Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Challenged by Ideologies
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I've heard a lot lately about Sarah Palin and her new book. I've heard that she was on Oprah, that her book has many factual discrepancies, and that she was promised $5 million for the book, which is mostly a slamming of the McCain campaign which was largely responsible for propelling her to a place of national recognition.
All this new about Palin really pisses me off. It really scares me to hear people say things like, "She is thinking about 2012." I start to wonder how a world could possibly allow someone like her to exist and how people could be so blind to her tricks and lies.
And then I remember that a lot of people feel the same way about Barack Obama, someone that I greatly respect and look to as a hero. Even though Obama is a role model for me, many people wonder how in the world he was elected, why he was given the Nobel Peace Prize, and how so many in America could blindly follow his rhetoric and politics without questioning the implications for our lives.
These two people - Obama and Palin - represent in many ways two opposite poles in American politics and worldview right now. Perhaps "ideology" is too strong a word, but perhaps not. An ideology is often deeply set into a person's psyche, and they look for evidences that affirm their ideology, willingly ignoring evidence that contradicts.
Is this how I approach Obama and Palin? Is my mind already made up? I got Obama's book from the library and gave it my best attempt at a read (I can't make it very far into political books). Should I do the same for Palin's book? Trying to read it with an open mind and willingness to change?
If nothing else, I want to be aware of my harsh attitudes, my fears, my inconsistencies, and do my best to be charitable and loving towards a different ideology than my own. Because another part of ideologies is that the people who hold them are genuinely trying their best to do what they can to make the world a better place. Even if we disagree on what that "better world" might look like, we can at least join hands in the effort.
All this new about Palin really pisses me off. It really scares me to hear people say things like, "She is thinking about 2012." I start to wonder how a world could possibly allow someone like her to exist and how people could be so blind to her tricks and lies.
And then I remember that a lot of people feel the same way about Barack Obama, someone that I greatly respect and look to as a hero. Even though Obama is a role model for me, many people wonder how in the world he was elected, why he was given the Nobel Peace Prize, and how so many in America could blindly follow his rhetoric and politics without questioning the implications for our lives.
These two people - Obama and Palin - represent in many ways two opposite poles in American politics and worldview right now. Perhaps "ideology" is too strong a word, but perhaps not. An ideology is often deeply set into a person's psyche, and they look for evidences that affirm their ideology, willingly ignoring evidence that contradicts.
Is this how I approach Obama and Palin? Is my mind already made up? I got Obama's book from the library and gave it my best attempt at a read (I can't make it very far into political books). Should I do the same for Palin's book? Trying to read it with an open mind and willingness to change?
If nothing else, I want to be aware of my harsh attitudes, my fears, my inconsistencies, and do my best to be charitable and loving towards a different ideology than my own. Because another part of ideologies is that the people who hold them are genuinely trying their best to do what they can to make the world a better place. Even if we disagree on what that "better world" might look like, we can at least join hands in the effort.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
What's More Scary Than Halloween Costumes?
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Although it was attached to the Defense Spending Bill, President Obama finally signed an updated hate crimes bill into law, which amazingly was first introduced to Congress 13 years ago. The language now includes protection for people from "attacks motivated by race, religion or ethnicity [including] gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people."
As someone who not only believes in gay rights, but also has family who is disabled and works closely with mentally disabled individuals, in my opinion, this is a huge deal. It's a shame that it's taken so long from the United States (the home of the "free"?) to pass a law like this. It's also a shame that it has to be attached to a Defense Bill (irony?) But at least there is finally federal protection for everyone. I wonder how many people outside of the specifically named and protected groups recognize what a big deal this really is? What does that show about our deep-seated and unknown prejudices?
Some states report absolutely NO hate crimes committed on the basis of sexual preference every year. Zero. With such widespread social mores and standard forms of ridicule, how could this be possible? Because abusing someone who is "different" has never been understood to be a law before. It was just putting things back in the "natural order," the "way it should be."
But it is never, ever, acceptable for anyone to commit a hate crime based upon any criteria. And I am continually thankful and proud of President Obama for standing up for equality and justice in real and practical ways.
In case we ever think that hate crimes against those who are "different" aren't common or simply aren't a big deal and so this bill is a silly thing for the government to spend time on, the following video from The Onion points out just how commonplace negative and derogatory language and cultural opinion are regarding transgender individuals. It's important to remember the satirical nature of The Onion, and recognize that while they make fun of people, they are pointing out the common flaws we all share. Its a funny video, because it's true.
And that is more scary than any halloween costume you can find.
How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son
Although it was attached to the Defense Spending Bill, President Obama finally signed an updated hate crimes bill into law, which amazingly was first introduced to Congress 13 years ago. The language now includes protection for people from "attacks motivated by race, religion or ethnicity [including] gay, lesbian, transgender and disabled people."
As someone who not only believes in gay rights, but also has family who is disabled and works closely with mentally disabled individuals, in my opinion, this is a huge deal. It's a shame that it's taken so long from the United States (the home of the "free"?) to pass a law like this. It's also a shame that it has to be attached to a Defense Bill (irony?) But at least there is finally federal protection for everyone. I wonder how many people outside of the specifically named and protected groups recognize what a big deal this really is? What does that show about our deep-seated and unknown prejudices?
Some states report absolutely NO hate crimes committed on the basis of sexual preference every year. Zero. With such widespread social mores and standard forms of ridicule, how could this be possible? Because abusing someone who is "different" has never been understood to be a law before. It was just putting things back in the "natural order," the "way it should be."
But it is never, ever, acceptable for anyone to commit a hate crime based upon any criteria. And I am continually thankful and proud of President Obama for standing up for equality and justice in real and practical ways.
In case we ever think that hate crimes against those who are "different" aren't common or simply aren't a big deal and so this bill is a silly thing for the government to spend time on, the following video from The Onion points out just how commonplace negative and derogatory language and cultural opinion are regarding transgender individuals. It's important to remember the satirical nature of The Onion, and recognize that while they make fun of people, they are pointing out the common flaws we all share. Its a funny video, because it's true.
And that is more scary than any halloween costume you can find.
How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son
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