In case you didn't hear, one of the Religious Right's most outspoken and controversial leaders died earlier this week.
While I certainly send my condolences to Reverend Falwell's family - as we all do - I cannot but help feel a lasting bitterness. His words and actions have caused alot of personal pain to alot of people over the years, and I think it is important that this is acknowledged, even as we pay our respects.
Jerry Falwell's work was vital in the takeover of the Republican Party by religious zealots - the same zealots that intimidate legislators into passing anti-gay legislation. Their recent preferences include gay marriage bans, like the ones that we fought last year on our campuses. I guess you might say the issue is a bit personal for me, as I worked for Fair Wisconsin during the last election cycle as the Madison Campus Organizer.
His death gives us an opportunity reflect on where our society has gone under the control of these radical groups.
Falwell, in response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, remarked:
It needs to stop. Now.
While CDW certainly does not endorse the views of other blogs, I certainly understand the anger expressed by some (like Wonkette) at Jerry Falwell. Considering his body of work, one can certainly understand the frustration expressed by many on the left. NPR has a more balanced and fair take on the issue.
I encourage you to take a few minutes, read different perspectives, and reflect on how the work of the Religious Right has impacted your own life - whether that is restrictions on birth control to the marginalization of your LGBT peers. As we look toward 2008, a year when Democrats are offering voters an unprecedent slate of experienced, diverse candidates, it quickly becomes clear that the bigotry and prejudice of past generations can no longer be tolerated. We have an unprecedent opportunity to build our chapters in the state, striving ever to make them more inclusive and for all citizens, in contrast to our peers in the Collgege Republicans. We stand for a politics that champions rights and respect for all people. In 2008, Wisconsin College Democrats will show that our anger about the injustices done to our gay allies, in 2006 and previously, will not go away. Instead, we will deliver the state to the Democratic candidate for a sixth consecutive election, and we will play a vital role in the takeover of the State Assembly.
The death of Reverend Falwell gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the past, and work toward a better future. I look forward to taking the advantage of this opportunity in 2008 and beyond, and I encourage you to get engaged in the effort to make a better America for all citizens.
While I certainly send my condolences to Reverend Falwell's family - as we all do - I cannot but help feel a lasting bitterness. His words and actions have caused alot of personal pain to alot of people over the years, and I think it is important that this is acknowledged, even as we pay our respects.
Jerry Falwell's work was vital in the takeover of the Republican Party by religious zealots - the same zealots that intimidate legislators into passing anti-gay legislation. Their recent preferences include gay marriage bans, like the ones that we fought last year on our campuses. I guess you might say the issue is a bit personal for me, as I worked for Fair Wisconsin during the last election cycle as the Madison Campus Organizer.
His death gives us an opportunity reflect on where our society has gone under the control of these radical groups.
Falwell, in response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, remarked:
I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.It is exactly this kind of rhetoric that continues to poision the political environment for many of our friends, family, co-workers, teachers, and perhaps even ourselves. It is this kind of rhetoric that tells citizens that it's okay to make LGBT Americans citizen class citizens. It is this kind of rhetoric that says prejudice is okay.
It needs to stop. Now.
While CDW certainly does not endorse the views of other blogs, I certainly understand the anger expressed by some (like Wonkette) at Jerry Falwell. Considering his body of work, one can certainly understand the frustration expressed by many on the left. NPR has a more balanced and fair take on the issue.
I encourage you to take a few minutes, read different perspectives, and reflect on how the work of the Religious Right has impacted your own life - whether that is restrictions on birth control to the marginalization of your LGBT peers. As we look toward 2008, a year when Democrats are offering voters an unprecedent slate of experienced, diverse candidates, it quickly becomes clear that the bigotry and prejudice of past generations can no longer be tolerated. We have an unprecedent opportunity to build our chapters in the state, striving ever to make them more inclusive and for all citizens, in contrast to our peers in the Collgege Republicans. We stand for a politics that champions rights and respect for all people. In 2008, Wisconsin College Democrats will show that our anger about the injustices done to our gay allies, in 2006 and previously, will not go away. Instead, we will deliver the state to the Democratic candidate for a sixth consecutive election, and we will play a vital role in the takeover of the State Assembly.
The death of Reverend Falwell gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the past, and work toward a better future. I look forward to taking the advantage of this opportunity in 2008 and beyond, and I encourage you to get engaged in the effort to make a better America for all citizens.
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