Media Obsession and My “Constance Craving”
Every few days, I find that I get sucked into breaking news stories. I totally immerse myself by following and posting comments – all day long – probably as a diversion from my miserable job. Typically, these stories have no real bearing on my life – but I enjoy getting glimpses into the social make-up of people, and I also think I get some warped sense of pleasure by having my feathers ruffled by people with divergent points of view.
Constance McMillen
Yesterday, it happened again. I lost my entire day to Huffington Post. A teenager in Mississippi, named Constance McMillen, is embroiled in a fight with her high school over the school’s request she not attend the prom with her girlfriend. While the school didn’t explicitly tell her that she was barred from going because she’s a lesbian (they instead referenced some nonsense about how students historically attended the prom stag to save money), she contacted the ACLU sensing that her civil rights were being violated. The ACLU sent the school a letter. Then, strangely, a week later the school board canceled the prom citing “distraction” and “safety” concerns. Now a lawsuit has been filed by the ACLU in an attempt to get the school board to reinstate the prom.
While I’m not gay, I wholeheartedly support gay rights. In fact, I wish more straights would speak out and express their support for the gay community – especially when it counts at the polls.
The issue in Mississippi is terribly sad, and not likely isolated. Intolerance and ignorance are found all over, but I’ve always found it interesting that those who most frequently exhibit intolerance are those from rural areas that are low on education and big on Jesus.
Speaking of tolerance, I’m not about to bash the bible. I know what it says about homosexuality (along with many other things to which I don’t personally subscribe). I can accept that certain sects of religion frown upon homosexuality, and they are constitutionally free to do so. It’s why I find another story out of Colorado, about a preschooler who was kicked out of a catholic school because his parents are lesbians, deplorable but acceptable. I mean, why parents would choose to send their child to a school that indoctrinate children to a religion that vehemently opposes their way of life is beyond me anyway. There must be other schools, private or public that will give this kid a comparable education, and there are certainly more inclusive religious institutions that uphold other, less hateful, tenants of Catholicism.
Anyway – back to Mississippi…
I think Constance McMillen is really brave for taking on this fight. It’s not something she went looking for – she was being herself and following the rules by seeking permission to bring a date to the prom. It’s positively shameful that this school would dash the hopes of all the junior and senior students who were looking forward to attending the event and make this poor girl a scapegoat for their extremely misguided, irresponsible and hurtful decision. It’s also a bit ironic that they would cite distraction and safety concerns for reasons to cancel the prom when they are now under the glare of the media spotlight AND have also placed a target on the back of a student – who will most certainly experience a backlash from small-minded classmates that will blame her for “ruining it for everyone.” I would hope these simpletons wouldn’t resort to violence – but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suspect they might.
On the Huffington Post boards, a couple of people have suggested that she should get out of town as soon as she graduates, to escape the bigotry of the yokels. Maybe she’s already counting down the days. But I can’t help wondering if she’s given any thought to staying in Mississippi. While I’m sure she’d have been just as content to go about daily life without the media firestorm directed her way, she has proven that she’s not afraid to fight for her rights, and now she’s got a very public face and voice to advocate for others in her position. Obviously, she would need to decide what’s best for her, her future, her spirit and of course her safety. But if she wanted, she could be another force for change in a community that clearly has a lot to learn about tolerance. I’m sure she isn’t the only gay person in this small town – and there are probably a few kids there that could really use an ally. She could fight to see that this sort of disgrace doesn’t happen in Mississippi again.
I can’t claim to know what gays go through. I’d never suggest that the fight would be easy, and hell – outside of going to the prom – she might not even care. But right now, with the assistance of all the people that have come forward to voice their support, she’s probably better suited to help turn the hearts and minds of Mississippians than anyone else.
I do believe the people who use their religious conviction as an excuse for hatred and bias can still learn tolerance, if not acceptance. And speaking of conviction, I think Constance can teach us all a thing or two about that.
I look forward to following her story and will continue to cheer her on…as I also continue to avoid all the things I should be doing – like work.
