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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOnly in America\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, the GIF wasn\u2019t accurate regarding some of the groups identified as \u201cblack only.\u201d There are no Black only colleges or universities in America. There are historically Black colleges and universities. There is no Black Awareness Month. There is a Black History Month. There is no Black Holiday. We do officially observe Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King\u2019s birthday and Juneteenth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only in America\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now we circle back to the same tired ole thing. The recognition of minority groups is important to the promotion of equality. Minorities, due to their very nature, require certain legal protections due to disparities that continue to be oppressive\/unfair for them as a group. That is why we don\u2019t need a \u201cStraight White Man Recognition Day.\u201d We straight White men are already recognized as the dominating (emphasis on \u201cdominating\u201d) special interest group. That makes us even more responsible for working to eradicate legal and social disparities between us and people of color, women, LGBTQIA persons, those with disabilities, the poor, the disenfranchised, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only in America\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are allegedly a nation built on the ideal of equality that has historically not practiced equality. The belief that anyone can become anything they aspire to if they only work hard enough in the good ole U-S-of-A is a false belief. It\u2019s a great ideal, but reality is that the cards are stacked against minorities. As long as I (the privileged) deal\u2014and from the bottom of the deck\u2014I get to stay at the top of the stack. The onus is on the privileged to level the playing field. One way we do that is to shed light on the least of these and to give up disproportionate power in the interest of all people being created equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I asked Jesus about the verses in the Bible that say that homosexuality is sinful. He gazed into the night for a while then turned back to me. \u201cContext, Randy. Context. Look at the times\u2014the cultures. Look at the reasons things were written. If you followed every word of the Bible literally you could stone your stoned teenagers to death. You could sell your daughters. You could\u2026 Look. People don\u2019t have to agree on everything, but if you say you follow your Constitution you\u2019d best treat everyone equally. More importantly, if you say you follow the religion of love, you\u2019d best love\u2014without limits. Feed my sheep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s the view from The Balcony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
*(Eye no. Did it on porpoise. Makes cents to me.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n