Oh, the good old days. Have you ever heard someone say such a thing? Thinking about the “Good old days” often brings a shivering feeling to my spine, a feeling of taking three steps back instead of a pace or two forward. Regression on a social scale is hope toward historical better times. Better times for whom?
Say you lived anywhere 20-50 years ago, no matter the nation. Perhaps you are a woman. The many struggles for equality, freedom of speech, human rights and the control of your bodies would be flourishing actively. A gay person would be struggling to get out of that closet, gathering the courage to announce themselves to others. You would have been tied up in the struggles that surrounded you within your families, community, and possibly your church and workplace. One cannot be an island after all.
An island. An interesting concept don’t you think? It is not a new idea, is it? If you do not like something, isolate yourself from it. You can then feel safe and unchallenged in all things. Many religious communities and political organizations separate themselves from the greater community, trying to keep themselves isolated from the challenges of their society. Many Religious Muslims, Jews and Christians have historically isolated themselves from societies that seem to them to be deceptive, manipulative and perhaps even unsafe. This self-isolation can work only for so long, however, as no one is an island, everyone is a part of the global ocean. This realization does not stop people from making a stand against what they believe in.
Do employees have the right to not serve someone because of their religious beliefs? Within many retail spaces, religious people have refused to serve customers who have tried to purchase, say a condom or birth control pills. While moral judgements are not in the employee’s job description, their rights to refuse service are. What they are supposed to do is transfer the customer to another employee, but instead the outraged employee makes a stink about the sale of what is to them blaspheme. In Michigan is a wedding venue that serves only straight couples. Bakers, Florists and other vendors have all sparked outrage at their refusal to serve homosexual couples, arguing that doing so will violate their religious principles. The LGBTQ community tries to respond to these commercial refusals to serve community members through the power of consumer spending. Can these retailers discriminate against anyone? It’s their place of business, and do they not have the right to express their beliefs?
Some Public Libraries in Iowa have been closed after members of the community not only complained about books within the library having LGBTQ themes, but community protests and pressures upon the Mayors and Council Members made public safety an issue. Which books did they complain about? Well, Vice President Kamala Harris wrote a book, as did Jill Biden, a book called “Joey”. The complaints were about perceived liberal bias, and these protesters further attempted to expose any employee that was a member of the LGBTQ Community. So outright prejudice is shown because of the spectre of a liberal agenda and a feared invasion of public employees by the LGBTQ Community. While the number of religious books outnumbered those with LGBTQ themes. The library staff left over the ongoing community unrest, leaving the children’s rights to use the library’s services a second thought.
There is a cultural war brewing globally. In Russia, many of its citizens hope for a return to the good old days of The Soviet Union, an empire of strength and power. Right-wing political parties are flourishing, as members of the EU dream of better times promised by nationalistic organizations. Right-wing organizations in Israel work towards the expansion of Israeli territory. While American Democratic Party tries to limit Trump‘s return to national politics.
What will America expect in the near future? Who hopes for a return to the good old days?
1. A grassroots movement(A revival) of Religious Fundamentalists who see an abortionist or LGBTQ members under every bed.
2. Wall Street Investors who oppose all public regulations and dream of unfettered profits.
3. Political and Economic Opportunists hoping to become wealthy at the public’s trough.
4. Those who see chaos in the future & promise stability by returning to the past.
Years ago the Jewish Defense League, and militant gay activist organizations showed the right-wing how to get the job done and achieve their goals through activism, often violent protests, harassment of private individuals and those that challenge these organizations. We now see various State Governments regressing back to the days of the past, denying women, gays, blacks, migrants and those on the fringe of society the rights and services they fought for in the past.
Will we see a return of The Confederate Flag, cone head coverings, open-in-your-face bigotry and social-economic prejudice throughout our society? Will we have to endure four more years of Trumpites and their self-serving political agenda? These days it is difficult to be an optimist. In Canada, the National Conservative Party is having a leadership contest, and the leader of this race, Pierre Poilievre has shown himself to be a right-wing opportunist likened to Donald Trump.
Folks, please hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst to come. The fight for equality, freedom and justice never ends.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
