Rhino Ramblings

Before I head into the focus of this blog, I need to note how upsetting and scary it is to witness a massive denial of fundamental rights and their replacement with a single set of beliefs which impinge on all other beliefs.  I also want to note that this is a culmination of many wrong steps by moderates and liberals who skip voting or even vote against their core beliefs due to the hope that we can all work together or that the other side is not so bad or that their side did not deliver on one concept (are we really going to elect Trump or a Trumplike candidate in protest of President Biden not forgiving student debts?) Two things need to happen to right (or should I say correct) the ship: first of all vote; secondly – vote for the side that will protect the rights of all persons and not force everyone to live according to their belief system.  They are not going to compromise – they are not interested in hearing both sides – they are not compassionate – they are dogmatic, single-minded, and right now they have far too much power that we have ceded to them.

OK – now to the initial plan for this blog.  There are many instances of mis-interpretation or mis-emphasis of dedicated dates.  Is a sale really how we should memorialize the lives of those who died for this country or the life of a great American (i.e. Dr. King)?  In just one instance of the newest federal holiday of Juneteenth there has already been coopting of the day as some have tried to note how freedoms of all types should be celebrated; or where decisions as how to note or celebrate the day is being made by those of us who had only recently been aware of its importance.  I do not want to go any further on Juneteenth, because there are others more qualified in their understanding and deeply held feelings about Juneteenth.  I do feel slightly more qualified to discuss Pride Month.  As a prime example of mis-application of a dedicated date, I was told about how a company very pridefully showed their support by holding a drag queen festival.  Now I have nothing but respect for drag queens for many reasons – not the least of which is their lead in the Stonewall Hall Riots that helped ignite the Gay Rights movement.  But that was in 1969.  It is 2022 – 53 years later.  There are many ways to focus on other meaningful and impactful elements of Pride Month.  For example, I salute Goddard Space Flight Center for having Janis Ian, several years ago, give a concert and told stories about her difficult journey as a lesbian artist.  There are people struggling with their sexual or gender identity for whom Pride Month can provide real-life examples and support wherever they are in their life journey. And there are people, like Janis Ian but also within our day-to-day interactions, who have found success and should feel pride in that success. I  fear that using a drag queen festival as a Pride Month focus, can have two very negative results:  it feeds into the anti-gay movement by centering attention on one very visible segment that is then turned against the LGBTQ causes as a whole (just look at recent DeSantis remarks).  Also, focusing on one very visible aspect, can exclude those struggling to find their path in life that incorporates a more internal, private and personal process.  We can have a drag show for pride Month; but if we really want to pay tribute to the people and events for a dedicated date, we need to focus on understanding all the underlying reasons and traditions that matter to that date in the first place.  

One last note – I have received numerous words of support and encouragement about this blog and I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to read my ramblings.  I am always happy to hear from you and also happy to have you share the blog with others.