The idea that there is a schism between various human rights issues
is dangerous. While there is often a variety of reasons for the lack of
basic human rights in differing groups, this does not mean they are
unrelated. Nor does it mean that each individual struggle against
oppression operates in a vacuum.
The belief that different human
rights movements should not work together is one of the single greatest
ways for any and all of those movements to be greatly hindered, or even
blocked entirely. For a group to say that it only wants the aid of
those fighting the same fight does nothing but strengthens the
opposition and reduce the support base of those working for their own
rights.
I mention this because of Erin Nanasi's recent post "Women’s rights and LGBT: It’s not a competition".
Both in her article and in the comments that follow, there is mention
that women are in no place to complain when the LGBT community has it so
much worse. There is also mention that for the LGBT rights movement to
join forces with women's rights and the atheist community would "cloud
the issue at hand".
These claims utterly ignores certain key facts, ones
that have consequences for all human rights groups. Whenever any group
of individuals has its basic rights under attack, those that look to
revoke these rights are rarely content to stop there. To those in any
of these groups who think that the fight for their rights is a stand
alone issue, I ask you this: Do you really think that they will be
content to stop with just one group?
Time and time again we have
seen such bigots and hate mongers use their successes in opposing or
removing the rights of one group as a test bed for future attacks. If
their backwards views can be accepted against one group, they will
quickly begin to branch out and start targeting other groups more openly
and with increased vigor.
The rolling back of women's rights has dire consequences for the
LGBT movement, and vice versa. For the more radical of a 'win' against
one group, the more bold they will become and the more they will want.
It tells them that just because rights have been established in the
past, there is nothing stopping them from stepping in and taking that
all away. If they succeed in their attack on women, what is to stop
them from more aggressive attacks against the LGBT community?
In
fact, the LGBT community has a lot to lose with the loss of rights for
women. By setting up such a standard, not only does it make future
attacks against them more likely, but it also reduces the influence of
half of its own population. When women's rights are mentioned, it is
not just straight women, it is every woman. This would be a set back
the LGBT community can not afford.
But the inverse is true as
well. Any gains in rights of one group can strengthen the cause of the
others. Any win for those who see all humans as deserving of basic
rights not only stop the advancements of the bigots, but it also frees
up many supporters to help in the fight for rights in other areas.
While this has, sadly, not always happened, we must not let dissension
from the past carry over into our future. With every win, those in
favor of rights have had other violations revealed to them for which
they can fight against. We cannot afford to be content with one area of
success and must strive for more as the forces against us never tire.
With
disgustingly large numbers of those in the LGBT community faced with
the possibility of rape, women's rights become even more vital. For if a
straight woman cannot get the proper care after being raped, what hope
will someone that the establishment sees as less have?
To those
who claim that such a unified fight clouds the issues at hand, I will
admit there is some truth to this based on the nature of politics. It
is impossible to strive for all rights in one fell swoop and they must
be fought on a myriad of fronts. Sometimes, the establishment will use
the connection of one group to another against them, saying that they
are supported by 'immoral' individuals. But this misses that such
statements are attempts to scatter and dis-empower those who fight for
their rights. It is a move to shatter the support base and reduce the
number of voters in support of an issue. We cannot allow such tactics
to win because we believe that we have to play by their rules. We are
the ones who are in the right after all.
Now this should not be
seen as a statement in support of those who struggle in one area to drop
what they are doing and focus on something else. This would only
destroy what those groups have fought so hard for. Instead, I am
stating that the work of one group does not negate the work of another
and can help their ultimate cause in the end. The fight for human
rights is a universal thing, it is something everyone who has been seen
by society as less deserving wishes to correct.
So to every group
that has been pushed aside by those in power. To everyone who has had
their rights kept from them because of the beliefs of the religious. To
all that want more for their future, let us not fall into petty
quarreling that will only hinder us all. Let us fight side by side
against a common enemy so that, one day, none of us will have to be
afraid.
Showing posts with label humanism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humanism. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
The We Are Woman March
With all the idiocies that the GOP led congress has put forth and all the state led offenses, enough is far more than enough. Bearing the blunt of such assaults has, quite often, been women. A prime example of this being the recent congressional hearing on contraception that denied women the chance to speak.
The list of offenses is both large and infuriating. Still more seem to be coming daily. So to combat this, a new group is starting up and plans to demonstrate against such ignorance and intolerance. And by new I mean it is just being organized now.
The group has been named The We Are Woman March on Washington D.C. It has been started by Erin Nanasi, fellow writer and, I would like to think, friend over at Mad Mike's America. Erin composed a video to explain the reasoning and need for this, which I have included to help spread the word (the original post can be seen here).
So please, spread the word, the time for this sort of action is well past due. If this idea can come to fruition, then perhaps there is a chance to work towards getting some change done. Or at the very least, prove to the GOP that we are not about to stand back and let them do as they wish, that, as Erin said, women are not chattel.
I shall include more information in future posts as it becomes available.
The list of offenses is both large and infuriating. Still more seem to be coming daily. So to combat this, a new group is starting up and plans to demonstrate against such ignorance and intolerance. And by new I mean it is just being organized now.
