Voter turnout in the 2012 Minnesota primary election was the lowest in over 60 years.
Only 8% of the state voted. People are either happy with the status quo, are resigned to the status quo, or...seriously...they did not get a reminder postcard from their local board of elections, or a booklet of some kind about the candidates. Not only that, but candidates were not campaigning as hard this year as they had in previous years.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
One Perspective
For centuries, European countries have existed as unique, individual entities. Each country had prejudice against the others, during times of war and peace alike. Each country had prejudices against common minorities as well.
In the twenty-first century, despite the financial problems caused by Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and Italy, the western nations of the European Union seem to function like a close-knit team. They have committed to some loft goals in terms of human rights, particularly in the area of LGBT individuals. The Council of Europe has recognized that LGBT people contribute to national culture, and that by 2020 all cultural heritage institutions in the European Union will have LGBT resources. The European Union has gone so far as to say that "homophobia will not be tolerated in the EU", and it is beginning to enforce anti-discrimination laws in its new central and eastern European member states. Prominent European sports figures have even made pro-LGBT statements on television, with the hope of taming any homophobic sentiments in their rowdy fans.
At the same time, in everyday conversations, ordinary EU citizens make it plain on who does not belong. They are fast to say that the Muslims do not support gay pride, which quickly translates to Muslims are the problem in the EU, even though . They are also chilly toward any mention of Serbians, Russians, and Ukrainians. "The Ukraine will never be a part of the EU," a man from Ireland told me, even though my question to him was how to help two gay Ukrainian men find funding for their magazine, the only gay magazine in the Ukraine. The privileged educated elite also have no sense of charity or reaching out to the working class and poor. There is no sense of LGBT brotherhood/sisterhood that transcends class or educational status. It is a very different movement than in the United States.
I have returned from two weeks in Amsterdam, which is one of the most multicultural, international cities in Europe. During that time I have spoken with native Amsterdammers, as well as people from other EU countries during an international conference for LGBT librarians, archivists, and museum curators. I was shocked to find that their concept of support for LGBT rights did not extend past their borders. In an increasingly wired world, where only laws prohibit us from making all LGBT books available digitally for everyone around the world, this attitude must change. Social justice is a global movement, not limited to a privileged few.
The motto of the European Union is "United in Diversity". But how is it so when EU countries continue to ban headscarves, veils, and other religious clothing and jewelry, when EU countries ban kosher and halal slaughter, and when EU countries continue to evict and forcibly relocate their Roma populations? If homophobia has no place in the EU, then what about all of the other phobias?
In the United States, we have our problems. We are far from a perfect country, and perhaps we are a little less educated than the European Union. But we admit our faults. We know too well our history and present state of racism, religious discrimination, and homophobia/transphobia. We make fewer grand national statements, but make greater, more permanent improvements in civil rights through national discussion as well as legislation. We know that there will always be those who will not agree...and we know that, as long as they harm no one, we are OK if they do not agree.
In the twenty-first century, despite the financial problems caused by Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and Italy, the western nations of the European Union seem to function like a close-knit team. They have committed to some loft goals in terms of human rights, particularly in the area of LGBT individuals. The Council of Europe has recognized that LGBT people contribute to national culture, and that by 2020 all cultural heritage institutions in the European Union will have LGBT resources. The European Union has gone so far as to say that "homophobia will not be tolerated in the EU", and it is beginning to enforce anti-discrimination laws in its new central and eastern European member states. Prominent European sports figures have even made pro-LGBT statements on television, with the hope of taming any homophobic sentiments in their rowdy fans.
At the same time, in everyday conversations, ordinary EU citizens make it plain on who does not belong. They are fast to say that the Muslims do not support gay pride, which quickly translates to Muslims are the problem in the EU, even though . They are also chilly toward any mention of Serbians, Russians, and Ukrainians. "The Ukraine will never be a part of the EU," a man from Ireland told me, even though my question to him was how to help two gay Ukrainian men find funding for their magazine, the only gay magazine in the Ukraine. The privileged educated elite also have no sense of charity or reaching out to the working class and poor. There is no sense of LGBT brotherhood/sisterhood that transcends class or educational status. It is a very different movement than in the United States.
I have returned from two weeks in Amsterdam, which is one of the most multicultural, international cities in Europe. During that time I have spoken with native Amsterdammers, as well as people from other EU countries during an international conference for LGBT librarians, archivists, and museum curators. I was shocked to find that their concept of support for LGBT rights did not extend past their borders. In an increasingly wired world, where only laws prohibit us from making all LGBT books available digitally for everyone around the world, this attitude must change. Social justice is a global movement, not limited to a privileged few.
