Acceptance? Not here, thank you
October 17, 2007
By Brandi Simmons
First let me disclose my "agenda." I'm a straight, white 20-something resident of Baton Rouge. My friends are a diverse mix that include black, Mexican, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, atheist and Christian men and women. I've been a long time supporter of all of them. That's my right as a citizen of a democratic country -- and honestly, my duty as a human being -- to be equally welcoming and fair to people regardless of their background or beliefs. Unfortunately, last Wednesday's Metro Council meeting showed me my city won't be sharing the same sentiment.
I attended the meeting with the intent of supporting the One Baton Rouge resolution, which, in a nutshell, is a paragraph of language stating that our city encourages diversity and welcomes everyone, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality or religion. It encompasses all areas where intolerance is often an issue. Somehow, however, the Metro Council's debate devolved into a witch-hunt about how the resolution would destroy our community.
I listened as Baton Rouge residents took turns giving their three-minute speeches at the mic on why we should or shouldn't implement One Baton Rouge's mission statement. I was appalled to hear people speak of how the "gay agenda" is at work here, mentioning everything from pedophilia and bestiality to statistics on how gays spread disease.
I heard black men, who have been discriminated against all their lives, stand up and say it's OK to discriminate against others because of their sexuality.
One man even felt it necessary to mention that we have three mosques here, and that he knows what Islam is really about.
I'm ashamed to know that these same closed-minded people are the teachers, doctors, judges and religious leaders shaping the minds of our youth, and are deciding what should or shouldn't happen in our city, the city I love and have been proud to call home my whole life.
The tone of the meeting was so full of hate that I expected these men to pull out torches. Looking back, I'm shocked there weren't picketers waving those oh-so-clever "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" signs. While sexual orientation is indeed a facet of this, it does not singularly represent the intent of the resolution. The resolution is about tolerance for everyone.
Despite all the negative, intolerant comments I heard, I was relieved to hear from several supporters, all of which presented educated, responsible cases for adopting the resolution of acceptance. A rabbi responded to some of the arguments made by some of the speakers who, citing their Christian beliefs, referred to scriptures as the basis for their arguments. The rabbi pointed out that, as Jew, he reads the Bible in its original language, Hebrew.
A handful of other community leaders spoke in support of the resolution, encouraging and welcoming diversity, and opposing intolerance.
I also listened to a weeping parent tell of his gay son who had to move away because he wasn't welcome here. I was one of many in the room moved to tears, including at least one Metro Council member.
Social workers, church parishioners and business leaders also stood up and urged passage of the resolution to create a better city for everyone. I thought to myself, these are the intelligent, open-minded people who should be leading our city, our strongest ambassadors, taking a stand by showing there are people here who will welcome and accept everyone equally.
But in the end, even though the resolution was a non-binding, non-legal symbolic gesture intended to send a positive message in a weary world, the motion failed.
All that was needed were seven votes, seven Baton Rouge leaders willing to stand up to the moral bullies and religious zealots to say yes, let's make Baton Rouge a more welcoming place. Only six Metro Council members voted for it; one abstained, and two weren't even present for this portion of the meeting.
It gave the fleeing creative class another reason to leave, and it gave people like me, lifelong residents who have whole-heartedly supported this city and loved living here, reason to ask whether it's worth staying here.
Comments
Posted by darrengauthier on October 17 at 2:39 p.m.
Think of it this way: six voted for the resolution and only one more was needed. Things are not so bad if only one heart and mind is all that needs changing.
Posted by Leadfingers on October 17 at 4:17 p.m.
Isn't it equally unfair for you or any group who draws attention to themselves, for whatever reason, to expect acceptance rather than working for it? Gays, Hispanics and Black people alike have been insisting they get a certain amount of respect and that they should be the ones to determine how much effort is needed to earn that respect. Perhaps if these people stop expecting and insisting that they be accepted perhaps they will finally begin to blend in. In my eyes, their behavior is comparable to spoiled children in a crowded supermarket screaming and crying at the top of their lungs because they were told "no". Perhaps those same people you are defending should also look inward and stop blaming all of their problems on an "Unwelcoming" society.
Posted by emmym on October 17 at 8:01 p.m.
What if when we look at someone we don't see gay or Hispanic or black? What if we see a person, who just like most other humans, does their best everyday to live their life with as much joy and happiness as possible. Maybe at that point no one would feel the need to scream like a child in a supermarket because they were told "no". Maybe at that point groups would not feel the need to use time and energy to propose a symbolic resolution that would issue a welcome to all to our city. We are all the same in our differences; some differences are just more apparent than others.
Posted by Leadfingers on October 18 at 2:21 p.m.
I, like most people, don't see race, religion or sexual orientation untill it's thrown in our faces. This problem we speak of is a two way street. I would prefer that people who wish to be part of, and accepted by, society stop trying to stand out and expecting people to act against their nature.
The tolerance preachers insist that certain segments of society are unwelcoming and intolerant. It's political correctness at it's worst. I can tolerate many things, even children screaming in a crowded store, but don't expect me to like it! People tolerate that which they ultimately have no control over but don't expect them to roll over because you think that makes them mean selfish people.
I'm sure many people could tolerate living next door to a homosexual couple, but don't expect us to be welcoming when they insist on Gay pride parades. How in your face and against the grain do they have to be for people to recognize theres an agenda? I have no doubts that Hispanics, by race, are accepted quite easily but when they can't or refuse to speak English in public it's going to draw attention and resentment. Most people don't have a problem with blacks until groups of gangsta wanna-bes stroll around your favorite mall cursing and , thanks to hours of exposure to loud music, can't carry a conversation without shouting. It's not their color mind you, it's the culture they embody.
Many of us are guilty of prejudice and yet we are called racist or homo-phobes when we are simply guilty of profiling. Their are few people alive that haven't made assumptions about others. Picture a man with a viking hat and a buisiness suit on that is waiting for the train. You can't say that you wouldn't be curious what the deal with the hat is. Some people might stop and ask him whats up with the hat, others will come to their own conclusion while another group my shrug it off and go on about their business.
Most people see what they want to see and if a person is expecting to be treated differently then generally they will feel as though they had been. If you expect to see racism then I have no doubt you will see it. I don't like homosexuality because I don't think it's natural or godly. That being said, someone is bound to be offended that I feel or think differently than they do and perhaps will feel they must educate or enlighten me. Instead of accepting me and respecting my beliefs. Do you see my point.
These groups and their supporters aren't asking for acceptance but rather demanding it and when they don't get it right away they start with the "small mind" insults or pull out the race card as a means to devalue peoples opinions as well as their values. Perhaps if you stop demeaning and defaming those who disagree with you it might be a bit easier to win them over.
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