The group has been named The We Are Woman March on Washington D.C. It has been started by Erin Nanasi, fellow writer and, I would like to think, friend over at Mad Mike's America. Erin composed a video to explain the reasoning and need for this, which I have included to help spread the word (the original post can be seen here).
So please, spread the word, the time for this sort of action is well past due. If this idea can come to fruition, then perhaps there is a chance to work towards getting some change done. Or at the very least, prove to the GOP that we are not about to stand back and let them do as they wish, that, as Erin said, women are not chattel.
I shall include more information in future posts as it becomes available.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Happy Darwin Day
On this day in 1809 in the town of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, a man was born who's name would become synonymous with the diversification of life. Described as a "gentleman naturalist" by his friend and botanist, John Stevens Henslow, Charles Darwin would become one of the most celebrated scientists in history. On this day, 203 years later, we celebrate the life of a man who's curiosity and passion for the natural world allowed humanity to understand its connection to every other organism that we share this planet with.
His insights gave us the first scientifically rigorous explanation for the diversification of species. While his concept of evolution through natural selection has seen many changes throughout the years as new data has been incorporated, the core tenants of his idea are still essential to all of biology.
In fact, one cannot even hope to understand any part of biology without viewing it through the lens of evolution. To do so otherwise would be like trying to understand cosmology without taking gravity into account. And while his revelation has changed the very way we see ourselves and all life, his young self would never have guessed what he would one day accomplish
He started out confused about his future and eventually found himself enrolled in a theological school as a last resort. It was here, oddly enough, that he began his in depth exploration of the natural world. It was through the writings and his friendships with various 'natural theologians', those that believed that through the study of the natural world one could understand the mind of god, that he got a varied training in the sciences and his recommendation for a spot on the H.M.S. Beagle.
He began the trip with the belief that the Bible was a true account and quoted it frequently. But as his work during the voyage continued, he quickly began to have doubts. He noticed that many of the fossils of mammals he unearthed in South America resembled those of living organisms. He started to see connections between organisms all around him. He saw geological evidence for a changing world that acted through entirly natural processes.
He could not fathom how a deity would allow for the extinction of entire species, nor why those extinct species and living ones would share so many common traits. As he continued his sampling of the natural world and his eventual study of those samples over many years, he could not doubt the connections between the various animal species around him. By the time he returned from his voyage, he was openly critical of the bible that he once held so dear and began asking why Christianity would hold a special place in the pantheon of religions.
The more questions he asked and studied, the more he doubted. By the time of his father's death, he had abandoned religion entirely. Though he still would attend a Unitarian church with his wife, Emma, for her sake. He loved her immensely and knew that she did not share his lack of belief. Though many of his children did inherit their father's curious nature and love of science, three of which would go on to become members of the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious scientific groups of the time.
Besides his great insights, Charles Darwin was also remembered for his talent as a writer. Even while still away exploring the world, he gained notoriety within both scientific and popular circles. His notes and journal entries became so well known that his journal, originally a part of a collection of books revolving around the second voyage of the Beagle, had to be published independently to meet public demands. Everything he wrote sold astonishingly well, from his On the Origin of Species to his final work The Formation of Vegtable Mould Through the Action of Worms.
He had a love of the natural world and through it, found inspiration and understanding. And today, on the aniversary of his birth, we celebrate a life that has forever changed our views on the world and ourselves.
To find out if there are any planned events today in your area, look at those registered through The International Darwin Day Foundation.
His insights gave us the first scientifically rigorous explanation for the diversification of species. While his concept of evolution through natural selection has seen many changes throughout the years as new data has been incorporated, the core tenants of his idea are still essential to all of biology.
In fact, one cannot even hope to understand any part of biology without viewing it through the lens of evolution. To do so otherwise would be like trying to understand cosmology without taking gravity into account. And while his revelation has changed the very way we see ourselves and all life, his young self would never have guessed what he would one day accomplish
He started out confused about his future and eventually found himself enrolled in a theological school as a last resort. It was here, oddly enough, that he began his in depth exploration of the natural world. It was through the writings and his friendships with various 'natural theologians', those that believed that through the study of the natural world one could understand the mind of god, that he got a varied training in the sciences and his recommendation for a spot on the H.M.S. Beagle.
He began the trip with the belief that the Bible was a true account and quoted it frequently. But as his work during the voyage continued, he quickly began to have doubts. He noticed that many of the fossils of mammals he unearthed in South America resembled those of living organisms. He started to see connections between organisms all around him. He saw geological evidence for a changing world that acted through entirly natural processes.
He could not fathom how a deity would allow for the extinction of entire species, nor why those extinct species and living ones would share so many common traits. As he continued his sampling of the natural world and his eventual study of those samples over many years, he could not doubt the connections between the various animal species around him. By the time he returned from his voyage, he was openly critical of the bible that he once held so dear and began asking why Christianity would hold a special place in the pantheon of religions.
The more questions he asked and studied, the more he doubted. By the time of his father's death, he had abandoned religion entirely. Though he still would attend a Unitarian church with his wife, Emma, for her sake. He loved her immensely and knew that she did not share his lack of belief. Though many of his children did inherit their father's curious nature and love of science, three of which would go on to become members of the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious scientific groups of the time.
