Today is one for the history books. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Proposition 8 were both ruled on today, and the results were in favor of equal rights for all. DOMA was declared unconstitutional, and Prop. 8 was overturned. Does this solve all of the equal rights issues in America? Of course not, but it's a big step towards true equality.
As I felt the need to party it up in celebration, I realized that my kids don't really comprehend what the big deal is since they have never questioned someone's right to love someone else, whether that person is of a different race, religion, or whether or not they are of the same sex. They are part of a future generation that already accepts the rights of gays to love like any other person loves and live like any other person lives. They are vaguely aware that their country isn't 100% on board and that there are differing opinions, but politics aren't their strong suit and they have always been taught to treat everyone equally no matter what, so to them, equal rights are already a fact. While I am proud of their open acceptance and respect for all, I realize how important it is to explain the significance of this moment in history. Raising children who accept and support equal rights for all is one thing, but it occurs to me that I want to give my kids the tools to fight for those rights.
Oddly enough, this process began with a rap song. "Same Love" is a song by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, the guys who brought us the insanely popular "Thrift Shop" song. However, unlike their lighthearted and irreverent romp through second-hand clothes and other such treasures, "Same Love" is a beautiful and serious testimony to the importance of equal rights for all Americans. My kids fell in love with the song right away and they sang it constantly. However, when they saw the music video, there were a lot of questions.
"What's with the burning cross?" "Why did the boy-girl couple bump into them as they walked down the street?" "Why was the family so upset at the dinner table?"
Answering these questions lead us to a more involved conversation about all the struggles and burdens of current and past civil rights issues. It was amazing. I didn't expect my children (9 & 12) to be so open to deep discussion about this topic and the legal battles surrounding it. It was an empowering discussion for all of us, and one I am so proud of my kids for having.
So on this historic day, I urge you to take a moment to discuss the matters of equality for all with your children. Use "Same Love" as a starting point if you'd like, read the newspapers together, and instill in them a sense of the right thing to do and how equality for all is worth fighting for.
*Update*
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' website has the following to say about the ruling that took place today:
http://macklemore.com/post/53971213636/my-response-to-the-supreme-court-overturning-doma-and
- Jennifer Blosser -
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