The motto of the European Union is "United in Diversity". But how is it so when EU countries continue to ban headscarves, veils, and other religious clothing and jewelry, when EU countries ban kosher and halal slaughter, and when EU countries continue to evict and forcibly relocate their Roma populations? If homophobia has no place in the EU, then what about all of the other phobias?
In the United States, we have our problems. We are far from a perfect country, and perhaps we are a little less educated than the European Union. But we admit our faults. We know too well our history and present state of racism, religious discrimination, and homophobia/transphobia. We make fewer grand national statements, but make greater, more permanent improvements in civil rights through national discussion as well as legislation. We know that there will always be those who will not agree...and we know that, as long as they harm no one, we are OK if they do not agree.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission's Stand on the Marriage Amendment
The following is the Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission's official stand on the proposed marriage amendment, which would define marriage as a bond between one man and one woman. This press release will be published in the St. Cloud Times, and has appeared in other venues.
ST. CLOUD AREA REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
March 22, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The St. Cloud Area Regional Human Rights Commission announces its opposition to the proposed Constitutional Amendment against marriage equality in Minnesota.
Consistent with the resolution of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions, passed in May, 2011, local commissioners voted at its December, 2011, meeting to “oppose changing the Minnesota constitution in order to ban the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and unions.”
Cara Ruff, chair of the St. Cloud Area Regional Commission, stated, “Our purpose is to secure for all citizens and visitors equal opportunity, access, inclusion and participation in the affairs of this community. We agree with the state League of Human Rights Commissions that ‘this legislation, if approved, would have a direct, negative impact on Minnesota’s GLBT community in particular, by denying equal protection of -the law and relegating families headed by or consisting of same-sex couples to a permanent second-class citizenship status’.”
According to estimates from the Williams Institute of the UCLA School of Law, the city of St. Cloud has approximately 94 same-sex couple households. The three surrounding counties—Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns—have approximately 223 same-sex households. (http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Census2010Snapshot_Minnesota_v2.pdf)
“Our role in the community is to promote and protect the human rights of all our residents and to work diligently to prevent discrimination based on a number of characteristics, including sexual orientation,” Ruff stated. “We believe that the proposed amendment would enshrine discrimination against same-sex couples in our state Constitution on a permanent basis. As human rights advocates, we believe it is our responsibility to voice our opposition.”
For more information: Cara Ruff (cara@independentlifestyles.org)
Judy Foster (320) 240-6362
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Is Circumcision a Human Rights Violation?
In the court of Cologne, Germany, judges had called circumcision a "criminal act", equating it with bodily harm. Jewish and Muslim groups around the world have expressed deep concern over the ruling. If all of Germany declares circumcision a criminal act, people would either have to travel abroad for the ritual procedure, or emigrate from Germany entirely.
While many studies show that there are multiple health benefits to circumcision, these benefits are often debated. Jewish and Muslim groups, as well as secular ones, also have conflicting views on circumcision.
Male circumcision is addressed in the Old Testament. God commanded that Abraham, all of the men of his tribe, and all descendants should cut their foreskins to show their loyalty to God and also to identify themselves as God's Chosen People. It is the responsibility of the father to circumcise his son when he is eight days old. The family hires a mohel, or a ritual circumciser, to perform this duty during a celebration. The mohel receives special training in this art. Secular Jews will take their baby boys to a hospital for a surgical procedure. To date, there has been no evidence that this procedure harms Jewish males or their sexual capabilities, and no reports of Jewish males suffering injury or death from the procedure.
Male circumcision is not addressed in the Koran, but has become regular practice for Muslims around the world. Legend has it, however, that Mohammed said that circumcision is traditional for men and "meritorious" for women...but never said that Allah requires it. Depending on their cultural traditions, male Muslims are circumcised at different ages. Grown men who convert to Islam may be expected to have themselves circumcised.
Unlike male circumcision, female circumcision (also known as "female genital mutilation" or FGM) has no health benefits, and has been proven to cause harm to women later in life. It is an extremely painful procedure that often renders a woman unable to enjoy sexual intercourse, and can lead to various forms of cancer. Some families who come from countries that practice FGM seek asylum in non-FGM practicing countries, to protect their daughters from this damaging practice. Female circumcision is against the law in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Sweden, as well as in 15 African countries...but Germany has yet to outlaw this practice.
If the German circumcision ruling does something to address FGM, that would be one giant leap for womankind.
While many studies show that there are multiple health benefits to circumcision, these benefits are often debated. Jewish and Muslim groups, as well as secular ones, also have conflicting views on circumcision.