Besides his great insights, Charles Darwin was also remembered for his talent as a writer. Even while still away exploring the world, he gained notoriety within both scientific and popular circles. His notes and journal entries became so well known that his journal, originally a part of a collection of books revolving around the second voyage of the Beagle, had to be published independently to meet public demands. Everything he wrote sold astonishingly well, from his On the Origin of Species to his final work The Formation of Vegtable Mould Through the Action of Worms.
He had a love of the natural world and through it, found inspiration and understanding. And today, on the aniversary of his birth, we celebrate a life that has forever changed our views on the world and ourselves.
To find out if there are any planned events today in your area, look at those registered through The International Darwin Day Foundation.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Beauty is truth, truth beauty
Back in 1819, John Keats concluded his poem "Ode on a Grecian Urn" with the lines:
However, when it was first released, there was a significant debate as to the importance of this line. T..S. Eliot was especially critical with his responce in 1929 of:
The poem encompasses the thoughts of Keats of what historical events a Grecian urn might have 'experienced'. But in the end, it takes all the hypothesizing and wonderment at the possibilities and tosses them aside. It does not do this because it feels they are ugly or useless. Instead, he does it because he realized that, not matter what we might believe, the truth of the universe will always be more beautiful than our beliefs, simply because it is the truth.
This is an idea that has become increasingly lost amongst many. Instead of looking at the beauty of what is, many would prefer to believe the stories of the disenchanted. While not always their fault and, at times, seeming more appealing than what is, this is the kind of thinking that can cripple a mind for life.
Many people feel more comfortable with thinking the universe was created by some deity thousands of years ago for the sole purpose of glorifying it (I will, for simplicities sake, ignore the sexism of the traditionally used pronoun 'him'). But this view is diametrically opposed to the final line penned by Keats. Not only this, but it sets itself up as the opposition to reality and truth itself.
They will often stat that the facts revealed through rational inquiry using a tool known as science is, by its very nature, something that is incomplete. That there must be more than just reality. So they ignore the beauties and truths hidden within in favor of their myths.
I would like to think that they do so not out of spite, but out of ignorance and fear. That they either do not truly know enough about the subject (or had it displayed to them properly) or that they fear it because it is different.
I am sure there are many who find the idea of being told what to do and think comforting. But I doubt that they even realize many of the causes behind such beliefs. It is simply what has worked best for them as they developed, thus they cling to it like a child does a favorite toy.
What such people do not see is that there is a beauty without compare just beyond their grasp. That, for a potential myriad of reasons, they have held fast to their 'truths', instead of looking to the information itself. They see a cold and unfeeling existance without the familair and calming embrace of their beliefs. But this is just an illusion created out of ignornace.
For the universe as we understand it through the lens of science, is more beautiful than we could ever hope to comprehend. Think for a moment that we know, with an incredibly high degree of certainty, the reasons for many things in our universe.
That, despite our various inner conflicts, biological failings and tendency for various forms of cognitive dissonance, we have started to understand the universe that we are a part of. That we have looked into the molecular machinery of life and found an unbroken thread connecting us to every other organism that has, will or does exist.
That we have looked up at the seemingly permanent stars and uncovered an ever changing tapestry. With every discovery, a new piece of the universe is revealed. Enormous, fiery gas giants, devastating hypernoavea, black holes producing jets of matter and energy powerful enough to shred stars, organic molecules forming in nebulae, and an ever present echo from the formation of the universe itself.
Think for a moment upon the fact that, other than hydrogen, helium and a little bit of lithium, all other elements were made within or by stars. That, all elements above iron can only be formed, naturally, by the explosive death of massive stars. That we, and everything else that surrounds us, are made of these long dead stars.
These are but a few of the things we have begun to understand in our short time as a species. Each day, new discoveries are made. New connections form between seemingly disparate ideas. Links forming towards a single unified view of what the universe is.
We have done this. We, a group of primates that were forced down out of the trees due to an ever changing environment, have started to reveal these and other hidden truths.
Where once we relied on myths and superstition, we now rely on what we can prove. And unlike the cold empty existence that many have feared, we find that Keats was right all along. There is no greater beauty than truth.
This is a line that has always held a place of deep importance within me, despite not always knowing the source (something I deeply regret as I now consider this one of my favorite pieces of poetry).
'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.'
However, when it was first released, there was a significant debate as to the importance of this line. T..S. Eliot was especially critical with his responce in 1929 of:
[T]his line strikes me as a serious blemish on a beautiful poemMany might agree with Eliot by following along the belief that an existence that is limited to this universe is terrifying and restricted. But to agree with this criticism is to miss the very purpose of this line.
The poem encompasses the thoughts of Keats of what historical events a Grecian urn might have 'experienced'. But in the end, it takes all the hypothesizing and wonderment at the possibilities and tosses them aside. It does not do this because it feels they are ugly or useless. Instead, he does it because he realized that, not matter what we might believe, the truth of the universe will always be more beautiful than our beliefs, simply because it is the truth.
