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I read with bemused interest, a recent newspaper article about a town in upstate california, (lower case on purpose), Belmont to be exact, that has passed a law denying a person’s right to smoke in their own apartment. The article mentioned a woman name Edith Frederickson who was “outraged” and “galled” that this was happening “in America.” Imagine that! Having your RIGHT legislated away. Ms. Frederickson, welcome to the world of being a “them!”
On November 4, 2008, I was told that I was a “them” when 52% of californians decided that they didn’t want me, as a Lesbian, to be able to get married. Being an African American, being a woman, being overweight, I was well aware of my “them” status. But this was different. Because I also found out that the woman that I love more than myself, my mother, considered me a “them” too.
There have always been “thems” in the world. And it is fluid. You can go from being an “us” to being a “them” by losing your job. Or losing all of your money. Or losing or gaining weight. Or living in a better neighborhood. Being a “them” can define who you are or motivate you to do anything, ANYTHING, to become an “us.” And people who would have bet their lives that they were “uses” are usually undone when they find out otherwise.
I don’t smoke and would rather not be around smokers, so this issue doesn’t really affect me. But I wonder what Ms. Frederickson thought about Prop 8? I wonder if and how she voted on it? And I am not saying for a fact that she did vote yes on Prop 8. But no one should be surprised that rights and freedoms are being legislated away by a majority at the expense of the minority. Because when sides are taken against someone’s right to be happy, you shouldn’t be surprised when someone takes a side against you!
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