Male circumcision is addressed in the Old Testament. God commanded that Abraham, all of the men of his tribe, and all descendants should cut their foreskins to show their loyalty to God and also to identify themselves as God's Chosen People. It is the responsibility of the father to circumcise his son when he is eight days old. The family hires a mohel, or a ritual circumciser, to perform this duty during a celebration. The mohel receives special training in this art. Secular Jews will take their baby boys to a hospital for a surgical procedure. To date, there has been no evidence that this procedure harms Jewish males or their sexual capabilities, and no reports of Jewish males suffering injury or death from the procedure.
Male circumcision is not addressed in the Koran, but has become regular practice for Muslims around the world. Legend has it, however, that Mohammed said that circumcision is traditional for men and "meritorious" for women...but never said that Allah requires it. Depending on their cultural traditions, male Muslims are circumcised at different ages. Grown men who convert to Islam may be expected to have themselves circumcised.
Unlike male circumcision, female circumcision (also known as "female genital mutilation" or FGM) has no health benefits, and has been proven to cause harm to women later in life. It is an extremely painful procedure that often renders a woman unable to enjoy sexual intercourse, and can lead to various forms of cancer. Some families who come from countries that practice FGM seek asylum in non-FGM practicing countries, to protect their daughters from this damaging practice. Female circumcision is against the law in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Sweden, as well as in 15 African countries...but Germany has yet to outlaw this practice.
If the German circumcision ruling does something to address FGM, that would be one giant leap for womankind.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité
July 14th is Bastille Day. It is hard to name another national holiday that truly commemorates the fight for human rights.
Bastille Day, also called "French National Day" in English speaking countries, is known in its native France as La Féte Nationale, or "The National Celebration". The holiday not only commemorates the French Revolution, but more specifically, the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The Bastille was a fortress prison that held people jailed on the whims of the king, as well as political prisoners whose writings offended the royal government. Even though only seven prisoners inhabited the Bastille at that time, the prison was a symbol of everything wrong with the French monarchy--autocracy, censorship, terror, and unquestioned power based on class. The revolutionaries, with the held of the crowd and household troops of the French Army, took over the Bastille and freed the prisoners.
In 1790, La Féte Nationale was celebrated for the first time. For four days, Parisians of all classes feasted, drank fine wine, and ran naked in the streets together to celebrate their freedom, equality, and common humanity. In 1880, the French Republic voted to have Bastille Day as a one day national holiday that would include a military parade. To this day, the French military parade is the oldest and largest military parade in Europe.
For a short time, the President used Bastille Day to pardon criminals who commit minor offenses; in 2007 President Sarkozy abandoned the practice. This break with tradition may be one reason why Sarkozy lost the recent election.
Today Bastille Day is celebrated in Belgium, Hungary, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and 50 cities in the United States...including the Twin Cities.
Bastille Day, also called "French National Day" in English speaking countries, is known in its native France as La Féte Nationale, or "The National Celebration". The holiday not only commemorates the French Revolution, but more specifically, the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The Bastille was a fortress prison that held people jailed on the whims of the king, as well as political prisoners whose writings offended the royal government. Even though only seven prisoners inhabited the Bastille at that time, the prison was a symbol of everything wrong with the French monarchy--autocracy, censorship, terror, and unquestioned power based on class. The revolutionaries, with the held of the crowd and household troops of the French Army, took over the Bastille and freed the prisoners.
In 1790, La Féte Nationale was celebrated for the first time. For four days, Parisians of all classes feasted, drank fine wine, and ran naked in the streets together to celebrate their freedom, equality, and common humanity. In 1880, the French Republic voted to have Bastille Day as a one day national holiday that would include a military parade. To this day, the French military parade is the oldest and largest military parade in Europe.
For a short time, the President used Bastille Day to pardon criminals who commit minor offenses; in 2007 President Sarkozy abandoned the practice. This break with tradition may be one reason why Sarkozy lost the recent election.
Today Bastille Day is celebrated in Belgium, Hungary, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and 50 cities in the United States...including the Twin Cities.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Google's "Legalize Love" Campaign
Google is promoting safer working conditions for LGBT employees in any country where there is a Google office. They call this the "Legalize Love" campaign. Originally, reporters believed that this campaign supported same-sex marriage, but this is not the case.
The campaign will begin in Singapore and Poland.
The campaign will begin in Singapore and Poland.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Fourth of July: Independence Day
In the United States, we celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July. Independence Day commemorates the adoption of our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, thus declaring our independence from Great Britain. Many people use this date as the first day of the United States of America's existence as a free nation.