This is an idea that has become increasingly lost amongst many. Instead of looking at the beauty of what is, many would prefer to believe the stories of the disenchanted. While not always their fault and, at times, seeming more appealing than what is, this is the kind of thinking that can cripple a mind for life.
Many people feel more comfortable with thinking the universe was created by some deity thousands of years ago for the sole purpose of glorifying it (I will, for simplicities sake, ignore the sexism of the traditionally used pronoun 'him'). But this view is diametrically opposed to the final line penned by Keats. Not only this, but it sets itself up as the opposition to reality and truth itself.
They will often stat that the facts revealed through rational inquiry using a tool known as science is, by its very nature, something that is incomplete. That there must be more than just reality. So they ignore the beauties and truths hidden within in favor of their myths.
I would like to think that they do so not out of spite, but out of ignorance and fear. That they either do not truly know enough about the subject (or had it displayed to them properly) or that they fear it because it is different.
I am sure there are many who find the idea of being told what to do and think comforting. But I doubt that they even realize many of the causes behind such beliefs. It is simply what has worked best for them as they developed, thus they cling to it like a child does a favorite toy.
What such people do not see is that there is a beauty without compare just beyond their grasp. That, for a potential myriad of reasons, they have held fast to their 'truths', instead of looking to the information itself. They see a cold and unfeeling existance without the familair and calming embrace of their beliefs. But this is just an illusion created out of ignornace.
For the universe as we understand it through the lens of science, is more beautiful than we could ever hope to comprehend. Think for a moment that we know, with an incredibly high degree of certainty, the reasons for many things in our universe.
That, despite our various inner conflicts, biological failings and tendency for various forms of cognitive dissonance, we have started to understand the universe that we are a part of. That we have looked into the molecular machinery of life and found an unbroken thread connecting us to every other organism that has, will or does exist.
That we have looked up at the seemingly permanent stars and uncovered an ever changing tapestry. With every discovery, a new piece of the universe is revealed. Enormous, fiery gas giants, devastating hypernoavea, black holes producing jets of matter and energy powerful enough to shred stars, organic molecules forming in nebulae, and an ever present echo from the formation of the universe itself.
Think for a moment upon the fact that, other than hydrogen, helium and a little bit of lithium, all other elements were made within or by stars. That, all elements above iron can only be formed, naturally, by the explosive death of massive stars. That we, and everything else that surrounds us, are made of these long dead stars.
These are but a few of the things we have begun to understand in our short time as a species. Each day, new discoveries are made. New connections form between seemingly disparate ideas. Links forming towards a single unified view of what the universe is.
We have done this. We, a group of primates that were forced down out of the trees due to an ever changing environment, have started to reveal these and other hidden truths.
Where once we relied on myths and superstition, we now rely on what we can prove. And unlike the cold empty existence that many have feared, we find that Keats was right all along. There is no greater beauty than truth.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
David Kato LGBT hero
Imagine a country inundated by evangelicalism, where a bill that would legalize the execution of known homosexuals has been passed around parliament for years, where being 'outed' as a homosexual leads to death threats and being shunned by society. This country exists, it is known as Uganda.
But there are those who fight for a better future for Uganda. A future where sexual orientation is no longer a matter of life and death but personal preference. David Kato has fought for this future and, sadly, had his life taken for what he stood for. On January 26th, 2011, David Kato was murdered in the middle of the day in what the local authorities are claiming was a botched robbery. But friends of David Kato claim that it was an acquaintance of Kato's who had been seen in his house many times.
But how did it get to this? What made David Kato such a hero for the LGBT movement and such a perceived threat to the evangelical community? Through his life of understanding and his willingness to put himself in harms way, he supported those who would otherwise be ignored.
After completing his education in some of Uganda's best schools, David Kato became a high school educator. In the mid-90's, he moved to South Africa continuing to work as a teacher. It was here, amongst the ends of Apartheid that David Kato saw what could be done through protest and organized groups. Having come out to his family shortly before leaving for Johannesburg, seeing the ban on sodomy lifted and the gradual rise of LGBT rights inspired him to bring the same message to his home.
Upon re-entering Uganda in 1998, David Kato promptly started the Uganda's fist gay rights news conference in the capitol city of Kampala. Unfortunately Uganda was not ready for equality and David Kato was beaten by police and arrested. After being released from his one week imprisonment, David Kato sought out Uganda's LGBT underground movement. It is here where he found the group known as SMUG (Sexual Minorities Uganda). Becoming one of the founding members, David Kato took on the role of advocacy officer.
In October of 20069, a bill was brought to parliament, supported and inspired by American Evangelical Christians who claimed homosexuality was a threat to the African family. The support for this bill was incredibly strong, with backing of both the president, Yoweri Museveni, and the majority of parliament. But David Kato and other SMUG members spread the word to international new agencies. Soon the outcry became so strong that many countries threatened to withhold financial aid. With such threats of financial loss and other outcries the bill was suspended. In a pathetic attempt to appease critics, the writers of the bill replaced execution with life imprisonment, the bill floats about Uganda's Parliament to this day.
