4 - Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
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CHRIS KOSLOWSKI
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Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
Extending equality
State legislature must pass bills to recognize gay rights
Michigan's overall legal climate is still one of discrimina-
tion for the gay community. But coming on the heels
of a small win for gay rights in the election earlier this
month - when voters in Kalamazoo added sexual orientation to
a local non-discrimination ordinance - the state legislature may
consider bills that, if passed, would amount to significant legal
improvements for gay people. While it's unlikely that the govern-
ment will reverse the statewide ballot initiative that banned same-
sex marriage in 2004, principled legislators should recognize that
gay people deserve the same marriage rights as everyone else. Bills
that reverse this injustice must be passed.
Two separate bills to improve gay rights
are currently making their way through
the legislature. In the state House of Rep-
resentatives is a bill that would overturn
the 2004 amendment to Michigan's con-
stitution that prevents spousal benefits
from being offered to same-sex couples,
including access to health care. Because
the bill would overturn a constitutional
amendment, it requires a two-thirds vote
of approval to pass. And in the state Senate,
a bill would update the Elliot-Larsen Civil
Rights Act of 1976 to include sexual orienta-
tion and identification as a protected group
under state non-discrimination laws.
There is no excuse for anyone to be
denied access to public services based on
their sexual orientation or expression.
Basic civil rights should extend to every-
one, regardless of race, creed, color, nation-
ality or sexual orientation. The fact that
sexual orientation hasn't been included in
the state law is symbolic of Michigan's fail-
ure to recognize gay people as deserving of
equal rights. Failing to pass the bill updat-
ing that act would be a disgrace - one
more in Michigan's line of discriminatory
legislation regarding the gay community.
The legislature shouldn't hesitate to pass
this bill.
But a more significant victory for gay
rights would be the approval of the House
bill to legalize same-sex marriage. So long
as the statewide same-sex marriage ban
remains codified law, Michigan will never
be able to say that it is a state that affords all
of its citizens equal rights and treats them
with dignity. Reversing this should be one
of the state's highest priorities.
Realistically speaking, it may be unlike-
ly that the legislature acts on this bill. As
long as a majority of the voters of Michigan
appear to cling to backward beliefs about
marriage and sexual orientation, politicians
will, regrettably, be afraid to cross them.
Supporters of gay rights must do their best
to demand equality with an even greater
fervor and persuade the opponents of same-
sex marriage that such a position is intoler-
ant and unjust. And one day, when enough
people have opened their eyes to this real-
ity, same-sex marriage will, one way or
another, win approval.
But legislators shouldn't feel the need to
wait until that day. They have the opportu-
nity to change state law and end discrimi-
nation against gay people. And in a broader
sense, they can finally pgt Michigan oAthe
correct side of one of the most important
civil rights struggles of the decade. Both
these bills should be put before Gov. Jen-
nifer Granholm's desk and signed into law.
Oh, hi there, Un Ive si ty7y6-Its h to vve up parenting
officials. Don't mind me. Since 'n a cartoon character, now, because OTPs are the
Im just enoyngthe coo the governtent says your onlycigarettes with the mild
ehness of my children will be powerless to taste kids love. Mmmnm satisfy-
OTPrand cigarees i resist my persuasive charts. in& Act nowbefore the
ee capus ban is enacted
Right, left and wrong
Ihate being called a conserva- to be rather than as it is. This sets servatives have been swept up by a
tive. Few things annoy me more the stage for a revolution in per- tide of false populism led by Sarah
than responses to my columns manence, or a continuing political Palmn that offers no real change in
that label me a conservative and my movement toward the ideal. The direction for our country.Atbest her
views "right-wing." Most of what idea of a permanent revolution is vision of the future is a mix between
I believe in runs common among the beliefs of other whatever World War II special she
contrary to both -leftists, such as Marxists, social- happened no catch last night and a
parties. 0 support ists and communists. The idea of Norman Rockwell calendar.
free trade and end- complete self-ownership, the key But the Democrats are no better.