Many Americans view the Fourth of July almost the same way as they do Veterans Day and Memorial Day. We seem to commemorate the veterans of all of our wars, not just the Revolutionary War, as well as all of the enlisted men and women who fought and died to defend our country (or the Union, or the Confederacy), or those who fought and died to defend the simple concepts of freedom and democracy for all.
How long will the United States remain a free nation? Economically, the United States is subject to China. For decades Americans have purchased everything--from clothes to television sets to Barbie dolls to garlic--from China. We are hard pressed to find items actually made in the United States for sale.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
In spite of their economic turmoil, the currency of the European Union is worth more than the US dollar. EU members can enjoy a pretty reasonably priced vacation in the United States, complete with three full meals a day, and not really feel it in the wallet. In the meantime, our food prices are going up, American salaries and benefits are being frozen or cut back, and for the first time in a long time American children are not getting enough to eat.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
After 9/11, Americans have silently conceded to the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. These two federal departments have made domestic and international travel for Americans a criminal offense, as all Americans--even those taking a plane from one city to another in the same state--are scanned and patted, and subject to more invasive searches upon the whim of a high school graduate with a uniform, a badge, and a taste of power. We allow this, because the majority of Americans are convinced that terrorists walk among us, and we have nothing to fear if we are good, honest people. Unless we are wearing a controversial Tshirt, or a questionable complexion.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
We are not free to smoke or drink during our spare time.
We are not free to have casual sex.
We are not free to tell certain jokes or admit that we like certain celebrities.
But somehow...those in power have all the right, those with money have all the right, and those with money have all of the power and privilege without paying their fair share of federal and state taxes.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
We are being actively discouraged from questioning the powers that be, and their actions. In spite of corporate demands for employees with higher level critical thinking skills, American schools discourage students from asking questions and bombard them with standardized tests. If any learning does take place, hopefully it would happen outside of school...
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
Slavery was officially made illegal in the United States through the Thirteenth Amendment of our Constitution in 1865, but industrial farms and food processing plants still use contractors that provide illegal labor, so they can be paid less than minimum wage and no benefits...or perhaps nothing at all. There is no law on the books in the United States which states that a sex worker is entitled to her own earnings, which opens up the field for pimps and human traffickers. Then there are those who will cycle in and out of the prison system for generations, millions of wasted potentials.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
Many Americans view the Fourth of July almost the same way as they do Veterans Day and Memorial Day. We seem to commemorate the veterans of all of our wars, not just the Revolutionary War, as well as all of the enlisted men and women who fought and died to defend our country (or the Union, or the Confederacy), or those who fought and died to defend the simple concepts of freedom and democracy for all.
How long will the United States remain a free nation? Economically, the United States is subject to China. For decades Americans have purchased everything--from clothes to television sets to Barbie dolls to garlic--from China. We are hard pressed to find items actually made in the United States for sale.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
In spite of their economic turmoil, the currency of the European Union is worth more than the US dollar. EU members can enjoy a pretty reasonably priced vacation in the United States, complete with three full meals a day, and not really feel it in the wallet. In the meantime, our food prices are going up, American salaries and benefits are being frozen or cut back, and for the first time in a long time American children are not getting enough to eat.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
After 9/11, Americans have silently conceded to the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. These two federal departments have made domestic and international travel for Americans a criminal offense, as all Americans--even those taking a plane from one city to another in the same state--are scanned and patted, and subject to more invasive searches upon the whim of a high school graduate with a uniform, a badge, and a taste of power. We allow this, because the majority of Americans are convinced that terrorists walk among us, and we have nothing to fear if we are good, honest people. Unless we are wearing a controversial Tshirt, or a questionable complexion.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
We are not free to smoke or drink during our spare time.
We are not free to have casual sex.
We are not free to tell certain jokes or admit that we like certain celebrities.
But somehow...those in power have all the right, those with money have all the right, and those with money have all of the power and privilege without paying their fair share of federal and state taxes.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
We are being actively discouraged from questioning the powers that be, and their actions. In spite of corporate demands for employees with higher level critical thinking skills, American schools discourage students from asking questions and bombard them with standardized tests. If any learning does take place, hopefully it would happen outside of school...
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
Slavery was officially made illegal in the United States through the Thirteenth Amendment of our Constitution in 1865, but industrial farms and food processing plants still use contractors that provide illegal labor, so they can be paid less than minimum wage and no benefits...or perhaps nothing at all. There is no law on the books in the United States which states that a sex worker is entitled to her own earnings, which opens up the field for pimps and human traffickers. Then there are those who will cycle in and out of the prison system for generations, millions of wasted potentials.
How long will the United States remain a free nation?
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