Postcards From The 8

Dear Bumper Sticker Owner:

While walking through a parking lot today I happened to read the bumper stickers on your vehicle; one said something about your Christian beliefs and the other was an in opposition to Proposition 8. I was struck by the contradiction, if not ignorance, displayed on your bumper for the entire world to see. Not only does it show your disconnect with your own beliefs, but it is a direct contradiction to Christ’s teaching and this country’s, our, Bill of Rights.

After reading your bumper stickers I was angry and I wondered how much information did you have before jumping on this hate wagon? Most people don’t look beyond the crusade and instead get caught up in a cause with nothing more than a catch phrase, is that what happened to you? Did you fail to consider the other side of this issue or the consequences of your actions? Or did you just follow along without questioning or thinking for yourself? So long as a group of people are faceless it is easy to hate or deny them. I believe this is why Proposition 8 passed; and this saddens me for it was just this type of ignorance and blind hatred that led to my brother’s death.

Being a sensitive soul, my brother Doug chose to end his life rather than continue to live in a world that didn’t accept him as the person he was, but rather saw him as an object of hate, ridicule, and contempt. If Doug thought death was safer than living in this country, then I ask you, what does that say about us as a people?

The last conversation I had with my brother he was urging me to live true to myself; something he wasn’t allowed to do because of the attitudes and irrational fears like the ones you displayed on your bumper. Our country was built on the principles of liberty and justice for all, but you want to deny these same basic human rights to a segment of society because they were born differently than you. I have news for you—we are all different in one way or another.

The discrimination you show toward gays and lesbians on your bumper is no different than the prejudice experienced by African Americans, Japanese Americans, American Indians, Mexican Americans, Chinese Americans, Middle Eastern Americans, female Americans, disabled Americans, elderly Americans, homeless Americans, Muslims Americans, Catholics Americans, Jewish Americans, cat loving Americans, people who wear plaid Americans—do you get my point, no one is safe if we can arbitrarily hate someone based on an insignificant difference.

I should have hung around and waited for you to return to your vehicle so I could ask you why. Why are you making someone else’s life your business? Why do you think discriminating against a person’s sexual orientation is going to make them go away? Why do you care who gets married or has a civil union? Why do you feel the need to interfere and deny people their basic rights? Why is it you can’t you see what your actions are doing to others? Maybe if you can answer these questions, and take a really good look at yourself, you’d recognize your motivations have little or nothing to do with how others live their lives.

This great country of ours was created by people from all over the world, and that was made possible because of the tolerance and respect for what others contributed to the making of this country. If a person can’t find tolerance, respect and acceptance in their own country, where are they to find it? It is up to us, straight and otherwise, to ensure that all Americans share in the “dream” and live life to their fullest potential, rather than meddling in other peoples’ business. Acceptance quite possibly could prevent another loved one thinking death was a better alternative to living.

Before you slap another bumper sticker on your vehicle, please consider all sides of the message, cause or issue, and how it would impact a loved one of yours.

LC Russell