ing subsidies to unifier of classical liberal and lib- Although Bush added to the deficit,
oil companies. a ertarian thought, was perhaps best fought pointless wars and intro-
supported unham- articulated by Lord Acton, a British duced Medicare entitlements that
pered free markets statesman of the 19th century: "Lib- cost $15 trillion as unfunded liabii-
and unlimited civil meralism is essentially revolutionary
liberties. I sup- Facts must yield to ideas. Peeaoably
port ending the VINCENT and patiently if possible.kViolently if
War on Poverty, PATSY not." fisAl o Bs ayto
the War on Drugs The right, on the other hand,is
and our country's simply a reaction to these new politi- popular belilef
wars abroad. Most cal philosophies and a longing for
people today are locked in to the the restoration of the old srder. The RepubliCan and
conservative vs. liberal paradigm of right represents the last dying ele-
political choices, and simply can't ments of serfdom, theocracy and
imagine another direction.But these rule by elites. As for our current enoCrats are
people are confused on what left and political dichotomy, most politi- Con r t
right actually mean. cians, whether Democrat or Repub- O ~ ~ r a1e
The terms left and right as politi- lican, are on the right. They seek to
cal distinctions came about in the keep their positions of power while
French legislature duringthe French nominally supporting civil liberties
Revolution. The side on which legis- or free markets, but urge for prag- ties, President Barack Obama has
lanures would sin represented their matism to stymie any leftist cries for taken the Bush blueprint and run
affiliation to the Ring of France, revolution, wild with it. His plans are adding
with those on the right moderately In this proper context. 0 am proud trillions of dollars to the national
supporting the regime and those to be a leftist. I am a liberal: 0 believe debt. And regardless of which party
on the left opposing it. On the left that each person is sovereign only is in charge, the U.S's foreign policy
were, broadly speaking, two types unto himself, and that each person remains interventionist.
of thinkers -- the socialists and the owns himself and can act accord- Washington D.C., is right-
classical liberals (or modern-day lib- ing to his wishes as long as he does winged. It is full of politicians who
ertarians). not interfere with others' personal - like the French legislators who sat
The key uniting feature of leftism rights, on the right and supported the king
is that it is centered around a phi- Unfortunately, neither politi- - work to maintain the status quo.
losophy and seeks to make the world cal party has been even close to They do this by bailing out their rich
reflect that philosophy. The social- adopting this philosophy in the last financial friends while keepingpow-
ists, fot their part, sought to end the decade. President George W. Bush erful special interest groups happy.
idea of private property and replace imposed trade barriers on steel early I am not a conservgtive. Those
it with communal ownership. The in his first term and began the pro- who support the modern Democratic
classical liberals wanted to enhance cess of "stabilizing" the financial and Republican parties are the con-
individual freedoms through free system by giving loads of money to servatives.
markets and personal liberties. Goldman Sachs, an entity that just
To be on the left means that one so happenedto have influence in the - Vincen Patsy can be reached
prefers to see the world as it ought Treasury Department. Today, con- atsapaltsy@umich edu.
The Daily is looking for a diverse group of strong, informed, passionate
writers to be columnists for the winter semester. Columnists write a
700-800 word column every other week on a topic of their choosing.
If you are an opinionated and talented writer, consider applying.
E-MAIL RACHEL VAN GILDRR AT RACHELVG@UMICH.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION.
MILES JACKSON| I ~ f
When racism hits close to home
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, Emily Barton, Jamie Block, William Butler, Ben Caleca, Nicholas Clift,
Michelle DeWitt, Brian Flaherty, Emma Jeszke, Sutha K Kanagasingam,
Erika Mayer, Edward McPhee, Harsha Panduranga, Alex Schiff, Asa Smith,
Brittany Smith, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Laura Veith
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
PromiseScholarship should
be based on need
TO THE DAILY:
Even as a recipient of the Michigan Promise
Scholarship, I have yet to hear a truly compel-
ling argument for its reinstatement, including
the Daily's editorial on Monday (No more bro-
ken promises, 11/23/2009).
Yes, I value higher education funding, and yes,
I understand the additional financial hardship
that the scholarship's cancellationmay put on the
backs of some Michigan families. The Michigan
Promise Scholarship, however, was flawed from
its introduction. The scholarship rewards stu-
dents on a sliding scale based on their achieve-
ment as measured by the state-run Michigan
Merit Examination. But the high school students
who often need the most financial assistance are
those who reside in school districts that fare the
worst on these examinations.
I think that this situation calls for Michigan
lawmakers to take a close look at their policies
on education. Sure, roll back the earned income
tax credit, but put the money to better use for
students in greater need.
I most likely will not receive my $2,000
scholarship this year and I'll miss it dearly.
But I will just have to take the hit. But I know,
nonetheless, that I'll soon be one of the proud
Michiganders who can put their higher educa-
tion to use for the greater good of this state.