Also in October 2009, the Ugandan tabloid Rolling Stone published David Kato's name and photograph in an article listing 100 known or suspected homosexuals living in Uganda, David Kato and two other SMUG members, Kasha Jacqueline and Onziema Patience, successfully sued the newspaper to get the list removed as well as for 1.5 million Ugandan Shillings each. This smear article featured lines such as "hang them" and "Parents face heart-breaks as homos raid schools". Despite calling for David Kato's death, upon hearing of Kato's murder, the editor of Rolling Stone had this to say:
His death has spurred The Archbishop of Canterbury to press the U.K. goverment to allow the United Kingdom to offer asylum to any LGBT individual. In a statement US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton stated:
David Kato was truly a hero for many. May we all press forward to reach the future he envisioned.
But there are those who fight for a better future for Uganda. A future where sexual orientation is no longer a matter of life and death but personal preference. David Kato has fought for this future and, sadly, had his life taken for what he stood for. On January 26th, 2011, David Kato was murdered in the middle of the day in what the local authorities are claiming was a botched robbery. But friends of David Kato claim that it was an acquaintance of Kato's who had been seen in his house many times.
But how did it get to this? What made David Kato such a hero for the LGBT movement and such a perceived threat to the evangelical community? Through his life of understanding and his willingness to put himself in harms way, he supported those who would otherwise be ignored.
After completing his education in some of Uganda's best schools, David Kato became a high school educator. In the mid-90's, he moved to South Africa continuing to work as a teacher. It was here, amongst the ends of Apartheid that David Kato saw what could be done through protest and organized groups. Having come out to his family shortly before leaving for Johannesburg, seeing the ban on sodomy lifted and the gradual rise of LGBT rights inspired him to bring the same message to his home.
Upon re-entering Uganda in 1998, David Kato promptly started the Uganda's fist gay rights news conference in the capitol city of Kampala. Unfortunately Uganda was not ready for equality and David Kato was beaten by police and arrested. After being released from his one week imprisonment, David Kato sought out Uganda's LGBT underground movement. It is here where he found the group known as SMUG (Sexual Minorities Uganda). Becoming one of the founding members, David Kato took on the role of advocacy officer.
In October of 20069, a bill was brought to parliament, supported and inspired by American Evangelical Christians who claimed homosexuality was a threat to the African family. The support for this bill was incredibly strong, with backing of both the president, Yoweri Museveni, and the majority of parliament. But David Kato and other SMUG members spread the word to international new agencies. Soon the outcry became so strong that many countries threatened to withhold financial aid. With such threats of financial loss and other outcries the bill was suspended. In a pathetic attempt to appease critics, the writers of the bill replaced execution with life imprisonment, the bill floats about Uganda's Parliament to this day.
Also in October 2009, the Ugandan tabloid Rolling Stone published David Kato's name and photograph in an article listing 100 known or suspected homosexuals living in Uganda, David Kato and two other SMUG members, Kasha Jacqueline and Onziema Patience, successfully sued the newspaper to get the list removed as well as for 1.5 million Ugandan Shillings each. This smear article featured lines such as "hang them" and "Parents face heart-breaks as homos raid schools". Despite calling for David Kato's death, upon hearing of Kato's murder, the editor of Rolling Stone had this to say:
There is no need for anxiety or for hype, we should not overblow the death of one.Those words sound far to much like those of a guilty person trying to push aside obvious evidence. To dig themselves a deeper hole, members of the newspaper went on to say:
I have no regrets about the story. We were just exposing people who were doing wrong
His death has spurred The Archbishop of Canterbury to press the U.K. goverment to allow the United Kingdom to offer asylum to any LGBT individual. In a statement US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton stated:
This crime is a reminder of the heroic generosity of the people who advocate for and defend human rights on behalf of the rest of us -- and the sacrifices they make. And as we reflect on his life, it is also an occasion to reaffirm that human rights apply to everyone, no exceptions, and that the human rights of LGBT individuals cannot be separated from the human rights of all persons.In President Obama's statement, he said:
In Uganda, David showed tremendous courage in speaking out against hate. He was a powerful advocate for fairness and freedom. The United States mourns his murder, and we recommit ourselves to David’s work.
David Kato was truly a hero for many. May we all press forward to reach the future he envisioned.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The world has lost a great voice
A couple days ago, on the ninth, both Pakistan and the world lost one of its greatest voices for freedom and equality. Brought down by the very men entrusted to protect him, Salmaan Taseer, died as he had lived, in defense of equality for his fellow humans.
Salmaan Taseer was a man who would not stand down from what he believed in. He was an intellectual, a newspaper publisher, a writer, an entrepreneur, a politician and above all else, a humanist. He had established both the First Capital Securities Corporation and The Worldcall Group, both of which allowed for Pakistan to more effectively join the global economy and networks.
Under the dictator Gen. Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, Salmaan Taseer published pamphlets that spoke of the virtues of a return to democracy. For this he was imprisoned for over six months where he was kept in solitary confinement and shackled to the ground. But even during this, he stood resolute, as was shown by the single message he was able to get out to his wife, "I’m not made from a wood that burns easily."
