Arizona: Top Trying to Rationalize Discrimination

Arizona's SB1062 gives us a wonderful example of how the view of a hierarchy is so different from the top than it is from the bottom.

People on top of a hierarchy (those claiming religion as a legitimate reason to discriminate) use rationalizations so that they won't have to examine how their actions adversely affect those in lower groups (in this case LGBT folks). Also coming into play are elaborate uses of "noble causes" to justify their beliefs.

What a wonderful example happened this week in Arizona, where people are using their hierarchical religions to rationalize that they are really the ones being slighted, because they can not hide behind their religion to discriminate.

In hierarchical religions, "Man" is not made in the image of God, but instead, "God" is made in the image of a man on top of a hierarchy. Here is a perfect example.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/25/us/arizona-brewer-sb1062/

An Old White Guy from Texas Done Good

Dale Hansen, a Dallas sports anchor for ABC local affiliate WFAA, made a wonderful address on Monday night in support of Michael Sam, the SEC defensive lineman poised to become the first openly gay player in the NFL.

He did a great job of pointing out that violent and criminal behavior of men is overlooked in allowing players the benefits of the NFL, but the NFL is balking at accepting a gay man. Typical of hierarchies, the top group (straight men) is allowed to act and and do as they please, but the bottom group (gay men) barely has the right to exist. 

Mr. Hansen was interviewed live today on "Ellen," with his charismatic wife Chris supporting him in the audience. He said that people might be surprised that an old, fat, white man from Texas would say what he did, and stereotypes are falling on both sides. He said that the outpouring of positive comments and support gives him hope for a good future for his children and grandchildren.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olc5C4SXAYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NTNZzskIME

You Won't Forget This Twenty Minutes

Even after studying hierarchies for thirty years, both of us were really amazed by this movie, and learned a lot.

Imagine a world where being gay or lesbian is the norm and being straight is the minority. This role reversal is a short movie told through the life of a girl who is straight, but is harassed in a homosexual culture that views being straight as wrong.

This short movie takes less than twenty minutes to watch, but you will remember that twenty minutes for a long time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnOJgDW0gPI

No Real Accountability in Sexual Abuse

Yes, sexual harassment and abuse is a problem. But as usual, we are trying to address the problem without holding the top accountable, our male culture. Instead, in a recent article:

"Children have a right to be safe in schools and schools have a legal and moral obligation to fulfill that promise," Miller said in a statement. "We must take every available and reasonable step we can to ensure that the people and schools that are entrusted with our children every day protect them from abuse."

We will not stop sexual assault until we stop thinking it is a normal part of life, and the best we can do is help our children to avoid becoming its victim.

It is way past time to state it clearly – MEN NEED TO CHANGE THEIR CULTURE THAT PROMOTES VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. As a society, we need to call out and make clear that it is time to tell men that they may think their abuse against women and children is beneficial, fun, enjoyable, sporty, and masculine, but we don't, SO STOP IT.

The picture in this article says it all. We all know who the culprit is. Put anyone else in that picture standing behind the young women, and it wouldn't make sense.

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/30/government-report-calls-for-more-vigilant-reporting-of-school-sexual-abuse?google_editors_picks=true

Men and Sexual Assault

President Obama's Weekly Address concerned sexual violence. We are glad to see that he emphasized the role of males in sexual assault. The traditional rhetoric has been to focus on protecting and training the women to avoid the attacks while not holding the male culture accountable to stop being violent.

Obama said:

"We’ve especially got to teach young men to show women the respect they deserve. I want every young man in America to know that real men don’t hurt women. And those of us who are fathers have a special obligation to make sure every young man out there understands that being a man means recognizing sexual violence and being outraged by it, and doing their part to stop it."

Women can not stop the culture that men pass down from generation to generation that sexual assault is their right, as women cope year after year as men refuse to change. It is time to hold men accountable to change themselves. 

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/01/25/obama_weekly_address_taking_action_to_end_sexual_assault.html

Congress Becomes Wealthier

Now Congress has a new distinction: over half of the nation's senators and representatives are now millionaires. Marking the first time, in 2012, that half of the members of Congress have passed the million dollar mark, the medium net worth is $1,008,767. 

It is not surprising, then, that members of Congress seem to be out of touch with the average American – proposing, fighting for, and passing laws that help the rich get richer, and working hard to defeat those that would help to decrease the ever-increasing gap between the rich and the poor.

As in any hierarchy, it is very difficult for those at the top to understand the experiences of those at the bottom. How long will it be before the Congress, when asked about the number of people in poverty in this country, will cluelessly respond, "Let them eat cake."

http://www.registerguard.com/rg/opinion/30999197-78/congress-million-net-worth-average.html.csp

Time Finally Brings Change

Florida officials have finally decided to change the name of a high school that was previously honored a former Confederate general, and a co-founder of the Ku Klux Klan.

Westside High is the new name of the school that used to be called Nathan B. Forrest High.

The vote for change was unanimous this time. But even just six years ago, the vote was 5-2 against the change.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/08/kkk-school-jacksonville/4375131/