Eric Maier
School of Music junior
Republicans are atfaultfor
failed Promise Scholarship
TO THE DAILY:
The Daily's editorial Monday unfairlyblamed
Gov. Jennifer Granholm for the legislature's
decision to cut the Michigan Promise Scholar-
ship (No more brokenpromises, 11/23/2009). The
editorial failed to recognize that it was the leg-
islature - not the governor- that deliberately
left funding for the Michigan Promise out of
the budget. When this budget reached her desk,
the governor had two choices: Veto it and force
a government shutdown, or sign it and hope to
fund the Michigan Promise Scholarship with a
supplemental appropriations bill. She chose the
latter because a government shutdown would
have been catastrophic in a state suffering from
the ongoing recession.
The blame for this cut lies mostly with the
Republicans in the state Senate. Under Major-
ity Leader Mike Bishop, Senate Republicans
have refused to create new revenue sources to
compensate for revenue decreases as a result
of the economic downturn. Since Michigan's
constitution requires a balanced budget, the
legislature must make cuts to eliminate budget
shortfalls if it is unwilling to raise revenue to
close these budget gaps. One of the cuts that
the Senate Republicans chose to make was the
Michigan Promise Scholarship. Unfortunately,
House Speaker Andy Dillon was complacent
when faced with the decision.
Contrary to the Daily's editorial, Granholm's
actions with regard to higher education match
her rhetoric. She continues her campaign to
restore the Promise Scholarship. On Monday,
for example, she traveled to Eastern Michigan
University to encourage students to pressure
their representatives to prioritize education
funding. As the leader of the executive branch,
she does not have the power of the purse and
is unable to restore the scholarship by herself.
She needs students to help her efforts by pres-
suring legislators to keep their promise.
I encourage you to contact your legislators
over the next few weeks and let them know
how you feel about their broken promises and
reckless cuts. I am confident that by raising our
collective voice, we can convince the legisla-
ture to keep its promise to us.
Samuel Marvin
Chair of the University's chapter of the College
Democrats .
On Oct. 24, 1 came home to see my roommates' friends
watching the football game. I introduced myself and
walked to my room, just beyond the living room. I hung
out in my room with the two girls while the guys were
glued to the TV, drinking beer. After the game, I noticed
my Barack Obama poster had been moved. Not only had
the poster been relocated, but the word "NIGGER" was
also scribbled across it. One of the guests had written
the ignorant slur and disappeared. I angrily demanded
to know who had written it, but the others in the house
pleaded the Fifth.
President Barack Obama is a symbol of change and
progress. But for the narrow-minded citizens that still
infest our country, his face manifests the end of their Jim
Crow white supremacy. Obama, as a political champion
and the first African-American president, has achieved
the equality that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed
about. The racist act of vandalism that happened in my
house is a reminder that the racism that we have fought
to end still exists.
My father grew up in the South, and he endured racial
battles everyday. As boys, my father and uncle were
verbally harassed by whites. Whites called them the
"N" word and gave them no respect. One time, a police
officer approached my father - who was working on a
Goodwill truck to put himself through college - and
drunkenly put a gun to his face.
I cannot imagine how my father must have felt, but
after my poster was defaced, I felt defenseless, irate and
dehumanized. I am deeply offended and disgusted by
this defamation. I don't know if what this person wrote
was aimed at Obama, directed at me, or both. I have
experienced racism before, but to have such a repulsive
act done to me in my own home caught me off guard.
I condemn not only the criminals who defaced my
property, but also their friends, who sat quietly, allowed
such disrespect and scurried away when confronted.
What can I do to exact justice on these criminals?
I called the Ann Arbor Police. The officer collected
information on a yellow notepad and then asked me
how much the poster was worth. Well, sir, the poster is
invaluable to me because Obama is the first black presi-
dent and that means something to me and many other
people. But it's probably worth $5. Do you want to buy
me a new one so when I show my. future kids, they do
not have to see the ugly racism that still existed in 2009?
Discrimination still permeates our society, but I never
thought that I would be its target. Who would have
thought I would encounter such hatred in Ann Arbor?
As a campus, we must combat these crimes with vigi-
lance and fervor. 0 hope for justice, and I believe we can
step forward as an integrated, united society if we-all
promote equality. I cannot love my enemies - I can only
hope that they will acknowledge their wrongdoing. But I
won't sit quietly. I intend to spread this message widely.
I ask fellow students to join me in condemning hatred
and bigotry. All students - black and white, gay and
straight, Asians and Native Americans, Arab and Jew-
ish - should unite to protest this stupidity. I am hoping
the campus chapter of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People and other anti-racist
organizations will join with me to demand that action be
taken whenever such events occur. In addition, I am ask-
ing that the Ann Arbor Police find the culprit and make
him or her explain these actions upon prosecution, and
have faith that these actions will be punished by law.
Miles Jackson is an LSA senior.
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