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A speech about the Importance of Protecting Same-Sex Marriage
A speech about the Importance of Protecting Same-Sex Marriage Laws
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Introduction
I grew up in a family set up that is strongly rooted in Christianity and its beliefs. Therefore, discussions about same-sex relationships and marriages were considered taboo, unsuitable, and, most importantly, a sin before God. I couldn’t help but question my relatives’ stand regarding the matter because I believed every human deserved to express themselves freely, especially in critical aspects of their lives, like identity and sexual orientation. This factor compelled me to research same-sex relationships, marriages, and existing laws that protected this marginalized group of people. I discovered that most countries had incorporated laws that protected same-sex marriages into their judicial system at the beginning of the 21st century.
However, countries in conservative regions did not condone same-sex marriages and penalized individuals who identified themselves as part of the LGBTQ community (Siegel, 2017). This segregation and discrimination had me questioning, was it fair to restrict individuals from expressing and owning their sexuality? What would it take to bring forth a community that acknowledged same-sex marriages just as they did heterosexual marriages? What would happen if laws protecting this marginalized group were protected and adhered to by society? These questions urged me to spread awareness on the importance of appreciating the LGBTQ community and protecting same sex-marriages laws.
As we all know, same-sex marriage has raised controversial debates among many groups of people in society. Some support the issue while others, mostly glued to their traditional or religious beliefs, still think same-sex engagement is an act of immorality and therefore unacceptable. I couldn’t help but empathize with the individuals who identified as gays or lesbians. How did they feel knowing their sexual orientation caused endless debates? Do they question the possibility of leading normal lives in the future? As much as this issue is complex, I believe the protection and implementation of same-sex marriage laws to the latter will redirect people’s negative implications of the issue and help ease the burden on the LGBTQ community. Today I will enlighten you on the importance of protecting same-sex laws. We will kick off by addressing the number of people who have publicly announced their stand as lesbians and gays and have gotten married to their partners. Then, we’ll have a look at the benefits of having same-sex marriage laws in a country.
Statistics show that as of 2018, one out of ten marriages conducted in America involved same-sex couples. This statistic translates to approximately 10.2% of marriages registered by the high court. According to the article Same-sex marriage (Britannica, 2020), out of 980,000 same-sex couples’ households in America, 58% are legally married while 48% are unmarried but live together. This figure has risen significantly compared to statistics from a decade ago before the legalization of same-sex marriages, where the percentage of married same-sex couples stood at 38%. In the article, Same-sex marriage, and the constitution, Gerstmann claims that 67% of millennials favor implementations and protection of same-sex marriage laws while 47% of the silent generation support the law as well. Despite the progress made in same-sex marriages, the statistics are still low and more people are still fighting to get out of the closet for fear of judgment and discrimination by society.
Now that we have explored the number of people who identify with same-sex marriage, I will take you through the benefits this group of people has received since the establishment and the implementation of laws that encourage and support their sexual orientation. Same-sex marriage and the constitution (Gertsmann, 2017) article notes that marriage laws have influenced the decision of many gays and lesbians to come out of the closet and embrace their sexuality publicly. Knowing that they are under the umbrella of the law boosts their confidence. It creates a willingness to interact with people, express their opinions and ideas freely, and be the best version of themselves they can be. According to the article Marriage, social control, and health behavior: A dyadic analysis of same-sex and different-sex couples (Umberson et al, 2018), same-sex laws have also allowed other people to be open-minded about same-sex relationships and marriages. Over time, people have erased their stereotypical and homophobic nature because the law dictates that gays and lesbians should be recognized respected, and their contributions to society appreciated.
In the article, Same-sex marriage (Britannica, 2019), the author explains that these laws allow same-sex couples to access government benefits to married people. Some of these benefits include but are not limited to healthcare benefits, social security benefits, unpaid leave to care give and carryout unpaid home obligations, and nursing home care benefits. Same sex-marriage laws equalize gay couples to heterosexual ones by allowing access to the same advantages entitled to heterosexual couples. Ofosu, in the article Same-sex marriage legalization associated with reduced implicit and explicit antigay bias, notes that these benefits give most gay couples a new meaning of life and freedom. It gives them a sense of belonging as they get to live, work and relate like other normal couples.
Same-sex marriage laws allow gay couples to raise children and outline each parent’s rights and responsibilities regarding children and upbringing (Umberson et al., 2018). The same-sex marriage laws qualify gay couples to be parents legally through adoption methods. In the event of a divorce, the laws provide procedures on which parents separate, share custody of their children, and divide their property (Mezey, 2019). More often than not, society questions the ability of same-sex married couples to raise children. The presence of these laws reassures same-sex couples that they are on the right track and are capable of raising healthy and well-mannered children. It proves society wrong by allowing same-sex couples to experience parenthood and become successful and able in their different roles as parents.
