Queers: Americas New Nigger


On May 17 of 1954 the US Supreme Court ruled that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. Many consider this event to be the beginning of what is now known as the Civil Rights Movement. America went through an extended period of social upheaval as African Americans struggled to gain the same rights and privileges as the rest of America. In spite of a cult of victimhood perpetuated by Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakahn, Al Sharpton, and other so called civil rights leaders, black America today has essentially all the same opportunities as white America.

The protests of the 60's played out on television sets all over the country. The drama of the protests and the struggle of black America made for very compelling news stories. The whole country watched black protestors facing fire hoses, attack dogs, and tear gas. Today the major news media still loves any story that has an element of racism. The flagrant examples of racism today, however, are rare. If a politician today so much as makes a comment that could be interpreted as racist, their career is as good as dead. No longer do any business refuse to serve people based on their race. In fact the slightest hint of practicing racism can virtually destroy the reputation of even the largest corporations. There are no opportunities today that black America does not enjoy equally with white America.

The injustices that gave birth to the civil rights movement may have been resolved for the most part, yet in the struggle America fell in love with the movement itself. It is very moving to watch a large group of protestors fighting for some united cause, no matter what it is. Every battle won by black civil rights activists meant one less gripping story available for the evening news. At some point the civil rights movement took on a life of its own, and began seeking out new groups of oppressed people to defend in order to sustain it self. An oppressed class is uncommon these days however, because America has become a remarkably tolerant nation, where oppression of any group of peoples is now looked on with disdain.