Now that we have made history with our president elect, Barack Obama, we can now wonder what other historical moments are to be created within the near future. We know that Americans are up in arms about Homosexual Marriages. We also know that even though the California Supreme Courts declared it legal for Homosexuals to marry in the beginning of this year (2008) a majority of the same people who voted Barack Obama into office were the same ones who voted for Proposition 8 (to eliminate the rights for homosexuals to marry in CA). And though our President Elect has verbalized that he is for Homosexual marriage, will our country ‘tis of thee see the light… and soon?
Whether we wish to admit it or not, our country is more sexist and homophobic than racist. Not only do we now have a black president prior to a woman president and not only are Homosexuals still denied rights that Homosexuals have, black men had the right to vote before white women did. With this in mind, we must be mindful that LBGT/ women’s right are NOT at the forefront of the concerns of most of our population. If anything, our country is still "fighting" to maintain the status quo of men and homosexuals being superior.
However, if we can overcome such obstacles as racism we can still maintain a certain level of faith in the American people. Though we do not yet know what tomorrow will bring, we must continue to be as our ancestors when it comes to fighting for civil rights. We must be untiring, determined, peaceful, patient and hopeful. There will come a time where LGBT/ women’s rights will be equal to those of Heterosexuals and men. When this time comes, we will be just as shocked at the atrocities committed against LGBT’s and women as we are of the atrocities committed against those because of racism.

© Erica N. Belcher, December 2008