Same-sex Laws provide a legal framework under which same-sex couples use to tackle issues arising in the case of the death of a partner. Being unmarried, especially as a same-sex couple, can be difficult when handling parental rights, taxes, and property after the death of one partner. Ofosu (et al., 2019) notes that it can be costly and time-consuming for the affected individual. Therefore, these laws allow couples to evade such challenges by providing a set of rules and instructions that guide procedures regarding issues stemming from the death of a spouse.
Conclusion
Today I have informed you about the importance of same-sex laws to same-sex couples in society. We have looked at the statistics of individuals who have come out as gays and lesbians as a result of the legalization of same-sex marriages and the passage of laws that support it. I have also taken you through some of the benefits same-sex couples enjoy due to the presence of same-sex laws. These laws have played a vital role in the growth and development experienced in the LGBTQ community. Many programs that fight for the rights of same-sex marriages have emerged because of the legalization of same-sex marriages. These programs also offer a safe space where gays and lesbians can receive guidance and counseling at any time and for free. Therefore, it is my hope that through the discussions above, you will join forces with me and help me protect same-sex marriage laws.
References
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2020, November 19). same-sex marriage. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/same-sex-marriageGerstmann, E. (2017). Same-sex marriage and the constitution. Cambridge University Press.
Mezey, S. G. (2019). Marriage Equality, Public Accommodations Laws, and Religious Exercise. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics.
Ofosu, E. K., Chambers, M. K., Chen, J. M., & Hehman, E. (2019). Same-sex marriage legalization associated with reduced implicit and explicit antigay bias. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(18), 8846-8851.
Siegel, R. B. (2017). Community in Conflict: Same-sex marriage and backlash. UCLA L. Rev., 64, 1728.
Umberson, D., Donnelly, R., & Pollitt, A. M. (2018). Marriage, social control, and health behavior: A dyadic analysis of same-sex and different-sex couples. Journal of health and social behavior, 59(3), 429-446.
Book Review Post-colonialism by Robert Young
Book Review: Post-colonialism by Robert Young
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Abstract
In his book, Post-colonialism: An Historical Introduction, Young examines how decolonization has affected the west. Specifically, the author highlights some of the social, political, and cultural effects of decolonization and how they have impacted Western dominance over other countries and states. Some of the key topics or concepts discussed in the book include aboriginal people, hybridity, land, power, postcolonial feminism, as well as, characteristics of postcolonial cities and states. Throughout the book, the author examines the rise of anti-colonial movements in countries that had been colonized by the west, and their role in the development of these states into post-colonialism. This paper provides a critical analysis of the book, Post-colonialism: An Historical Introduction. Specifically, the paper examines the author’s thesis, the presentation of his argument, illustrating the strengths, weaknesses, and biases of the book.
Post-Colonialism: An Historical Introduction
By Robert J Young
The book, Post-colonialism: An Historical Introduction, presents one of the most influential books to historians and other academicians. This is because the author examines the concept of post-colonialism, a topic that has generated plenty of debate in academic circles. At the outset, the author does not examine this topic using a debating attitude but instead he tries to explain this concept from a different view than other post-colonialism authors. In essence, the author tries to change his readers’ views and perception about the world and the concepts of colonization, decolonization, and post-colonialism. To convince his readers, the author incorporates the works of other historical theorists such as Frantz Fanon, Homi Bhabha, Gayatri Spivak, and Edward Said. He does this so as to give his readers the assurance that his work is properly researched and embraces the views and perceptions of different people. The author begins by explaining to his audience that post-colonialism is all about turning the world around and examining this concept from a different perspective. According to the author, many people have failed in evaluating the concept of post-colonialism because they focus more on the western colonizers instead of concentrating on the aboriginal and disenfranchised communities.
Accordingly, the presumable thesis that the author presents in his book is that post-colonialism is a concept that is only understood through the perspective of the colonies and its people. Subsequently, the author further illustrates the advantages of examining the concept of post-colonialism from the perspective of these communities. Accordingly, the author supports his thesis by providing evidence in the form of various events and occurrences that occurred in diverse colonies around the world. He examines the stories of various states with relation to post-colonialism, and provides a different perspective of these stories from what the readers have. Most of the evidence provided in the book is relevant to his thesis, and for that reason, does not detract from the concepts and thoughts being presented in the book. Two main stories strike out in the book including the quandary of the homeless people in Brazil, and the mandatory exposure of Muslim women under American rule through the Shah in Iran. These to stories give a clear illustration of how the concept of post-colonialism in the respective states has been misunderstood from the western perspectives. The author tells the struggles of these people, which in turn changes the readers’ lines of though regarding the state of affairs in these countries and states. Another concept that the author has stressed throughout the book regards the rise of anti-colonial movements in these states. These movements are responsible for the development of the states into their postcolonial state, and for that reason, he considers them significant factors in comprehending the concept of post-colonialism.
