I got an email today from a friend who lives in an eastern state. She had read Frank Riches' op-ed piece, The Bigots' Last Hurrah and asked what the ERA Movement could learn from the Marriage Equality burgeoning success. Here is my answer ~
I am spending most of my activist time these days on marriage equality – as it has reached the tipping point and cannot be stopped – the lever has been sprung in all of the Western world. Backlash is ugly but they are desperate.
You may find it interesting that on April 4 I gave an ERA presentation at an Equality organization to celebrate ( a bit late) women’s history month. I expanded my talk to include the movie, Milk and its drastic exclusion of Milk’s work with women which, in fact, was extensive. Several men walked out – they were perturbed that the monthly meeting was being wasted on a “women’s issue.” Of course they were the minority but LGBTQQAI are on the march, on the run, seeing their life-long issue reaching the fulcrum. I don’t think they were anti-me or anything but, rather, anti-letting the traction slip. (No, I am not naïve on this – I know men rarely take on issues perceived and labeled as women’s issues.)
I am 60 years old and with a MA in religion, went to professional computer school in 1985. I mention that to illustrate that I have a foot in each of the waves. My white hair gives away that I worked in the Second Wave (1963-1875) and my knowledge of electronic social networking, viral marketing and the E-Highway lets me travel freely in the Third Wave.
Yes, the gay movement has busted through the backlash majority. I caution you to know that many high school kids are still being harassed and commit suicide. But all the Mormons cannot get the anti-gay movement back on track. Four states, many countries, and, what cannot be denied, the next generation thinks the whole issue is ridiculous. Teenagers tell their parents that once they die – it will all be moot.
So look closely at that perfect collection of facts and see exactly what the ERA movement does not have.
1) National attention.
2) The pro-states coalescing and casting a shadow on their lagging neighbors.
3) The new generation thinks it is simple justice.
4) Total use of the E-Highway (texting, facebook, youtube, twitter, ning, etc.) as utilized by Obama’s campaign.
5) Undeniable visibility.
I am happy for the African American community and the great advances that an African American President means. I am happy for the Queer community as they deserve full Marriage Equality. These two real successes show us that the majority can come together, become involved and advance social justice. They did not do it legislator by legislator. They did it by making the cause attractive, available and obvious to the common, simple hard-working American.
The benefits of the ERA are obvious but not part of the national conversation. I do not understand why 35 states and the clear majority of Americans should not be rallied but, rather, leave it to the 15 non-ratified states to be lobbied, yet again. To me, it would be like the Queer movement trying to get Utah on board – what an ineffective and exhausting effort.
I hear that the ERA is not sexy, it not exciting. That is so not true. NOT TRUE. Just tell college women that they have to pay off their loans, credit debt and mortgages while making 78 cents on the dollar. Tell them that insurance pays for viagra and not for the pill. Just tell them that they are still considered 3/4s of a citizen. Actually all you have to do is tell them it did not pass.
Comments