After his release he went on into politics, first by becoming member of the Punjab Assembly from Lahore (the capital of Punjab Province) in 1988 and in 2008 he was elected governor of Punjab Province. It was here that he was able to further his talents for aiding humanity.
After the May 28th assault and suicide bombings of two Ahmadi Mosques, an event with killed a total of 95, 85 of whom where Ahmadi, and injured over a hundred others, Salmaan Taseer visited the injured in the hospital. This was done at risk to himself as the Ahmadi have been marginalized by those who believe their form of Islam to be blasphemous. Yet Taseer had no thoughts of this, he only saw his fellow human beings suffering and in need of aid.
During the massive flooding that Pakistan saw during the Summer, Salmaan Taseer went to various businesses asking for their aid and financial support. He then went on to aid in constructing shelters and consoling those who had lost everything.
There are many other examples of Taseer's acts of humanism, but there was one he had fought for especially hard. One that would eventually, cost him everything. Salmaan Taseer fought to change the harsh blasphemy laws enacted by the very ruler who had him imprisoned. He recognized the laws as unjust, and when Asia Bibi, a mother of five was sentenced to hang for an accusation of taking the Prophet's name in vain, he spoke out against the accusations, the law and his fellow human's treatment of one another.
Salmaan Taseer knew that the Islamic Fundamentalists wanted him silenced yet he would not stand down. He knew he was in the right and would not let terror and ignorance have its way. And for this, his ardent stance for a more equal treatment for the various religions within Pakistan, he was shot twenty-six times by one of his own police escorts.
But as his son, Shehrbano Taseer, stated so bravely in his recent editorial for the New York Times:
Salmaan Taseer was a man who would not stand down from what he believed in. He was an intellectual, a newspaper publisher, a writer, an entrepreneur, a politician and above all else, a humanist. He had established both the First Capital Securities Corporation and The Worldcall Group, both of which allowed for Pakistan to more effectively join the global economy and networks.
Under the dictator Gen. Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, Salmaan Taseer published pamphlets that spoke of the virtues of a return to democracy. For this he was imprisoned for over six months where he was kept in solitary confinement and shackled to the ground. But even during this, he stood resolute, as was shown by the single message he was able to get out to his wife, "I’m not made from a wood that burns easily."
After his release he went on into politics, first by becoming member of the Punjab Assembly from Lahore (the capital of Punjab Province) in 1988 and in 2008 he was elected governor of Punjab Province. It was here that he was able to further his talents for aiding humanity.
After the May 28th assault and suicide bombings of two Ahmadi Mosques, an event with killed a total of 95, 85 of whom where Ahmadi, and injured over a hundred others, Salmaan Taseer visited the injured in the hospital. This was done at risk to himself as the Ahmadi have been marginalized by those who believe their form of Islam to be blasphemous. Yet Taseer had no thoughts of this, he only saw his fellow human beings suffering and in need of aid.
During the massive flooding that Pakistan saw during the Summer, Salmaan Taseer went to various businesses asking for their aid and financial support. He then went on to aid in constructing shelters and consoling those who had lost everything.
There are many other examples of Taseer's acts of humanism, but there was one he had fought for especially hard. One that would eventually, cost him everything. Salmaan Taseer fought to change the harsh blasphemy laws enacted by the very ruler who had him imprisoned. He recognized the laws as unjust, and when Asia Bibi, a mother of five was sentenced to hang for an accusation of taking the Prophet's name in vain, he spoke out against the accusations, the law and his fellow human's treatment of one another.
Salmaan Taseer knew that the Islamic Fundamentalists wanted him silenced yet he would not stand down. He knew he was in the right and would not let terror and ignorance have its way. And for this, his ardent stance for a more equal treatment for the various religions within Pakistan, he was shot twenty-six times by one of his own police escorts.
But as his son, Shehrbano Taseer, stated so bravely in his recent editorial for the New York Times:
"There are those who say my father’s death was the final nail in the coffin for a tolerant Pakistan. That Pakistan’s liberal voices will now be silenced. But we buried a heroic man, not the courage he inspired in others."And that courage will live on, in his supporters, his family and everyone in Pakistan as well as around the world who dream of a future where one can be open about their faith, or perhaps even lack there of. I will leave the closing remarks to Salmaan Taseer's son, Shehrbano Taseer:
"My father believed in our country’s potential. He lived and died for Pakistan. To honor his memory, those who share that belief in Pakistan’s future must not stay silent about injustice. We must never be afraid of our enemies. We must never let them win."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Tony Porter and the Man Box
I do think this individual is on to something here. I know full well what he was talking about in this video. I have grown up around those who always had to be within this box, I was raised by those who tried forcing me into it and I am ashamed to say, that on occasion, I had do so. But thankfully that is something reliquated to the past. Now the concept of gender typical behavior only makes sense on the biological level. Anything above that is just too absurd to be worth it. Not to mention the fact that it gets in the way of so much in day to day life.
I do agree with Tony Porter on everything he says here. And if we are ever hoping for a somewhat decent existence, we must all endeavor to point out such causes of so much harm and speak out against them whenever and however possible.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
A walk through the park
We have a city park, it really isn't much but I like to walk through it from time to time, as I often do some of my best thinking when I'm just walking and experiencing.
