TV, and trash talk shows that spread hysteria and problematize the Others (those not the norm) instead of spreading truth, and especially from our government that denies gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans gendered, gender fluid, etc. folks basic rights such as the right to not be discriminated against and fired within the workplace based on perceived sexual orientation and identity. Wake up America, even if you don't individually identify as any of those groups, the ability to fire people based on perceived sexual orientation and identity means everyone. It means an infringement on every single person in this country's rights, and we should all be concerned for ourselves and for each other.

Larry King, the boy who was killed, was 15 which is the age of my brother Matt. The idea that my brother, or others his age, could do something to express themselves and their perceived identity that could get them killed in THIS COUNTRY is absolutely disgusting. This country is one of the most hypocritical that I know of. Our government goes on and on about the atrocities committed in "third world countries" and conflict areas, but denies its own citizens rights that set the stage for persecution. Isn't it this country that allows the KKK to continue? And we all know they are a brand of homegrown terrorism and hate if one ever existed. Oh Amerikka.

How do we combat this violence? How do we combat the media, the government, the religion? Its overwhelming to think about. These are things that we all need to be thinking about, even if we don't have kids, even if we didn't know Larry King, even if we don't live in California, even if we think no one we know is gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans gendered, queer, these are things that we need to think about. Things we need to CARE about, follow up on, look for innto. These are issues that we need to stand up for, not let pass us by when we realize that someone is being a complete ass. I truly believe that we all have the responsibility to educate ourselves, our friends, and our family if nothing else.

Yes we can

The only one

It blows my mind, and backs up my convictions, that the Obama website is the only one out of the three leading Democratic candidates to discuss "first Americans" i.e. "the indians." The forgotten nation within our oh so great one. Plus, not only does he talk about issues and law that are relevant only to first Americans, he specifically addresses the issue of violence against women on reservation land. He also discusses child abuse, drug abuse, weapons abuse, abuse by non-reservation members (reservation law cannot penalize non-reservation members) , etc. Could it be that we actually, FINALLY, have a politician who is ready to bring to the center those who were silent in the margin? Hillary Clinton says nothing about Native women, or Native Americans in general (boy, she really is a champion for women isnt she), and neither does Edwards. I really want to highlight the contrasts between Obama and Hillary. Looking at a candidates website is, I think, one of the best ways right off the bat to get to "know" them. Its just like picking an art college, when you get all those brochures in the mail. Colleges are going to put the best art they have on their brochure. If the art on the brochure is trash, chances are the college sucks. So, right off the bat see who is and especially who isnt included in an individual politicains wide lensed view of the world.

*Obama includes: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, African Americans, Americans abroad, Environmentalists, First Americans, Kids, Latinos, LGBT, People of Faith, Students, Women, Vetrans.

These are all off of his official website. One thing that Ive always thought was cool about his site is that he has a drop down menu for "People" which is where I got the titles I just listed. He also then has a drop down menu for "Issues." In doing this I really feel he is acknowledging individual identities, not just issues, but the very personal (perhaps most personal) category of who we know ourselves to be and who we want to be known as in the broader sense.

Clinton includes: To be honest Im not really sure. She says shes the "Champion for women", she talks about immigration, strengthening the middle class, affordable healthcare, improving schools, providing vetren services. So I guess that means all the people who fall under those broad topics, whoever they are. In my opinion, when people are lumped together like that someone (and some grouping of people) are going to fall through the cracks.

Both sites allow people to read it in spanish, which is good.

On a purely asethetic note, Clinton's site is super ugly. Sorry, it is. She needs to get a new web designer. So if her site was an art college brochure, Id throw it in the trash.

One last thing, I really appreciate that on the very first page of the Obama site there is a button that says "Register to Vote" I hate it when people assume that everyone has registered to vote. Especially because alot of times minority groups are scared away from not only voting, but registering to vote. The Obama site provides a safe, personal place to take even the first step. Once again, the Obama campaign is doing a great job at bringing the marginalized to the center.


Look/think for yourself! : http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
http://hillaryclinton.com/

I love my friends

So, my winter has just become officially better! Thanks to the wonderful Trisler fam. + some homemade goodies ( Brooke and Andrea, youve been gone 20 minutes now and Ive eaten all of the candy you left) my 2007 year is coming to a close on a very happy, sugar filled note :) Im def. always aware of the fact that I miss all of my out of town friends like Andrea and Brooke,and Liz, but nothing highlights that like a visit. Its easy to take for granted friendships unfortunately. Seattle is only a flight away, and cellphones and the internet make communication around the clock possible....but none of that even comes close to a nice cup of coffee somewhere and a few hours to talk, or a boardgame night and some chips and salsa on the weekend. I suppose I will just have to move to Seattle- haha, how horrible ;)

November in Ohio

Its getting to be that weird time in Ohio, in terms of weather anyways. It snowed this morning for about 20 minutes, yesterday it was in the high 50's. I cant figure out whether or not I should buy a real winter coat, Ive been layering sweaters up until this point. Not to mention that I cant quite afford a real winter coat just yet. Im getting to the point where I need to take a vacation (even a daytrip!) out of the city. Im jealous of friends who live close to mountains...I live close to Burnet woods...I guess thats better than nothing. The other day I was walking home from class and decided to walk through the woods to get home instead of taking the street. I took some stairs that I hadnt ever seen before, and I found the coolest place. Its called Moira's Bog ( theres an official sign and everything) and its this tiny little bog right by the lake. Theyve built a pier that goes out into it and is totally surrounded by cattails. It was so peaceful, almost too peaceful to exist in the middle of Clifton! Its the times when you go out of your way, with a little bit of time to spare, that you really find the cool, hidden things in the middle of your busy, chaotic life.
Maybe theres a life lesson in there somewheres....