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Sorry Gays, Blacks Only
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by abogan157 | November 19, 2008 at 09:15 pm
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The struggle for Gay civil rights such as gay marriage is less important than the struggle was for Blacks to have civil rights, according to the failed Republican Presidential candidate and ex-Arkansas Governor turned Fox News TV host Mike Huckabee. While being interviewed on the ABC bitchfest "The View," Huckabee stated that he believed the struggle for Gay civil rights such as marriage doesn't compare to the Black struggle for civil rights.
Blacks did have to go through slavery and then fought a war for freedom and equality. President Lincoln may have abolished slavery, but that freedom and equality didn't come until nearly 100 years after his presidency. Black Americans did go through hundreds of years of abuse and were made to feel totally inferior to whites. But as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere."
Mike Huckabee is wrong for saying the gay struggle isn't as relevant or important as the black struggle for civil rights. A massive group of people do not have the right to marry or have their marriage recognized by the state. I am so proud of all of the journalists who have been covering such stories as the Proposition 8 protests. But I am even more proud as an American student journalist that citizen journalists have felt a responsibility to cover this story as well.
On November 4th, voters decided to ban gay marriage in California, Arizona and Florida. This sparked not only massive protests of the prop in and around Los Angeles, but it sparked protests all around this country including our foreign allies in England and Canada. I cannot believe the people of this country who just elected a Black President, not too long after segregation was the rule in many parts of this country, are the same people who voted to ban marriage to people based on their sexual orientation. It blows my mind!
I wasn't as shocked though that more than 70% of the black community in California voted to ban Gay marriage. I'm a black American who is a California native and I can assure you that their decision was a religious one. The Bible defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. Blacks are conservative when it comes to an issue like this. I'm not trying to justify their vote, but I'm just trying to make you understand where they are coming from because I know my community. Again, I'm black in California.
Mike Huckabee might as well say the struggle for women's rights wasn't and still isn't as important as the black struggle for civil rights. Huckabee cites specific examples of abuse that blacks have received over the centuries and even in the 21st century. Just because the behind the scenes abuse of gays and women in their struggle for rights and equality isn't as visual with black and white images of abuse doesn't mean it hasn't happened.
I first read about and watched Mike Huckabee's interview about this subject on the liberal blog Huffingtonpost.com. Their story led me to Towlelroad.com and their piece led me to liberal blog Think Progress.com. I think this story needs to be forwarded to other people. With talk about Huckabee possibly making a second run for President for the Republican Party in 2012, people need to know where he stands on this issue. Maybe by then at least the California Supreme Court will have overturned this ban. I can only imagine what Huckabee would have to say about that.
One other interesting thing about Mike Huckabee's interview is that he spoke about this issue on ABC's "The View." Even though the show annoys me time to time, *cough, cough* Elizabeth Hasselbeck, this show is really doing the job of most journalists these days; asking all of the tough questions to our politicians. I remember they grilled John McCain only weeks before the election and his very big mouthed aides said he didn't like that very much.
I think Fox News and MSNBC can be too partisan to ask the tough questions. But, I'm glad to say "The View" made sure to ask those questions. I can respect Mike Huckabee for his opinions, but I am very disappointed that he feels the way he does. I feel like people like him are keeping this country from moving forward. Sorry Gays. Mike Huckabee says civil rights are for blacks only.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (18)
at 22:01 on November 19th, 2008
abogan 157, thank you for this story. Dr. King is absolutely right "Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere." I would encourage readers to go directly to Huffington Post and follow the links your story mentions. A very good read!
at 02:42 on November 20th, 2008
I agree with Huckabee. Blacks were ill-treated for them being black which was no fault of theirs whereas gay people do not undergo such humiliation or the like and even if they do, it is not from birth; it is because of the choice they made and they need to face the consequences of it.
at 15:28 on December 15th, 2008
"Health" says: "gay people do not undergo such humiliation (as blacks) or the like and even if they do, it is not from birth; it is because of the choice they made and they need to face the consequences of it."
If you are hit over the head with a baseball bat or murdered, does it make a difference if you are gay or black?
If you are prevented from marrying because you "have chosen" to like vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate, do you think that's fair?
Is being beaten up and prohibited from marrying a natural consequence of being gay?
Your arguments are preposterous, but I'm betting most people see that instantly.
at 07:20 on November 20th, 2008
Health, as parent to a gay male child, I can assure you that sexual preference is not a choice. Additionally, if you believe that "gay people do not undergo such humiliation or the like...", I would suggest that you visit Murdered for Being Themselves: Gay American Hereos.
at 05:16 on November 23rd, 2008
Rhonda, I understand how you feel- its your child and alot of parents feel the same way. But what it boils down to is choice. people are killed for choosing to be gay, just like people are killed for choosing to wear a red shirt or blue shirt (inner-city gangs), just like people are killed becuase they choose to be Religiouse (jews and christians). choice is a behavior. Blacks do not choose to be black, just like women cant choose to be a woman. Civil rights is equal opportunity for all people - not "all behavior".
at 05:27 on November 23rd, 2008
Let me clarify one point here, my above comment does not mean that I think killing people for the choices they make is ok. what it means is the term "civil rights" should not be applied to the fight for homesexuality acceptance. as far as I am concerned Gays are accepted just fine, and they make more money and they pack more political power than any other group of people. all they want is to be married. but "Marriage" is a religiouse term, stated by the bible to be between a man and a woman. for them to demand Marriage is like me demanding that we change the word "black" to mean "white". its just not ligical. its really a situation where the entire world must come up with a new name for religious unions that would fit same and opposite sex unions. its just not logical, and just plain selfish.
