In a year when a woman and a black man are competing for the Democratic presidential nomination, America yet again is still able to show its narrow-mindedness. When it comes to sexual orientation, the nation is still far behind.
On February 12, 2008, a 15 year-old boy was shot in the head in Oakland, California. Why would the murderer do such a thing? As it turns out, the victim identified himself as openly homosexual. Lawrence “Larry” King, a student at E. O. Green Junior High School, was shot in the head by his 14 year-old classmate, Brandon McInerney.
Just when it seems plausible to think that a diversity of sexual orientation is as prevalent in this country as a multitude of races and cultures, another Matthew Shepard tragedy is on America’s hands. Despite the progress that society has supposedly made since that 1998 catastrophe, it is still acceptable to discriminate just the same based on sexual orientation, and there is no urgency in the actions being taken because of this.
The media coverage of this incident has been oddly non-specific. Many reports only briefly, if at all, mention the factor of King’s homosexuality. It seems that society is not even ready to accept the idea that such a young child could already be associating himself with an alternative sexual lifestyle. Even in the tragic case of his death, as it is with King, the media is choosing to ignore the social issues raised by this debacle.
What is the fear here? Is this country still too ignorant to acknowledge the idea that people can still be murdered simply for being gay? While we may hope to have moved past this stage, I believe most people would not completely count this factor out. Rather, I think the issue lies in the ignorance of this country to accept the fact that a young boy could in fact be gay…and, tragically, he could also be killed for such an act. Freeing oneself from the heterosexual chains of our culture is what Larry King felt that he needed to do, yet he was not allowed to enjoy this liberty of new life for very long.
Is it fair to blame Brandon McInerney? The young boy of only 14 years has been raised in some sort of culture or upbringing which told him that it is acceptable to take such actions against a homosexual person. The fact that one’s sexual orientation could be used as a justification for murder showcases the extreme lack of societal awareness for this pressing social issue. As a population in this country, we seem to be living in some delusion that we have moved past the days of Matthew Shepard and extreme ignorance. However, the same story of the same ignorance is being told a healthy ten years later.
Hatred is still ever-present. These children, like McInerney, are growing up in families that believe it is okay to be intolerant of homosexuals. They are being told by many public and religious figures that these acts of homosexuality are wrong. These children are growing up to commit crimes of hate among members of the LGBT community in America, and the country is not even concerned to stop it from happening.
The voice of LGBT activism in America is ever-dwindling. What was once a full-blown fire of social movement has been terribly calmed down. America is left with almost solely a debate over gay marriage, which is really just rooted in a distraction from other pressing national issues that the government would rather refrain from discussing. This dwindling national momentum must be sparked again to make this country aware.
On February 12, 2008, a 15 year-old boy was shot in the head in Oakland, California. Why would the murderer do such a thing? As it turns out, the victim identified himself as openly homosexual. Lawrence “Larry” King, a student at E. O. Green Junior High School, was shot in the head by his 14 year-old classmate, Brandon McInerney.
Just when it seems plausible to think that a diversity of sexual orientation is as prevalent in this country as a multitude of races and cultures, another Matthew Shepard tragedy is on America’s hands. Despite the progress that society has supposedly made since that 1998 catastrophe, it is still acceptable to discriminate just the same based on sexual orientation, and there is no urgency in the actions being taken because of this.
The media coverage of this incident has been oddly non-specific. Many reports only briefly, if at all, mention the factor of King’s homosexuality. It seems that society is not even ready to accept the idea that such a young child could already be associating himself with an alternative sexual lifestyle. Even in the tragic case of his death, as it is with King, the media is choosing to ignore the social issues raised by this debacle.
What is the fear here? Is this country still too ignorant to acknowledge the idea that people can still be murdered simply for being gay? While we may hope to have moved past this stage, I believe most people would not completely count this factor out. Rather, I think the issue lies in the ignorance of this country to accept the fact that a young boy could in fact be gay…and, tragically, he could also be killed for such an act. Freeing oneself from the heterosexual chains of our culture is what Larry King felt that he needed to do, yet he was not allowed to enjoy this liberty of new life for very long.
Is it fair to blame Brandon McInerney? The young boy of only 14 years has been raised in some sort of culture or upbringing which told him that it is acceptable to take such actions against a homosexual person. The fact that one’s sexual orientation could be used as a justification for murder showcases the extreme lack of societal awareness for this pressing social issue. As a population in this country, we seem to be living in some delusion that we have moved past the days of Matthew Shepard and extreme ignorance. However, the same story of the same ignorance is being told a healthy ten years later.
Hatred is still ever-present. These children, like McInerney, are growing up in families that believe it is okay to be intolerant of homosexuals. They are being told by many public and religious figures that these acts of homosexuality are wrong. These children are growing up to commit crimes of hate among members of the LGBT community in America, and the country is not even concerned to stop it from happening.
The voice of LGBT activism in America is ever-dwindling. What was once a full-blown fire of social movement has been terribly calmed down. America is left with almost solely a debate over gay marriage, which is really just rooted in a distraction from other pressing national issues that the government would rather refrain from discussing. This dwindling national momentum must be sparked again to make this country aware.
There needs to be a new voice to stop this hatred and violence. Political leaders need to speak out. When hate crime legislation is still not all-inclusive of crimes committed based on premises of sexual orientation, the veins of our country’s political landscape are still fully pumping with ignorant blood, and it is far overdue to move past these times. Until national action is taken, the system will not change. While it is important for all people to make a difference themselves, the only way to ignite the nation is through this country’s leadership. At all levels, be it parents, teachers, politicians, or preachers, this message of tolerance and urgency must be spread. The time to act is now.
1 comment:
I totally agree. I just don't understand how we can look at the equalization of rights between whites and blacks or men and women, but not see the parallel to gays and straights. Not giving gays the same rights as everyone else is sending a mixed message. When the government turns around and says gays aren't second class citizens when it comes to lynching...but they are when it comes to marriage, I have to wonder what the logic is.
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