Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Nissa's Third Exploration



“They now had suddenly gained a new type of courage, and it seemed as if they didn't care anymore whether their identities were made known. We were now dealing with human beings.” Deputy Inspector Seymour Pine ended his interview with that quote. He had dealt with his own discrimination in his time, and I believe that’s why he felt the compassion that he did for those in that first Stonewall movement. His opinions on the individuals within the bar were never made clear, but whatever they were, he knew that they were his opinions. These were people that were facing troubling times just for being who they were. That’s a big step in realization. Just because someone differs from another doesn't make them any better or any worse. And it shouldn't make them any more susceptible to discrimination or abuse. As Rivera said, “I know you were just doing what you had to.”

Pine’s final quote was very important in wrapping up everything that needed to be said. The people in that bar that evening had had enough. They were no longer willing to deal with being pushed around and told to leave establishments for “masquerading.” Pine’s made an important note of this. I don’t think he was necessarily seeing them on an equality level. It wasn't them fighting back that put homosexuality and heterosexuality on an equal playing field. Humanity is all about a struggle. Not so much as a constant stress or pain, but the struggle of living. When someone gives up and just goes along with what life tosses at them, is it really considered being alive?

No.

Those who finally stood up and rebelled against the absurd legal and social laws were breaking away from being just a herd. They were done with being told how to live their life and being treated like cattle. They were standing up for their right to live. Rivera fought for something and that constant fight to never give up and keep moving on is what breathes life into being alive. Without it, there’s not much left.

In our society today, we're becoming a bit more tolerant, abolishing ridiculous rules involving social relationships and what you’re allowed to wear. (It is still noted that gender is a social construct. Wearing a dress or wearing a pair of pants does not mean a label can automatically be slapped on. It’s not that cut and dry.) But there are still problems, with all types of discrimination. Gay rights are still being debated over; who’s allowed to marry who, and when, and what rights are given, when it shouldn't be debated at all. These are people—human beings that deserve the exact same rights.

The president’s inauguration addressed the issue of gay rights saying "If we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” He discussed this very true point along with a couple bills that would be passing through congress soon about legal rights in marriage.

It’s an important issue that many tend to overlook because it doesn't concern them. But I think it should concern everyone. Love and compassion should be more abundant than law declining the love between two people and the freedom to do as one pleases (when it is clearly not affecting anyone but themselves.) Even if it doesn't concern someone, the struggle is still there. People are struggling everywhere to show that they’re alive, and sometimes it takes more than just those concerned to help the cause.

4 comments:

  1. I truly enjoyed your post. Also, I do agree with your point of view. I do think that as a country, we are on course to end all of this nonsense.

    I have family members who are very passionate about the issue because they themselves are affected by it. And as you said, it shouldn't just be them that are concerned with it.

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  2. I really liked reading your post. I can tell you worked really hard on it and did plenty of research. The beginning quote you picked was absolutely my favorite quote from the story as well. I really think it was a good riot because it made the homosexuals be viewed as people and they finally gained some of their rights and equality.

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  3. The very last line of Pine's was my favorite quote form the profile as well. It almost brings the reality of the bad things in the past to life. I mean sometimes I feel like we read about this history and never realize how real it actually was and real people went through this. Wonderful post!

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  4. This was a very well written post and the issues you touched on were very detailed. It is interesting though that as a country we are starting to change the way that we think about theses groups of people. I am very sure that this will be a hot topic talked about in the next few years.

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