The last few weeks have been a slight bummer; we can't seem to get a break of seeing the glaring issues that still reside in our country. Our country can say we are striving for reforms in terms of civil equality but from Dr. McCauliff and the the messages the class is trying to establish, I make the argument that this is all rhetoric with crossed fingers, with a mean grin. Which also brings up that preconceived notion that rhetoric has a crooked tendency, touched on quite frequently throughout the first weeks of class and as an underlying theme from then on. The LGBT community have been fighting for now years for legalized marriage yet the trend of homophobia is still rampant. I have friends that are deeply homophobic and know of others that take fairly ridiculous actions to avoid gay couples; literally stepping off of a side walk from passing a couple. It is utterly despicable and pathetic, just because of a sexual orientation that differs from the norm, we act completely uncivilized over. Due to America's tendency to be Christian in religious followings, it also doesn't help that in some interpretations, but not all, of the Bible label homosexuality as sinful. I will end with that on religion as I do not plan to argue over religion, bash, or criticize, however it is an issue that must be noted. It also does not help that any type of ethnicity or sexuality that does not conform to white american or heterosexual orientation depicted in popular media has to conform to a since of moderation. We can only approve of each type in small doses, within a specific context and under regulation. We admire Ellen for her stance and her coming out (but only after time had settled after the storm that had been caused from that moment), but god forbid we see her partner and their affection towards each other. But it is totally okay for our white ethnicity to display damn near pornographic footage in everyday life throughout popular TV. Just watch an hour of MTV, you'll get an idea.
And after watching how sports constructs the hyper masculinity and militarism in popular culture, both differing ethnicities, gender and sexualities are still in jeopardy. It is a tragedy, but it is a reality. Homosexual men oppressed to come out due to hyper masculinity in sports is shameful. Women being oppressed against pursuing a passion within sports, also a complete shame. Who ordained one person to strip a human of their rights and of their status as an equal? What is so hard to comprehend that we are all human beings, all with common goals of living life to its fullest potential? And yet we still struggle with the acceptance of equality, the acceptance that of ethnicities other than whites as being equal; I still see our ethnocentrism showing with our blatant world policing and other ridiculous acts of hegemony.
I am filled with so much anger and sadness; why can we not live in a world of peace? Why must be war with others? Why must we have violence within our relationships? And our popular culture and media gratifies and conforms to these issues. Why is equality such a hard thing to come by in this day and age? We still have a long road ahead of us before we can fully be happy with our situation. I believe classes and mentalities that Dr. McCauliff are selling (don't misread that statement) are future hopes for us. We, as a collective body, can show our underlying issues to the public. We have a duty, now, to promote progressive trains of thought and these can be simple thoughts, too; the mentality that everyone, you, me, him and her, are equal. Culture is a beautiful thing...it is also a terrible thing. We have the power to make a change.
http://religions.pewforum.org/reports/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_and_homosexuality
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