A matter of race
I am responding to a news item that appeared in the Aug. 11 edition of Windy City Times. In the article, a member of the Log Cabin Republicans was reportedly assaulted by "an unknown [ B ] lack male." This description of the alleged attacker was provided by the Chicago Police according to the same article.
For what purpose was this cursory description provided to your readers? Clearly, because of its limited nature, it could provide little or no help in apprehending the suspect. What it can and probably will do is foster and/or reinforce racial stereotypes.
Should individuals walking in the NewTown neighborhood where the incident took place now cross to the other side of the street if they see a African-American male walking toward them? Or maybe they should have their cell phones out at a ready to call 911?
Street crime is a serious matter. I have been the victim of it more than once. A dear friend was murdered in the street. But please let's not make matters worse by appealing to our lowest instincts. Doing that it seems to me would only put us on the same level as the perpetrators of these crimes.
David Klein
Chicago
Love and marriage
Letter to the Editor:
What's happening in both the national and local LGBT-rights movements? Thank God that the gay-rights movement has a life of its own, and is not dependent on the HRC or Equality Illinois. Same-sex marriage will be a reality most likely within the next two years in spite of our so called political leadership.
A few more states have recognized same-sex marriage: Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont have joined Massachusetts in granting same-sex matrimony, as has the District of Columbia. Only the last three have approved gay marriage without judicial intervention.
Both HRC and Equality Illinois seem to think that the issue of human rights is a chess game. You just have to make the right moves and some well-placed political endorsements, and you are going to achieve equal rights. Add to that visiting the politically correct bars to make sure you have funding for paid staff. In my opinion, both organizations have done some good for our community, but they also have done some harm.
Our collective memory can be rather short. Remember when HRC joined Freedom to Marry, ACLU, Lambda Legal, GLAAD, Victory Fund [ Note: This is the letter writer's strikethrough. ] , Log Cabin Republicans and PFLAG in denouncing the Perry v. Schwarzenegger lawsuit, saying in an open letter, "Rather than filing premature lawsuits, we need to talk to our friends, family and neighbors, and help them understand why denial of the freedom to marry is wrong." Unfortunately, this same mentality is at play in Illinois.
Then some of these same groups flipped their position and wanted to be part of a history-making judicial decision in overturning Prop 8. The response was quick, and it came from Chad Griffin, one of the plaintiffs and the head of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which is funding the lawsuit. He said, "You have unrelentingly and unequivocally acted to undermine this case even before it was filed. Considering this, it is inconceivable that you would zealously and effectively litigate this case if you were successful in intervening. Therefore, we will vigorously oppose any motion to intervene."
It's time to introduce same-sex marriage in the Illinois General Assembly, even if the above organizations are married to civil unions. Concerning the endorsement of political candidates for elective office for the fall elections, you scratch my back and I will scratch yours. Equality Illinois should be promoting same-sex marriage and not civil unions. Separate but equal has never worked.
Sincerely,
Joe Murray
