Even those of us who believe the Constitution protects us know that a ruling in our favor will only be as secure as at least 2/3 of the states will let it be. That's why we have to keep up our efforts to change the political culture.
This is how we are doing it: A brief conversation in South L.A., where an African-American woman, who obviously does not feel comfortable even talking about the subject is kindly but firmly helped to actually think about the issue directly.
I don't know who Jay, the lesbian canvasser is, but hers is the face of the last mile in this revolution. Thanks to all the Jays out there.
10 Comments for “The Revolution in 3 minutes and 7 seconds”
posted by Dan L on
Three-quarters. A constitutional amendment needs to be passed by two-thirds of both houses of congress, but must be ratified by three-quarters of the state legislatures (or state conventions).
posted by katie on
Why did you feel it necessary to point out the race of the African-American woman without also identifying the race of the white woman? It seems to both underwrite the association of whiteness with normativity/neutrality and to condescendingly promote the idea that homophobia is something white people help black people overcome.
posted by Debrah on
“It seems to both underwrite the association of whiteness with normativity/neutrality….”
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Your use of “normativity” as it associates itself with the new and wildly hilarious gem—“heteronormativity” is the only revolting element in this scenario.
“…..and to condescendingly promote the idea that homophobia is something white people help black people overcome.”
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It distresses me to have the supreme task of explaining that the “African-American” population represents an exponentially higher percentage of those against SSM and just about anything else having to do with being “gay”.
Nothing condescending about facts.
It will, however, require that some walk through the door of reality. It’s been left ajar.
posted by katie on
debrah, you really need to look up what the word “exponentially” means.
and facts may not be condescending, but your use of italics sure is.
and I also think you might want to look up the definition of “facts.” because you don’t seem to be in possession of them on this issue.
http://ta-nehisicoates.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/prop_8_and_blaming_the_blacks.php
posted by Debrah on
“…….you really need to look up what the word “exponentially” means.”
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Well, let us see.
Exponentially can mean an unlimited rate of increase. I’d say that the birthing of babies who are subsequently raised with the same value system as their parents (overwhelming anti-gay in the black community) as something which could be characterized as exponential in nature.
Exponential growth can relate to the number of microorganisms in a culture that will grow exponentially. Typically the first organism splits into two daughter organisms, who then each split to form four, who split to form eight, and so on.
Metaphorically speaking, this is a feature of most so-called “groups”. The customs and beliefs are passed on…..and become exponential in number.
I’ll put on my chapeau which has been specifically designed for “academy speak” and we can parse words all day long.
Your sonorous pretensions aside, which “group” in California was most supportive of Prop 8?
As most people outside the academy have long realized, and as many inside the academy are discovering, Zinn-esque drivel doesn’t play as well as it once did.
posted by Debrah on
Yikes!
Let me get rid of those repetitious double quotes. I don’t wish to be reprimanded on a technicality.
(“…..you really need to look up what the word ‘exponentially’ means.”)
OK, fine. All pedants can rest easy.
posted by katie on
debrah,
please read the link I included. the initial exit polls which reported that 70% of African-Americans voted for Prop 8 were later found to be wrong. 52% of the people in Cali voted for prop 8; 58% of African-Americans and 59% of Latinos. So clearly, that is not exponentially more; it is not really even that much more at all. And black people were only 7% of the electorate.
So. you are absolutely wrong that black people are exponentially more likely to be homophobic.
and yes, exponentially, means to increase in the way you described: 2, 4, 16, 252…by a factor of 2. the fact that 58% of one group voted in favor of prop 8 compared to 52% of the entire group is not at all exponential. I also understand that exponential is used in a more figurative way, which is what you were doing (I know you weren’t being literal) but still, I really don’t see how you can honestly describe that slight difference as exponential.
posted by katie on
http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/issues/egan_sherrill_prop8_1_6_09.pdf
here’s a study issued by the Gay and Lesbian Taskforce that breaks down the vote.
It turns out that Republicans were the most likely to vote for Prop 8 with 80% of Republicans voting yes, which makes them even more in favor of Prop 8 than highly religious people, of which 70% voted yes.
So. the most anti-gay marriage: Republicans/Conservatives at 80%
#2: the very religious at 70%
#3 those over 65 at 67%.
and actually, in terms of race, it was Asians and not whites who were the most supportive of marriage equality…so, no matter how you slice it, black people were not the group “most supportive of Prop 8.”
posted by Debrah on
katie–
Here’s your direct Atlantic link.
Take note of the writing skills in that post.
To wit:
“The faultiness of exit polling is well known. But when it comes to blacks, we believe the worse and ask questions, uhm, like never.”
Does anyone believe that the world of pollsters is obligated to give remedial English classes to those polled in order to ensure accuracy?
To be completely candid, I have no doubt that most polls are inaccurate; however, given the lack of the most basic comprehension by those on the street (Example–Jay Leno’s well-known street skits with passersby), I would place scant confidence in the percentages used in that post.
This is a desperate attempt to cover for what happened in California. I don’t have the time to do the research just for this comment, but all should know that many, many reports were done on this subject matter. And by those less biased.
Most gay organizations as well as black “activists” feed off each other at the grievance trough. They’ve been working overtime to do damage control on what clearly was illuminated in California.
One black lesbian blogger—(wow! what a life of “angst” and contrived “grievances” and navel-gazing that must be)—always attempts to play down that element of the black community.
I’ll leave the natives to fight among themselves……for rarely will anyone tell the truth regarding how they voted when confronted by pollsters.
And here’s the direct link to your GL Taskforce pdf.
You’re entitled to your set of percentages.
It’s breath on a mirror.
I’ve also read polls that stated people ages 35-65 are less likely to vote for SSM. Those under 30 have been crowned as the great hope.
Tomorrow there will be yet another poll coming from some other “group” that needs a stroke from SSM proponents or a politician who needs their votes. (Can you say Barack Obama? How is that working out?)
I don’t know the exact percentages on the Prop 8 issue, nor does anyone.
Guesses at most…….“guesses based on what each set of time and change is touching.”
I do know not to trust polls and tendentious assertions put forth.
It’s like asking some mother whose child was hit and killed by a drunk driver whether or not she will support MADD.
Duh!
posted by katie on
if you don’t trust polls, then how do you know black people were disproportionately responsible for the passage of Prop 8?