Kids Speaking Up: Changing the Culture

Despite racial and gender advances, equality for all is not a universal concept.

By Isabelle D'Arcy, Kids Speaking Up | Published on 10.15.2008 1:35 a.m.

(15)

In the heat of the Nov. 4 election, there are myriad issues that could be considered more pressing than gay marriage: the economy, health care, education, war, our infrastructure. But Proposition 8 has become a major issue that has raised fervent comments from people on both sides. Thus I desire to make my own voice heard, as it cannot be heard at the ballot.

Isabelle D’Arcy

I, too, am of the opinion that children (like myself) should be protected. But unlike the argument in favor of Proposition 8, I assert that we should be protected from the notion that inequality is, under the law, just. If parents truly want to protect their children, I say protect them from discrimination, from learning that it’s us and them, from believing that it is OK for a group of people to be subjected to living without the same rights because it’s “not natural” or “it’s a choice” (as if being gay is transmitted through osmosis).

The Bible says that marriage is between a man and a woman, and for many this is sufficient reason to vote for Proposition 8, which seeks to ban gay marriage in California. However, I would argue that the Bible also says “Wives submit to your husbands, as is fitting to the Lord.” Who decides what portions of the Bible to accept as valid, and which to disregard as outdated? While obviously there is much to be learned and admired in the Bible, to base opposition to equality on a text proven to be off on several occasions is both hasty and superficial.

At least we can all agree that our nation prides itself on freedom. We have long been a place where others seek refuge from discrimination. And in this American spirit, we should grant the same equality to those who are gay, as we do to those who are not. Despite your personal feelings regarding homosexuality, our tradition of liberty for all, and of the separation of church and state must be preserved, in this case by the defeat of Proposition 8.

I am too young to vote. I am a child of a new generation and I see the world through different eyes. As a child, it upsets me to hear my classmates call someone a “fag” or say “that’s gay” in a derogatory way. It upsets me because despite the gains we have made in racial equality and to some extent in gender equality, our society has not yet reached a place where teaching our children equality for all is a “no duh.”

Andy Warhol once commented: “They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” Just as women lobbied for the vote and civil rights supporters marched in protest, we, too, must take this opportunity to stand for equality, so that the next generation will be free from the disrespect and disdain today that is shown to those who are gay. We need to change the culture. And a start is by voting “no” on Proposition 8. No to inequality … and yes to truly protecting our children’s futures.

Dos Pueblos High senior Isabelle D’Arcy is co-founder of Kids Speaking Up, a local group working to educate youth on social, national and political issues and inspire them to write.

Comments

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» Gen on 10.16.08 @ 12:28 PM

Thank you! As a 23 year old member of the queer community, I have been hurt by the arguments for ‘yes’ on 8. Your article give me hope for the future.

Thank you for your article and for your interest in social and political issues!

» jesssica on 10.16.08 @ 12:31 PM

I would like to commend this young woman for her insight and her progressive thinking. She is wise beyond her years!

» Loving Mother on 10.16.08 @ 01:44 PM

Wow, all children should be this insightful and intelligent. Amazing how through the eyes of a child we see so much. I commend your parents, as I hope that open-mindedness and compassion are things you learned from them. I worked diligently to teach my son to be open-minded and not be prejudice in any way and I can imagine your words coming out of his mouth and saying the same things. I hope you are a good representative of the future of our society.

» SIE on 10.16.08 @ 02:36 PM

Perfectly stated. With compassion, courage, and respect for ever people who find themselves in love an embarking on the journey to become more interdependent and deserve their rights and community support. Love is a gift. Period. The men and women who find them quite uncomfortable and judgmental expressing the greatest blessing of all, love for one another,have the respect and support.of my family. Open your minds. Open your hearts. hate is not a spiritual value. But perhaps my daughter mentioned that. There is room in our hearts to love all. Love or fear. Perhaps that is the choice. What could it hurt to try on a new paradigm and perhaps discover the decency, civility, humnity, and decency, in loving one another with all our differences.

