B. Yung--Spoken Word

Prejudice that kills.

I discovered GLAAD today while watching the awards show.

There was a segment on Sean Kennedy who was killed by a drunk individual (a bigot, some may say), named Stephen Moller.

Considering that I live in South Carolina, I have had experience with people who do not posses the most open of minds. Although I am not from Greenville, Sean Kennedy's death seems to be a representation of a state that I often wish to disown and leave. The loss of his life is proof and reasoning as to why I hope not spend the rest of my life in South Carolina. Bigotry is unfortunately everywhere, but South Carolina is a unique creature.

From what I read, both Kennedy and Moller were out the night of Kennedy's death. Moller punched Kennedy so hard that he broke facial bones, when his head hit the pavement he consequently suffered from severe/fatal brain damage. Moller plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter. His possible life sentence in prison was reduced to three years in prison and three years probation after his release. I read on the webpage Elke Kennedy (Sean's mother) has created that he will most likely be up for parole within 10 months. The sentence was reduced because the jury (who possibly lacks brain cells and maybe moral fiber) saw no "malicious intent" in his actions.

If South Carolina had a hate crime legislation on the books Moller would have received a harsher sentenced. There are five states that do not have hate crime legislation: South Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Check out the links below.

Stephen Moller gets three years in Sean Kennedy's death at club

Human Rights Watch: U.S. LAW AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

National News: GLAAD Helps Pitch Story of Sentencing of Man who killed Sean Kennedy

GLAAD: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation

18 holes and relentless sexism

I attempt to read an article off of nytimes.com once a day. I'll browse the page, and what catches my eye, is what I'll read first. Today it was "Women Battle for Rights at Phoenix Country Club." I was interested because, I will admit, I have a slight tendency to make presumptions about the "type" of people that are members of country clubs. My presumptions usually lead to prejudices. Not something I am proud of, but its the truth.

Basically, what I am saying is, I'm not remotely surprised that the women in a country club don't have equal rights to men within the country club.

At the country club there are two grill rooms. The one for the men is opened all the time with a bar. The grill room for women isn't opened all the time, therefore women cannot eat when they please, and there is no bar. Men who have sense, and decided to bring their wives into the the men's grill room have been harassed, and their property defaced.

"As teenage boys saunter into the sumptuously appointed men’s grill room, their mothers are relegated to the ladies’ grill, down the hall with a hot plate, some card tables and no bar. The club also has a formal dining room, where men and women are welcome, but it is closed between meals and is not a spot to get a drink."

Due to pressure the country club is making renovations to the dining room (where the women are able to eat with the men...did I mention THIS IS RIDICULOUS) and the two grill rooms. The grill rooms will remain separate, but will have the same accommodations. *cough* This sounds a little something like "separate but equal," and we all know IT DOES NOT WORK.

This has to be one of the most archaic institutions that I thought did not exist anymore. I mean we all know they are out there, but to think people are so avid about keeping men and women separate, while men obviously have the upper hand.

"Charges of sexism against private golf clubs are not uncommon; the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, where the Masters is held each year, does not permit women to be members."

McCain has ties to the county club. *insert unsurprised face* Although he is not a member, his son Andrew McCain is one.

You can read the article by using the below link.
Cozy Spot to Eat After Golf, but Women Are Barred

Boy loves boy and girl loves girl

As many of us know, California joined in on allowing same-sex marriage. I find that most people are either strongly anti- or pro- gay marriage. (note pic below) I find it unnecessarily prejudice and an example of my former comment.

Anyway, an article in the New York Times covered gender in marriage, which is not a new issue, but consistently a problem.

"Notably, same-sex relationships, whether between men or women, were far more egalitarian than heterosexual ones. In heterosexual couples, women did far more of the housework; men were more likely to have the financial responsibility; and men were more likely to initiate sex, while women were more likely to refuse it or to start a conversation about problems in the relationship. With same-sex couples, of course, none of these dichotomies were possible, and the partners tended to share the burdens far more equally."

There is much more to the article. My point is that everyone could learn from homosexual couples, I find it that many people tend to focus on the fact that they are homosexual instead of the positives and the qualities within their relationship. Like...love.