Each year, the city puts up all kinds of lights throughout the park for Christmas and at night, it really is kind of lovely to walk through. I remember always wanting to walk through it when I was younger but my family didn't think it was worth it "you can see all the lights from the streets as we drive by, can't you?" they would say. they didn't understand the value of just walking through and watching.
Part of it is the people, as it is the one time when the park actually has a steady stream of people walking through it. For most of the rest of the year, it is usually just overlooked. But most of all, I love looking around and seeing just how diverse the iconography around me actually is.
Most would never realize it, but the images I saw were truly global. There was Inuit, Mesopotamian, Celtic/Norse, Victorian England, and Czarist Russia. I know most will never realize the vast collection of images that surround them nor will most of them ever grasp their meanings.
But I know them, I know their histories and their origins. Seeing it all around me...it makes me happy. I see the culmination of so many peoples, so many diverse thoughts and cultures, all brought into one single amalgamate.
Most will never see this, but I do, each and every time I walk through that park, and it warms me. I only wish more people would be interested in it and realize what exactly it all means. For it gives me hope. In spite of all our hatreds and bigotries and wars that we humans rage against one another, here is one time when the diversity of humanity is made as one. Here is hope for a future of my species.
Each year, the city puts up all kinds of lights throughout the park for Christmas and at night, it really is kind of lovely to walk through. I remember always wanting to walk through it when I was younger but my family didn't think it was worth it "you can see all the lights from the streets as we drive by, can't you?" they would say. they didn't understand the value of just walking through and watching.
Part of it is the people, as it is the one time when the park actually has a steady stream of people walking through it. For most of the rest of the year, it is usually just overlooked. But most of all, I love looking around and seeing just how diverse the iconography around me actually is.
Most would never realize it, but the images I saw were truly global. There was Inuit, Mesopotamian, Celtic/Norse, Victorian England, and Czarist Russia. I know most will never realize the vast collection of images that surround them nor will most of them ever grasp their meanings.
But I know them, I know their histories and their origins. Seeing it all around me...it makes me happy. I see the culmination of so many peoples, so many diverse thoughts and cultures, all brought into one single amalgamate.
Most will never see this, but I do, each and every time I walk through that park, and it warms me. I only wish more people would be interested in it and realize what exactly it all means. For it gives me hope. In spite of all our hatreds and bigotries and wars that we humans rage against one another, here is one time when the diversity of humanity is made as one. Here is hope for a future of my species.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
American Academy of Pediatrics and female genital mutilation
I had read of this event first at PZ's blog then again saw it written about by the Skepchick Chelsea. I am disgusted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This is not some exaggeration or hyperbole, I am truly disgusted, reviled, angered and quite a few other things. What has this group done to invoke such ire and contempt? They have established a loophole allowing pediatricians to perform female genital mutilation.
Recently, a piece of legislation has been put through the federal government. It is called The Girls’ Protection Act. This act makes it illegal for any person to take a child outside of the United States or any United States territory to have the act of female genital mutilation performed on a child. This was a major piece of legislation that will hopefully put a halt to the previous legal act of sending a child out of the country for a barbaric practice that can be seen as a form of sexual enslavement and torture.
What the AAP has done is essentially an act of defiance against this humanitarian legislation. Under this new loophole of theirs, they claim to allow for what they call a 'little nick'. When it comes to this kind of act, it does not matter how big or small the 'nick' is, it is the very fact that it is done. There is no ethical or medical reason for it to happen. It is entirly about the control and oppression of females. There is no benefit to the victim of this procedure. What the AAP has done is essentially to tell doctors that they do not need to follow the Hippocratic Oath when it comes to some backwards cultural concept. It tells doctors they can do harm as long as that harm makes some parents with everted, damaging and idiotic beliefs happy.
By creating this loophole the AAP has declared themselves hypocrites who would rather appease some barbaric ancient custom designed to keep females 'in line' then actually stand up for human rights. The AAP has violated the Hippocratic Oath, an act that is seen within the medical community as one of the most loathsome and detestable acts possible. It is seen within the medical field as grounds for the revoking of a doctor's medical license. So why does the AAP think that doing this was right? What makes them think that they now do not deserve legal retaliation, the very kind that any independent doctor would receive for such an act?
Do they believe in the idea of cultural relativism? That there is no right or wrong, just different morays put forth by different cultural establishments? If that were true, then the Hippocratic Oath would be meaningless. If all views, as long as they were held be enough people, were equally valid, then there would be no point in requiring doctors to swear to this doctrine and be held accountable if they violate it.
Then it must be that they are they just cow towing to certain cultural and religious beliefs*. The idea that certain concepts, no matter how horrible or vile they may be, should be allowed, for the sake of culture or religion is, to be blunt, idiotic. Any person who does so is not just being 'understanding' of a belief as they say, but actively allowing for an act that they would otherwise fight against.
By creating this loophole, any doctor who might be sympathetic to this 'tradition' can now perform it. It could even cause cases where a doctor who would otherwise not perform or wish to perform it, to be pressured by the parents under the concept of cultural relativism into performing it.