Arguably, the book’s strength lies in the way the author integrates the ideologies of anti-colonial movements with Marxist critiques of colonialism. By doing this, the author cements his ideas and perceptions in a strong way that challenges the readers. Though the author provides a good argument regarding post-colonialism, and he goes on to do it in a well written manner, one cannot help but criticize the apparent prejudices and biases presented in the book. The author clearly states that his argument is based on the perspective of the aboriginal groups in the countries whose stories he explores. This, therefore, implies that the information presented in the book is a foregone conclusion. Instead of comparing the western perspectives with the native perspectives so as to give the readers room to draw up their own conclusion, the author seeks to change the perspectives of the readers. He indirectly tries to shape the thoughts of the readers to fit his own, as well as, that of the native communities. Subsequently, the readers end up sympathizing with the disenfranchised communities, with disregard to the Western perspectives. Conclusively, the book is of great value to its readers as the work thought presented is vigilantly, provoking. The book urges its readers, as well as, academicians to examine post-colonialism and world affairs from a different perception.
Bibliography
Young, Robert J. Post-Colonialism: An Historical Introduction. New York: Blackwell Publishers, 2001.
A Space Odyssey – Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite – set
HYPERLINK “javascript:HighlightAll(‘form1.report’)” A Space Odyssey – Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite – set
The film segment chosen was the final scene from Stanley Kubrik’s 2001 – A Space Odyssey made in 1968. As the name would suggest, the film is set almost entirely in the future. Already having projected itself over 30 years into the future, it would be safe to assume that this motion picture offers a wealth of imagery and futuristic vision. It does. It is towards the end of the film, however, that Kubrik offers this to us on a much greater scale. In these few minutes, we are presented with the dawn of a new era: a near incomprehensible evolution of humanity. Through many complex design devices, the set design successfully achieves a vision for the future that is neither dystopian, nor entirely utopian, yet extraordinarily positive on a revolutionary scale.
Kubrik himself has never publicly discussed the ending to 2001 and admits that this was a very subjective film, while many people claim not to have understood it at all. Many interpretations have been made as to the real meaning of this scene, many incredibly different and most equally plausible. Despite their differences, however, all have one thing in common: an overwhelmingly optimistic vision for the future.
A few example interpretations include alien intervention: an idea that alien technology has helped man progress to the ‘next level’ of consciousness; to an understanding beyond the physical realm. Others adopt the idea of the emergence of man as pure thought completely of his own accord.
It is for this reason that the futuristic vision expressed in this scene cannot be labeled simply utopian. What viewers are offered during this scene spans far beyond an idealistic version of the world we live in today: various connotations found in the scene stretch the bounds and horizons of humanity itself.
The problem faced by Kubrik, and indeed the set designer was how to portray a near incomprehensible, purely conceptual journey on film. One theory sits with the idea of a metaphorical shift of entities: the room we see is a metaphor for the human body and respectively, Dave Bowman, the main character, becomes a metaphor for the human mind.
One of the elements that makes this scene appear to be ambiguous is the absence of dialogue and meaningful audio accompaniment. This absence draws additional attention to the visual elements of the scene. Furthermore, very little screen movement encourages us to study Dave’s surroundings, in this case an elaborately decorated room.
Though the set is not intended to be a physical rendition of the future itself, it does play a large role in channeling our thoughts and emotions while we are offered these fantastic, conceptual, futuristic ideas.
The set quickly becomes an overwhelming feature of the scene for one main reason: the uncomfortable feeling of incomprehension encourages us to look to physical features for familiarity; something solid to grasp onto. Kubrik does not offer us this. Instead, we are greeted with what appears to be an elaborately decorated hotel room void of doors and windows, complete with renaissance-like artwork and glowing floor tiles. This ambiguity heightens our sense of curiosity.
What we are first presented with is a somewhat illogical mix of objects: a space pod sitting in the middle of a bright white room with geometric space-aged glowing floor tiling and furniture, artwork and wall decorations that appear to be centuries old. This immediately communicates a mix of ideas including artistic creativity, high technology, cleanliness and calculated precision spanning centuries and continents. In all, these are elements which can be attributed to major triumphs and accomplishments of mankind over the physical domain; factors which distinguish the human race from the rest of the animal kingdom. Already the viewer has received a universally positive statement, whether or not they are aware of it on a conscious level.
