As the world watches the incredible events in the Ukraine, Arizona quietly retreats social justice
into the Dark Ages. By passing a
bill that allows establishments to refuse to serve individuals who place a
"substantial burden on their sincerely held religious beliefs" the
state has opened a Pandora’s box of discrimination, hatred and bigotry.
The national discussion of the law has focused on LGBT
rights and the bills intent to focus on what the right wing terms a “religious
freedom” issue. Be there no mistake, this bill opens the
door to discrimination against those wearing a Sikh headdress, a Star of David or a Pentagram. Such legislation should sound the alarm
for Progressives everywhere that our rights are precariously perched on a precipice
soon to be violently shoved down the slippery slope of intolerance under the bogus
cover of a religious liberty claim.
Progressives, be alarmed, very alarmed, those seeking to frame Freedom
as the source of their hatred and intolerance are a threat to all who embrace
true religious, social and economic freedom. Once again, those promoting hate have wrapped themselves in
the flag of our nation expecting immunity from a populous deceived by their use
of the vernacular of Freedom.
Those who would frame this as “just a LGBT issue” miss the
point; unless you are a blue eyed, blond haired, straight, old male Christian this kind of
legislation is a profound threat to your freedom, to social justice and to the
very foundations of our constitutional form of government.
Today, Arizona’s diverse population is backed against the
wall. The choices are clear, go
quietly into the night, deceived by those who would pervert our founding
principles or resist with the understanding that this is the moment when we as
a nation have the opportunity to defend the foundational freedoms that protect
us all.
4 comments:
This upsets me on so many levels. How can an entire State (or two) see that such a discriminatory law opens the flood gates for so much hate.
We must get this before the Supreme Court immediately and surely it will be overturned as Unconstitutional. We may not yet be able to guarantee by the law the constitutional rights of every citizen, but the United Stated of America will not allow any state to legislate discrimination, not even under the guise of religious freedom. It will not stand; it must not stand, and I have faith that the American people will not tolerate it!
This is just as bad as the "religious freedom" bill that passed just recently here in Kansas, though ours wasn't aimed at other religions, instead putting homosexuals and bisexuals in the cross-hairs. Pretty much have made it legal for any business or even a single employee of a non-participating business to refuse service due to sexual orientation without fear of repercussion. Ridiculous.
I just heard about this the other day. Absolutely horrifying. We should be moving in the opposite direction!
Post a Comment
Please use your name in posting comments. Postings by "Anonymous" will be deleted.