Gay Rights In America

There have been a large number of social movements throughout American history, many of which were not mentioned by Soloman. Some of the most obvious and popular ones to discuss are the Civil Rights Movement and the Woman's Suffrage Movement. However in recent years more complex and controversial issues have arisen and some groups are fighting twice as hard to have their voices heard and demands met. One social movement that has caught the most attention and publicity and attracted millions of supporters including celebrities and politicians, is the Gay Rights Movement. Similar to African-Americans during the Civil Rights era, or Latinos during the Salt of the Earth Strike, homosexuals have been discriminated against and have been subject to harassment, violent attacks, and unequal treatment in areas like employment, military work and various other rights. One aspect that has made this movement especially controversial and difficult to progress in has been the issue of Church and State. Even though this movement has gained a lot of momentum and support, passing legislation, creating protection and changing this countries treatment of homosexuals is an ongoing battle. One that has been going back and forth in arguments about the bible and the constitutionality of related laws.

Even though some people might view the Gay Rights Movement as far from successful gauging from the extreme amount of discrimination and lack of equality that is still present in our society, the movement has made profound progress thanks to it's specific tactics. Gay Rights still faces many hurdles and challenges, government wise and socially, however thanks to their gaining political influence and increased peaceful demonstrations, huge accomplishments have been made. We have come a long way from the days of homosexuality being listed as a mental disorder in the DSM, mostly in part by the dedication and never-ending fight of supporters. Since 1969 there have been demonstrations, protests, and riots in every state throughout the United States of America. Thousands of people have trucked to state capitals and Washington D.C. to lobby for new legislation that will protect and honor the rights of Gays/Lesbians/Transgenders which are clearly stated in the U.S. Constitution. Many more have signed petitions, taken part in marches, and stood up tall against violent attacks. More recently some of the most profound outcomes of this struggle have begun to show themselves, and for many people, making this fight finally all worth it. In the last 11 years seven states have passed laws recognizing and allowing gay/lesbian civil unions and marriages. Seven out of 50 states may not seem like a lot but progress is being made. One of the biggest reforms in the United States relating to gay/lesbian rights was the repeal of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” law which banned U.S. citizens from being openly homosexual in the military. This was a landmark decision in the history of the United States, and for the first time put homosexual rights on the forefront of American politics, challenging every “acceptable” norm this country has ever held.

Because the most monumental moments of this movement have just recently happened over the last decade and a half, I have been alive to witness and experience it. Most movements that I have learned about throughout my life are ones from many years past, and while they influence the life I live now, it is hard to appreciate the value of them so many years later. I believe out of all of the movements that have progressed and grown in the beginning of the 21st century, I have been most aware of this one because of how prominent it has been in the media and in our generation. As the years have gone by, more and more people have become open and accepting of different lifestyles and beliefs. Our generation has grown up in a time where it is fairly normal for people to be openly gay, and many of us have a problem understanding why they are not guaranteed the same rights and privileges as everyone else. I am personally passionate about the Gay Rights Movement, and am a strong advocate of everyone achieving true equality. For this reason I am incredibly grateful to have been around to witness the peak of this ongoing struggle. Just like we talk about the important impact that movements of the past have had on our country now, I believe decades in the future people will look back and appreciate what this movement has done for the lives of many Americans.