at 08:34 on November 23rd, 2008
The1stvoice, I am glad to know that you don't "...think killing people for the choices they make is ok." Here again however, every human being has the right to civil and human rights. Additionally, the definitionn of marriage pre-dates recorded history, and has played a variety of roles in a variety of cultures. An interesting article on the origins of marriage can be read here.
at 08:07 on November 23rd, 2008
The1stvoice, thank you for sharing your thoughts. You are entitled to your opinion. I would beg to differ however that you understand how I feel. Additionally, family rejection is rampant among gay and lesbian youth; almost 42% of all homeless youth nationwide identify as gay or lesbian. I would also beg to differ that "people are killed for choosing to be gay,..." People kill people for a variety of reasons -- in this case I would argue that a religiously indoctrinated mind lends greatly to an intolerant society, and is the root cause for violence against gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, and transgenders. Every human being has the right to civil and human rights, even criminals.
at 22:12 on December 13th, 2008
you are correct "the definitionn of marriage pre-dates recorded history, and has played a variety of roles in a variety of cultures:, however all of the roles have been between male and female!and it doesnt matter how many kids these days identify themselves as gay becuase in about 3 months the'll switch back to being straight! being gay or striaght its an option for kids. and of course every human being has the right to civil rights, i am not denying that. definition of marriage becomes perverted by allowing same sex couples to marry. the arguement for this status for same sex couples is not a civil right issue, and is frankly very disrespectful to the black community.
at 22:19 on December 13th, 2008
Marriage is a status offered by the church. governement has nothing to do with that nor civil rights for that matter. A black man will still be black when he wakes up tomorrow, but a straight guy can wake up and decide to be gay, just like a gay guy can WAKE UP and decide to be straight.
at 22:27 on December 13th, 2008
I don't believe that for a second!
at 16:04 on December 15th, 2008
to "The1stvoice" -- Same-sex marriage hurts no one. It creates new families, it does not--as some religious people assert--threaten already existing families.
The only arguments widely circulated against same-sex marriage are based upon religious belief, not fact (regardless of biased studies that wouldn't pass scientific muster). That makes those arguments invalid for civil, legal purposes. A person making the argument in court that "it's an abomination in the eyes of God!" would be--well, laughed out of court.
The "definition of marriage" does not matter in the least in this discussion. A civil union, which is what legal marriage is, has been defined with respect to its rights, benefits and responsibilities in the U.S. for a relatively short period of history. It is that definition of "marriage" (and not a religious definition of marriage) that gays and lesbians wish to be more inclusive of various types of legally-recognized unions and legal commitments between two persons.
Religion, whether you are Christian or Mulsim or Mormon, is fine, but it has absolutely no place in this social discussion regarding same-sex marriage.
at 01:21 on December 21st, 2008
steve_d : Thank you for the feedback. I stand corrected- same sex marriage hurts no one (although i never said that i dont think...). Religion has no place in polotics- again your right. and just for the record No one called anyone or anything an Abomination here.
I do not want to spew religiouse talk all over leagal matters here. So gay couples need to drop the word "marriage" and find a new definition- becuase religiouse termonology doesnt belong in politics. and you said yourself - "A civil union, which is what legal marriage is, has been defined with respect to its rights, benefits and responsibilities in the U.S. for a relatively short period of history."
what I am mainly against is using the term "Marriage" in same sex unions. I am not against same sex couples comitting to civil unions, and I think if same sex couples want to commit to such unions and have all the tax, and other rights that a "marriage" has i am all for it! I am begining to understand what the movent is really about. I also think a new definition needs to be made. becuase the idea of "marriage" when thought it by a man and woman IS religiouse based. becuase thats where they learned the term. thats where the term "marriage' was CREATED. whether they are religiouse or not, the simple definition of a union between man and women is founded religiously and defined accordingly. state and goverment can do what they wish, just find another term and do not ask same sex couples to give up the traditional term of what thier marriage means. does that sound better, amd I sounding more informed yet?
at 22:45 on December 13th, 2008
I think you are mistaken in your opinion or approach "the1stvoice(not verified)".
at 23:28 on December 14th, 2008
The blacks have definitely faced a lot more humiliation and abuse than any other community has...!I totally agree with Huckabee..! at the same time each one has got their choice of living their life and no one has got the right to term anyone inferior..!
at 01:22 on December 21st, 2008
by inferior you mean not haveing the same rights in a civil union as a "marriage" would?
at 15:40 on December 15th, 2008
So, now you have to qualify for equal rights? Your struggle has to meet a certain tribal threshold before it is warranted, justified, noticed or acted upon?
at 06:30 on January 13th, 2009
Gays have always insisted on trying to piggy-back the struggle of Africans in America. Mr. Huckabee is correct in his statements. Most white gay liberation fighters forget their own inner racism and their need for acceptance through a political agenda that becomes nothing more than a divisive means to say i suffer more than the next. The emotions are displaced. I believe that gay white people need to search what oppression really is and stop emotionally battling over whether they can compensate monies from their partners due to marriage. Get scientific and make your dreams come true without thinking you are hiding y then, you will accomplish your hearts desire. As for the African American this saying holds true..."can a leopard change his spots can an Ethiopian change his color? Chattel Slavery and the African American experience is beyond your thought process (clearly).