The fact that this room is void of doors and windows reinforces the idea that it could exist merely as a container, as we have no idea what exists beyond it; where or when this object exists in time. The room appears to exist independent of these factors: it transcends time and space, and for this reason, one can begin to question its authenticity. Could this be a metaphor for the container of the human mind? Is this a tangible representation of our ability, as a human race, to manipulate the world around us? Once again, this is an personally subjective issue which was intended to be dealt with on an individual scale. In this way, the set design encourages the viewer to open their minds, to consider abstract concepts and relative impossibilities.
The glowing tiles which line the floor of the room are symbolic of technology, the future and humanity’s yearn for innovation. The combination of geometric lines, the definition of the x, y and z planes and bright white light give an impression of calculation, purity and precision: elements that are synonymous with high technology. It is known that bright cross lighting, used throughout this scene, can be incredibly revealing and in most cases can expose blemishes and imperfections in the set. In combination with the white walls, ceiling and floor, it can be seen that this set achieves nothing short of perfection, another reason to suspect a shift of reality.
The glowing tiles also serve as a source of high contrast to the artworks and old furniture situated throughout the room. Here the viewer is introduced to the featured colour: green. Green universally represents harmony with nature and the environment. The choice of green as a featured colour softens the intensity of the geometry of the floor tiles. If, for example, were blue used as a substitute, the room could risk appearing overly clinical, perhaps too futuristic, which would emphasize a reliance on technology. The furniture itself appears to be sophisticated and stylised, as though it came direct from an upper class nineteenth century western European home. This furniture implicitly suggests the idea of human sentimentality and an appreciation for the old and the aesthetic. The artworks which appear to be in the renaissance style put forth this idea also.
Countless explanations have been offered as to the reason for Dave’s rapid aging, the meaning of the monolith and the star child. Despite their differences, all share the idea of eternal optimism and divinity. This can be attributed largely to the set design and its role in channeling our thoughts and emotions during these bizarre encounters. This scene was a successful rendition of an intangible journey on a tangible, viewable scale.
Kubrik has been renowned for producing controversial films, 2001 being no exception. Unlike his other films, however, 2001 offers us an optimistic twist – a euphoric, revolutionary concept: that mankind will eventually rise above the physical realm to a level of existence incomprehensible to us at the present point in time.
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Appendix I
Brief outline of Entity Shift Interpretation (base for semiotic analysis)
In an effort to portray a spiritual evolution on a tangible scale, we witness a shift in entities. Dave’s environment, the decorated white room, becomes a metaphor for the human body. The body, Dave Bowman, becomes a metaphor for the human mind.
At the beginning of the scene, as Dave taps into a new level of consciousness, he is initially shocked. This can be seen by the alarming contrast between the red space suit Dave initially wears and the near pure white background. As Dave begins to accept his surroundings, we can see his body ‘age’ rapidly: the mind is maturing. On a different level, this also offers to us the idea that the mind is the only constant throughout life: while the tangible body ages and decays, the spirit remains the common denominator that makes each and every one of us an individual. It has been suggested that this is the essence of humanity.
The room, which remains completely static and has no windows or doors can be seen as a container, and in this way likens itself to the human body, the container of the human mind throughout life. The room itself appears highly constructed and artificial, an indicator of physicality. In some cases this can be seen to represent pretentiousness and vanity. On the other hand, the elements, namely the artwork, tiles and furniture, that make up the contents of the room appear to indicate a myriad of human achievements spanning centuries. Technology, a yearn for innovation, human creativity, classical architecture and high art are just a few elements that spring to mind.
Once Bowman accepts the mental transition, he begins to indulge himself. On one level we can see Dave begin to eat, on another he begins to consider his place in evolution, thinking, examining, progressing, evolving, and spiritually maturing.
When Dave’s wine glass smashes we see that it is time to move on. This action has been likened to the Jewish tradition of breaking glass at a wedding ceremony: a symbol of great change occurring. Stanley Kubrik himself is Jewish, which makes this parallel plausible. Aware of the Jewish tradition or not, the sight and sound of broken glass alone in the controlled environment holds enough contrast to shock us into thinking that change is about to occur. Dave is thereby about to enter the new level of conscious existence.
As we see Dave age once more, he appears to be near the end of his ‘life’. We see mankind reach out to the monolith for the final time in the film (the first time being when apes learned to use tools, the second time to make mankind aware of the happenings at Jupiter, some believe this was a call to announce Earth’s human race to the rest of the universe).
With a new camera shot, we are introduced to the star child: Dave has reached complete divinity, the sublime. Far more significant than visually aging, Dave has been reborn. He has outlived his physical body and has evolved to the beginning new level, hence we see the fetus-like object. This, followed by the realignment of the Earth, moon and sun; the discipline of space; a mystical frontier, represents a cosmic acceptance, a coming together of entities.
This was Kubrik’s vision for the future – a euphoric, revolutionary concept: that mankind would eventually rise above the physical realm to a level of existence incomprehensible to us at the present point in time.