Beutifully written. Thank you. If they like your work, check out other pieces of yours an other unapathetic students at kidsspeakingup.org.

» meredith Morin on 10.16.08 @ 02:59 PM

Wow, you are certainly an incredible writer! Great article and wonderful insight. It is a breath of fresh air to hear such comments from our youth. I only hope that when my son is your age, the validity of his mom’s marriage will not be questioned or ridiculed. Congratulations on speaking your mind and hopefully you have reached those out there who are uncertain which way they may vote.

» goleta guy on 10.16.08 @ 03:27 PM

very impressive…DP is still turning out great students i see!

» Sheri on 10.16.08 @ 04:06 PM

Hurray for you, Isabelle!
I would love to meet your parents, for obviously raising a genuinely compassionate, kind and thoughtful burgeoning young woman.
I thank you as well, for a well-penned and refreshing manner of expressing your viewpoint.
Thank you again,
Namaste’
Sheri

» Christy Quigg on 10.16.08 @ 05:13 PM

You are obviously a very bright young women, I was moved by your writing. Thank you for supporting equality for all, not just the chosen few.

» Conner on 10.16.08 @ 10:38 PM

Great Job, Izzy!

I much prefer the comments on this article than that other that shall not be mentioned. Though I’ve already read it, it’s nice to see it again, and all the people who support your views. I have to say, I was in a horrible mood yesterday, because of how many of those yellow signs I saw with Yes on them, I wanted to scream, but I kept it in. This totally renews my hope that we can keep our rights, and not take them away.

» Claire on 10.16.08 @ 11:30 PM

WOW, this is a great article from a girl with great insight! I am very impressed and I am pleased to see that people - in your early age - stand up for such an important thing like this one.
You can be VERY proud of yourself because you are part of a group that wants to make this world a better and more respectful one!

CHAPEAU!

» Frederick on 10.17.08 @ 01:09 AM

This commentary is once again misguided and off base. Why does the Noozhawk seem to want to print and promote the gay liberal agenda upon it’s readers.

Is there a queer bias at the helm?

Frederick

[Editor’s note: If you have something to say, here’s how you do it: ]http://www.noozhawk.com/submit_your_news/]

» Joanie on 10.17.08 @ 01:17 AM

Noozhawk,

It is truly amazing that someone like a DP senior in this day and age can be so ignorant of the basic facts of life and society. This issue is not about equality, sexuality, beastiality, or any other sexual fetish some may prefer to call “commitment” to another being and then desire to legally reclassify as “marriage”. It is about what is right and what is wrong, and if that has to be explained on this subject then God help us.

Check out the video online of “It’s Not Gay” if you want a true unedited story of a girls life who was raised by gay parents. The gays rage that the truth be told, but this girl shares the facts from first hand experience.

» Ross M. on 10.17.08 @ 12:20 PM

Isabelle,
This is a well-written article, and for that I applaud you. I do not agree with some of your basic points, or how you have represented some things, but I commend you for taking the time to pen your opinion in an eloquent way. As an opinion piece, I certainly doubt you expected to hear 100% agreement with your views. Keep “voting” through your family members and friends who are of voting age. And by all means, keep challenging people your own age to dig deep into their own opinions on matters. It will be a good basis to determine the proper course of future direction.

» Lauren on 10.18.08 @ 12:16 PM

Isabelle,
A couple of free thinking lesbians living in your area thank you for getting the word out about this form of equality. As you continue growing and learning, other forms of equality will present themselves. Your generation will become the future leadership, and it’s my hope that matters of equality will one day be evaluated in a secular manner. As a Generation X, I am scratching my head to figure out why the separation of church and state is a concept lost on so many Americans.
Lauren & Jennifer

» K on 10.20.08 @ 07:03 PM

You go Isabelle! That is one of the most elequent pieces of writing that I have had the priveledge to read in a long time. Stand up for what you believe in, as “we are the change that we are waiting for.” -Barack Obama This generation will shape the society of the present, and future generations to come.

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