Sunday, February 12, 2012
Republican Maureen Walsh Sides With Marriage Equality
The 2008 presidential election ignited my passion to start a blog, and as a result 4 more blogs were birthed. Yes I'm opinionated and somewhat controversial, but always with the best intentions. Blogging is my way of forming conversation around relevant topics.
Who Should Define Marriage?
Should marriage be defined for the people and by the people; before we get into that, we must first learn the history of marriage.
The interesting thing about the history of marriage is that it has always evolved. The practices of marriage from centuries ago, still play out in the 21st century.
The interesting thing about the history of marriage is that it has always evolved. The practices of marriage from centuries ago, still play out in the 21st century.
For example: In ancient Greece it's written that inheritance is more important than actually having feelings for your partner. Females were forced to divorce their husbands and marry male relatives in order to keep the family name going if there were no more male heirs. This practice still happens today but it is now called, "inbreeding."
Have you ever heard of the hit show Wife Swap, where men trade their wives for several weeks and then report back on the outcome?
Wife swapping was a normal practice in ancient Rome; it was often done as a career move for men to strengthen family bonds. This practice still happens today but it is now called, "swinging."
Wife swapping was a normal practice in ancient Rome; it was often done as a career move for men to strengthen family bonds. This practice still happens today but it is now called, "swinging."
Are you familiar with the TV show Sister Wives, where one man co-exists and procreates with as many wives as he can handle?
This practice of marriage was very popular in 6th-century Europe -- among men for political and strategic purposes. Some men would even marry their sister-in-laws! This practice still happens today and it's called, "polygamy."
This practice of marriage was very popular in 6th-century Europe -- among men for political and strategic purposes. Some men would even marry their sister-in-laws! This practice still happens today and it's called, "polygamy."
If you're into politics I'm sure you've seen many a scandal when it comes to politicians and their cheating ways.
In 12th-century Europe, upper class marriages were often arranged -- as many cultures today still participate in arranged marriages. And wealthy men in those days believed love shouldn't be apart of a marriage, but that love could be found outside of the marriage with other people. This cheating practice still happens today and it's called, "adultery."
In 12th-century Europe, upper class marriages were often arranged -- as many cultures today still participate in arranged marriages. And wealthy men in those days believed love shouldn't be apart of a marriage, but that love could be found outside of the marriage with other people. This cheating practice still happens today and it's called, "adultery."
Today, gay and lesbian individuals are fighting for marriage equality. Thus far only 8 states have followed suit; it's a start but we have a long way to go.
With regards to politics, republicans have been the strongest opponents of marriage equality although many republican Mayors, Congressmen, and Governors have recently been outed as homosexual.
Which brings me to 14th-century Europe, when people were not allowed to pick their own mates but instead was forced to marry a mate that government chose for them. If a person went against the government's rule and married who they wanted to marry, the government made the couple pay a fee; gay and lesbian couples pay the fee of oppression, higher taxes, violence, and degradation with no relationship validity or acknowledgement.
With regards to politics, republicans have been the strongest opponents of marriage equality although many republican Mayors, Congressmen, and Governors have recently been outed as homosexual.
Which brings me to 14th-century Europe, when people were not allowed to pick their own mates but instead was forced to marry a mate that government chose for them. If a person went against the government's rule and married who they wanted to marry, the government made the couple pay a fee; gay and lesbian couples pay the fee of oppression, higher taxes, violence, and degradation with no relationship validity or acknowledgement.
During the Victorian era in the United States of America, marriage was again all about currency. Some men were well off but others sought out wealthy heiresses to marry, while still turning to family, friends, and other lovers for intimacy. In the 1690's Protestant ministers, would warn couples not to love each other to much; after all marriage was to be strictly business.
In 18th-century Europe, women began finding their voices and speaking out against loveless marriages while being forced into them. Also, in the 18th-century in the United States due to horrific racism and prejudice, Black people were not allowed to marry White people and vice versa. White men were adamant about race mixing but had no qualms about raping Black women and impregnating them -- therefore, mixing races.
The 1950's in the United States brought on mandatory marriages. Everyone had to get married and have a picture perfect nuclear family. If a person chose to not marry they were considered "sick", "immoral", or "neurotic." Today, these are the same degrading words used against gay and lesbians for wanting to get married.
In the United States in the 1970's, women became more self-sufficient and began changing social rules by cutting the umbilical cords that their husbands used to strangle them. As a result, the divorce rate catapulted to the highest it had ever been.
And in the 21st century marriage is the ultimate expression of love, and everyone wishes to have a wonderful wedding. And again, no one should be able to define that wonderful wedding except for the two people it's happening too.
In conclusion: the history of marriage seems to stress obedience, and always obedience to the men who controlled every aspect of their spouses life.
History seems to preclude love as if it were the most revolting thing, but history also shows that women and ordinary people had no say over their lives and were always controlled by a bigger entity.
What I find amazing about this information is that no matter how BIG the entity, in the end, women and ordinary people stood their ground and demanded change for the better; defining every moment in time by the people and for the people.
History seems to preclude love as if it were the most revolting thing, but history also shows that women and ordinary people had no say over their lives and were always controlled by a bigger entity.
What I find amazing about this information is that no matter how BIG the entity, in the end, women and ordinary people stood their ground and demanded change for the better; defining every moment in time by the people and for the people.
Let's keep the marriage equality momentum going shall we?!
2012 LA
The 2008 presidential election ignited my passion to start a blog, and as a result 4 more blogs were birthed. Yes I'm opinionated and somewhat controversial, but always with the best intentions. Blogging is my way of forming conversation around relevant topics.
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