Speaking out

The US is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world.  We are the host of the UN and are a pivotal part of the world economy.  We are a God fearing nation and as such should be practicing the creed of the Christian majority—do unto others as you would have done unto you.  We are not doing this.  I am dismayed by the attitudes of some toward gay folks in this country.  This morning I read an article on CNN {http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/28/arkansas.anti.gay.bullying/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn} about an Arkansas school board member that wrote an extremely derogatory message on Facebook.  I am torn about this post and this man’s right to express himself.  Though I strongly believe in a person’s right to express themselves in any forum, if you are in a public elected position—especially where there are children and young people involved—we need to hold them to a higher standard.  Once again, I firmly defend his right to say what he wants—but not as an educator or policy maker.  We all know how the public reacts when other elected officials—Senators or Representatives—have made derogatory statements.  They are held to a position of authority and should be held to that higher standard of conduct.  They were elected to represent all of their constituents regardless of who they are and as such, they should not be making any kind of derogatory remarks.  I believe that if you are an elected official, you should not be speaking in a public forum in such a negative fashion.  If you believe that strongly about the issue, you should not be in that type of position and accordingly, should step down.  Again, I defend the right to speak about anything, anywhere.  The fact that this particular comment came from a simple request by GLAAD to remember those who have committed suicide for anti-gay bullying—in a public forum, makes it even more despicable.  The message was insensitive, inflammatory, and downright crude.  “The only way I will wear a purple shirt is if they {gays} all commit suicide” is not the type of message we should be getting from an educator or policy maker.  We as Americans should be teaching our children tolerance and acceptance.  Instead we have groups of ultra-conservative christian (with a small c) individuals spreading messages of hatred and intolerance, dividing the nation.  We need to step up as a country and do what we have done throughout the entire history of our country and right this wrong.