This op-ed column by Frank Rich was taken from the New York times.
The title of this article is what caught my attention. It's interesting to see major newspapers using a phrase like "Second Class Americans" in such a public way. As an Ethnic Studies major, the only time I see "second class" anything being used is typically at a rally or a workshop. It was only until after the Prop 8. passing that the American public picked up on the "second class" vernacular.
Frank Rich's article is a poignant look at the current citizenship status American gays face today. In a post-Civil Rights era, gay issues have made little distance towards full equality. Rich's article cites both the DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) and the stagnant nature of past (and even current) Presidents as two inciting factors of an anti-gay America.
According to Rich, the time for any gay civil rights action is now. Comparing the past to the present, gay issues have jumped from being "a third rail" to a first rail in American politics. Even moreso, the article states that over 75 percent of Americans support the end for the "Don't Ask..." military policy.
One possible solution to all of this? Rich looks towards Obama to deliver on his on campaign promises. As a brilliant orator and supposedly progressive individual, Obama does possess the means to bring light to American gay rights. What's stopping our Commander in Chief? The article speculates that Obama wishes to take a slow approach to institutionalizing gay rights. Another possible reason is that Obama faces the ever-so resilient conservative community.
I appreciate that Frank Rich's article does call out America for what it is: a nation that refuses to visualize and recognize queer identifying folks in a transparent manner. With pieces of legislation like DOMA and Prop. 8 still in effect, queer folks are still at odds with the government. However, I must admit that Rich's usage of "second class Americans" is not the best application.
In using "second class Americans", we must really transcend just the issue of rights. When we use "second class" anything, the discussion actually revolves around the ramification of having no rights whatsoever. As a queer American, I do recognize that some of my rights are squandered by the government. But, what are the after effects of having no rights at all?
What about suicide rates in the queer population (especially for queers of color)? What of drug usage, STI treatment methods, and homelessness? What of identity development and healthy expression of sexuality?
All of these questions focus on one idea: displacement factors. When a population is labeled as second class, that population undergoes immediate displacement. Whether it's internal or external, "second class citizens" are always lost within the national system. Since our government cannot account for us, who will? We saw a similar phenomenon of displacement with the WWII Filipino veteranos. Without their government mandated stipend, many veteranos became homeless and passed on without any record within the American bureaucratic system.
In future usage of "second class citizens", I believe that our communities shouldn't always get so hung up on collecting their civil rights milestones. Why do we fight for marriage equality? Is it because we tokenize gay marriage as a merit badge of American assimilation? Once we possess marriage equality, will we feel more accepted? Will we be normalized just like "the rest"?
Or, do we fight for equality because we've seen how gruesome the aftermath can be? As activists and proponents for civil change, do we rally together because we've all known the pain of abuse and neglect? Collectively, has the queer community been exposed to the ugly truth of being queer?
These are all questions that must be considered before even taking action. In response to Frank Rich, yes: the American queer population is at a disadvantage. We are constantly fighting against an establishment that refuses to recognize us.
But, why are we second class citizens?
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I totally agree, my arguement with the "efforts towards equality" hit at the same point yours do "Once we possess marriage equality, will we feel more accepted? Will we be normalized just like "the rest"?"
i mean i feel like queer folks goal in wanting equality is a disallusion that people will be more accepting because of the fact that a law was removed. And furthermore people dont think that when/if it does happen the hate will be even more present before it subsides or "normalcy" is gained if ever.
In the african-american civil rights fight it played out the same way. Though it is a different context of a fight its still a fight for equality. And i think that maybe we should take a second and exam what it will really mean to be equal, personally and communitally.Or if we will indeed be sub-class americans forever. Because the written right doesn't necessarily mean acceptance, Its definitely a double edged sword at times it seems.