Russia’s War Against Rainbows
I believe that the media is very biased and has its own agenda. There are very few news agencies that present the news in an accurate unbiased manor. Unfortunately in our society, many people get there news from only one source. This can lead them to believe things that are only part of the truth. The news agencies have enormous power over people and most people don't even realize it. To fit in people spew out worthless information or opinions they heard on their favorite channel the night before. This leads to misinformation and bias that can greatly hurt society. The way news agencies portray or present a story is exactly how the public takes the story. One story I found concerned a new law concerning LGBT rights in Russia. The article on NY Times.com called “Russia’s War Against Rainbows”, talks about lawmakers plan to ban propaganda of homosexuality. I literally had to read that line a few times because I didn't understand what it meant. Apparently the president, Vladimir Putin, has an agenda to destroy public space. He has put news agencies and even corporations and the private sector under increasing government control and supervision. Then I realized that Russian lawmakers want to exterminate “gay” from their society. They are apparently ok with people being gay but not with them expressing who they are. LGBT organizations are going to be banned from organizing. Couples may even be banned form having children. They want to make the rainbow an illegal symbol. This is obscenely hypocritical and outrageous. HOw can the government disregard an entire part of the population. It’s very upsetting to me and just another example of how the world doesn't like people who are different.
Gay rights: Africa, the new frontier
Even though gay rights in the United States are way below where they need to be, other countries still pale in comparison to our laws. Some cultures still deny their existence and punish or kill people found to be gay. Another article I found on BBC.com “Gay rights; Africa the New Frontier” talks about the push for gay rights in Africa. The reality in the majority of these countries is that homosexual acts are illegal and come with violent harsh penalties for violating the laws. One of the pieces of information I found most interesting in the article is the existence of an official memorandum that directs US government agencies to consider gay rights when making aid and asylum decisions. I’m not entirely sure how often we follow this policy, but it sounds to me that if a country denies homosexual’s rights the US Government could reduce or refuse aid all together based solely on that fact. I actually laughed when I read that because if you think about it then technically we should sanction ourselves. We don't deny the existence of homosexuals, but we do discriminate against them and deny them certain rights. The hypocrisy of society really IRKS me. I’m starting a revolution to end hypocrisy!!!!! Sorry outburst over (keeping it in the blog). Many African nations are none to thrilled about the prospect of US interference. (Reminds me of some similar feelings shared by South American and Central American countries). One advisor to the Ugandan President reacted with this statement "If the Americans think they can tell us what to do, they can go to hell." Now although I’m very unhappy with the state of Gay rights in his country, I really enjoy his attitude and that he’s not afraid of the big bad bully on the block. I was about to say something along the lines of I think we should force them to give rights. However, then I realized who gets to decide what is right and what is wrong. Culture and community play an enormous role in what people think is right and wrong. Although. this doesn't mean that I don't think we an change it. I just don't think we should impose sanctions or threaten time outs or taking away candy. Just because we technically sort of are “the most powerful nation in the world” doesn't mean that we can just tell everyone else what to do. Forcing people never works. If instead we launched a campaign to teach the world about equal rights, I believe that would work. Teachers are some of the most powerful people in the world and if we could start changing the minds of younger generations we could have some serious social revolutions that would change the world for the better.
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