Salt of the Earth Strike

The Salt of the Earth Strike was a pivotal time in history for Hispanic men and women fighting for better working conditions. Along with these requests, these workers were asking for basic fundamental rights and for an end to the extreme racism, segregation, and sexism they had long endured working in the mines. They were being paid half of what the white men were paid, seen as inferiors, and were not guaranteed any of the same benefits such as 40 hour work weeks or safe work environments that their white counterparts were receiving. After the mine company refused to budge on any of the striker's demands, they soon voted to strike. After 7 months of striking, a court order was announced that any further striking would not be permitted, and would lead to being arrested.
Like any other social movement, the success of their strikes and demands depended on the repertoires and tactics of disruption used throughout their fight. The characteristic of this specific movement that makes it so unique was the tactic of using women at the front of the picketing lines. When the court handed down its decision, it had outlawed any striking by members of the union. Since at that time women were not able to be members of the union, this meant that the court order did not apply to them and they were “free” to do any picketing that they wanted. Soon after the women took the front lines, police arrived with hostility and violence, but still the women prevailed and returned to the pickets. For the first time in history, not only was there this group of people fighting for racial equality in the workplace, but it was too, a fight of sexual equality. To defend themselves from the violence they would throw chili powder in the eyes of strikebreakers and used items such as eggs, rocks, and needles. They continued to disrupt the companies production means by blocking the entrance of scabs, and was thus causing the company to lose out on tens of thousands of dollars a week. All of this negative and violent publicity was giving the mine company and the state of New Mexico a very bad reputation, which kept the women coming back, knowing the state would have to intervene sooner or later. Their persistence and patience paid off when the state did indeed get involved and the company decided it was an economically better decision to give in to the demands than to continue losing large sums of money. Without the use of the women on the front lines, or their tactics of chili powder throwing and remaining on the front lines no matter what, the movement would not have been possible.
Throughout their entire struggle, the women were not only in an everlasting battle against the powerful for racial equality, but they were fighting issues on sexism in their own backyards. The same fathers and husbands that these women were putting their lives on the line for everyday, just to help them achieve the goals of the union, were the same men that were mad they were out there. The men were in no way supportive or thankful of their wives and daughters for what they were doing, and were angered that they were now the ones at home taking care of the house and children duties. This issue changed the face of the strike and one of the biggest reasons the Salt of the Earth Strike ended so successfully was because it was not just a win for the union or just for the Chicanos, it was a win for women all over the country and a step towards future woman’s suffrage. Without battles such as these, modern day America would be drastically different than the way we know it to be now. These conflicts later led to enormous changes when it came to unionizing, employment, woman's rights, child employment protection laws, working conditions, and the standardization of 40 hour work weeks. Without these uprisings of people who were not happy with their positions in society, without people stepping up to say “the way we are being treated is not okay, and we won't take it anymore”, America would be the very same it was 60-70 years ago.
After reading Salomon it amazes me that I had never heard of the Salt of the Earth Strike or any of the other mentioned movements for that matter. It gets me thinking as to why these stories of rich American history are not more out in the open. When you ask someone about a movement in American history, the majority of people will answer with the Civil Rights movement with Martin Luther King Jr. because that is the only one they know. Growing up through middle and high school social studies classes, that is the only movement we are taught anything about or made to think is important. I know here in America there is a habit of trying not to talk about the horrible things our government did over the last couple hundred years, and the good things are over-publicized while the shameful ones are hidden away. However, that still doesn't explain or make sense to me as to why they teach us so much about the Civil Rights era and how crucial it was to our nation, but then avoid the topics of the Native Americans, Filipinos, Mexicans and other nationality movements. It is books like these that keep the history and struggle alive, and without them these stories would be lost to time, unable to be looked back upon to help new generations learn from the past.

"The New Face of Homelessness"

The article “The New Face of Homelessness” was quite intriguing in that it showed a very different view of what homelessness looks like in today's society, one that most do not want to believe exists. The stereotypical homeless person or “bum” is a dirty looking, lazy, drug attic who sits on the side of the road with a sign asking for money everyday. Most Americans don't see homelessness or poverty as something that hits or effects a suburban, middle-class family with parents and their children. However that is exactly what this article is bringing to attention, to show how these assumptions and stereotypes keep this injustice going in a vicious cycle.
All of the people and families mentioned in this article were hard working citizens trying to accomplish simple “American” goals, a house and yard for their children and the ability to send these kids to school where they can be successful in attaining an education. These are not lazy people who want to take advantage of the system, they are struggling moms and dads who just need some support and help from those with more power and resources. Most people who become homeless are inevitably stuck there for long periods of time with no way out of what seems like a never ending battle. These people do not make the decision to become homeless and often end up in this predicament by losing their job. However with the prejudices and assumptions made about today's homeless, it is hard to imagine an end to this injustice. When the rest of society sees the homeless as undeserving, lazy people, it becomes harder and harder for them to find relief or programs that are willing to provide help in leading them out of these dire situations. Changing these perceptions and creating organizations that really strive to give these families what they're in extreme need of, places to live, clothes to put on their children and an alternate source of income, is what will most benefit the issue of homelessness. Beth Davalos's “Families in Transition” is a perfect example of the effects these programs can have on less fortunate families. Through her program Beth helps kids stay in the same school for as long as possible, and additional connections are sometimes made when outside donors find out about certain families and can personally help them out. Hopefully creating programs as these can also change the stigma attached to these helpless people.