The AAP claims it is just a 'little nick' compared to the full procedure done in areas where female genital mutilation is acceptable. They claim it better to have just a small bit of damage done then the whole thing. This reasoning is moronic. It would be like arguing that if we allow just a little bit of rape, not the full thing, but just a smidgen of it, then it would satisfy the rapists and they wouldn't go through with the whole thing. Not only does it not work, not only is it stupid, but it still causes harm. There is no benefit here and none can be argued, because as I said, cultural relativism is just so much shite.
If the AAP really does want for this barbarism to be relinquished to the annals of history, then they should take a stand against it in its entirely. I can only hope that its members are vociferous enough to make it known that this loophole should be torn out and those who pushed for its creation adequately punished for their overstep.
___________________________________
*Yes, I am aware the act of female genital mutation is more cultural then religious. That as Islam spread over the area where this act took place, it merged with the culture perpetuating it. That no where in Islamic doctrine does it require for female genital mutilation, but that it is a cultural tradition that was enveloped and then spread alongside Islam. But the fact remains that the practice has grown alongside Islam long enough to become intertwined with it. That it is accepted under Islam and where ever it goes, the practice often follows. So while I acknowledge the fact that Islam does not require female genital mutilation and that the act is not even originally an Islamic practice, I do know that there is a link between the two. A link that has allowed the practice to spread with Islam, to become protected under Islam. To the point where many people who would not otherwise practice female genital mutilation do so because of some Islamic influence.
Recently, a piece of legislation has been put through the federal government. It is called The Girls’ Protection Act. This act makes it illegal for any person to take a child outside of the United States or any United States territory to have the act of female genital mutilation performed on a child. This was a major piece of legislation that will hopefully put a halt to the previous legal act of sending a child out of the country for a barbaric practice that can be seen as a form of sexual enslavement and torture.
What the AAP has done is essentially an act of defiance against this humanitarian legislation. Under this new loophole of theirs, they claim to allow for what they call a 'little nick'. When it comes to this kind of act, it does not matter how big or small the 'nick' is, it is the very fact that it is done. There is no ethical or medical reason for it to happen. It is entirly about the control and oppression of females. There is no benefit to the victim of this procedure. What the AAP has done is essentially to tell doctors that they do not need to follow the Hippocratic Oath when it comes to some backwards cultural concept. It tells doctors they can do harm as long as that harm makes some parents with everted, damaging and idiotic beliefs happy.
By creating this loophole the AAP has declared themselves hypocrites who would rather appease some barbaric ancient custom designed to keep females 'in line' then actually stand up for human rights. The AAP has violated the Hippocratic Oath, an act that is seen within the medical community as one of the most loathsome and detestable acts possible. It is seen within the medical field as grounds for the revoking of a doctor's medical license. So why does the AAP think that doing this was right? What makes them think that they now do not deserve legal retaliation, the very kind that any independent doctor would receive for such an act?
Do they believe in the idea of cultural relativism? That there is no right or wrong, just different morays put forth by different cultural establishments? If that were true, then the Hippocratic Oath would be meaningless. If all views, as long as they were held be enough people, were equally valid, then there would be no point in requiring doctors to swear to this doctrine and be held accountable if they violate it.
Then it must be that they are they just cow towing to certain cultural and religious beliefs*. The idea that certain concepts, no matter how horrible or vile they may be, should be allowed, for the sake of culture or religion is, to be blunt, idiotic. Any person who does so is not just being 'understanding' of a belief as they say, but actively allowing for an act that they would otherwise fight against.
By creating this loophole, any doctor who might be sympathetic to this 'tradition' can now perform it. It could even cause cases where a doctor who would otherwise not perform or wish to perform it, to be pressured by the parents under the concept of cultural relativism into performing it.
The AAP claims it is just a 'little nick' compared to the full procedure done in areas where female genital mutilation is acceptable. They claim it better to have just a small bit of damage done then the whole thing. This reasoning is moronic. It would be like arguing that if we allow just a little bit of rape, not the full thing, but just a smidgen of it, then it would satisfy the rapists and they wouldn't go through with the whole thing. Not only does it not work, not only is it stupid, but it still causes harm. There is no benefit here and none can be argued, because as I said, cultural relativism is just so much shite.
If the AAP really does want for this barbarism to be relinquished to the annals of history, then they should take a stand against it in its entirely. I can only hope that its members are vociferous enough to make it known that this loophole should be torn out and those who pushed for its creation adequately punished for their overstep.
___________________________________
*Yes, I am aware the act of female genital mutation is more cultural then religious. That as Islam spread over the area where this act took place, it merged with the culture perpetuating it. That no where in Islamic doctrine does it require for female genital mutilation, but that it is a cultural tradition that was enveloped and then spread alongside Islam. But the fact remains that the practice has grown alongside Islam long enough to become intertwined with it. That it is accepted under Islam and where ever it goes, the practice often follows. So while I acknowledge the fact that Islam does not require female genital mutilation and that the act is not even originally an Islamic practice, I do know that there is a link between the two. A link that has allowed the practice to spread with Islam, to become protected under Islam. To the point where many people who would not otherwise practice female genital mutilation do so because of some Islamic influence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)