CALLING ALL HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AND ACTIVISTS, of whatever association, be it religion, sexual orientation, gender, or cultural - it's time to stand together for our joint human rights! The SA government is debating the removal of sexual orientation protection against discrimination clauses from the SA Constitution - if they succeed in this, who will be next?
The thoughts and experiences of an author and human rights activist
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
SA Govt Discusses Removal Of Sexual Orientation From Constitution
An article in the Beeld newspaper yesterday explains that there is a move in government encouraging the removal of sexual orientation protection clauses from the SA Constitution.
Not to say "I told you so", but I've been warning about this eventuality for the past 5 years.
...So, "I fucking told you so!"
The takeaway from this fact is this: A) There is a government body actually spending official time, money and resources to entertain a band of religious fundamentalist fanatics who have for years been pressuring government to remove constitutional human rights protections from the SA Constitution. B) a body which falls under the mandate of the SA Constitution and has a duty to DEFEND it, is ostensibly giving government support and serious consideration to what amounts to un-Constitutional efforts which would not only violate the human rights of a significant portion of SA citizens - but would also stand in contradiction to several important UN mandates on human right as well
This is cause for significant concern indeed.
Should this farcical business deliver any rotten fruit, it would set in motion a cascade-effect that would collapse the culture of human rights protections for numerous communities.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
So You Think You're A Good Person?
Self-acceptance - the acceptance of the person we are, with whatever defects and flaws - imperfections - and even our perfections, determines who we are and who we become. How can we work towards becoming anything else if we don't even know who we are now? How can you chart a course from A to B if you don't even know where A is, or where B is in relation to you? If you don't even know what your own strengths and weaknesses - and character flaws are - how can you know what to work on, and where to improve, and what to leave behind?
Whatever we are now, we all began as something else. Personally, I'm far more partial to the view that "I am what I choose to accept I am", and "I am what I want to be".
I am what I am. Nice sentiment that. But is it that simple?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Cry, Emo Kid - They Really ARE Out To Kill You
I was shocked and saddened today, when I saw news articles of STATE SANCTIONED AND ENCOURAGED MASSACRES in Iraq.
The target of these unholy act of unspeakable barbarism? LGBT people, feminists - and Emo kids. That's right - Iraqi religious police assisted by fanatic religious militia - and relatives of the victims, have been abducting and murdering people - including children - because they don't approve of their hairstyles, dress, or if they happen to appear a little too masculine or feminine to their liking, for their idea of "appropriate" gender!
Nobody is safe from their brutality and terrorism - not even children!
Monsters!
The target of these unholy act of unspeakable barbarism? LGBT people, feminists - and Emo kids. That's right - Iraqi religious police assisted by fanatic religious militia - and relatives of the victims, have been abducting and murdering people - including children - because they don't approve of their hairstyles, dress, or if they happen to appear a little too masculine or feminine to their liking, for their idea of "appropriate" gender!
Nobody is safe from their brutality and terrorism - not even children!
Monsters!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Apartheid Is Dead, Long Live Apartheid!
I am angered by the attitude of some people in this country. It seems that one can't even enter into a rational debate with people of other races here without it descending into a war of words, where prejudices and stereotyping come to the fore. (You are correct in assuming that this is going to be a rant.
If you disagree with me on this topic, it is your democratic right to do so.
However, I then urge you to also exercise your other democratic right to not read it, while I exercise my right to express myself freely.) Why am I angry? Because it amazes me how many black people still live under the assumption that because I am white and have a car and a house that I am somehow "rich" and that I have "stolen" something from them in order to get it.
Monday, February 6, 2012
The Armpit Of South Africa & Other Stories
I saw a post on Facebook, wherein the poster asked what a political party's position was on legalizing the drug trade in South Africa. The poster was of the opinion that legalizing the trade would make things better and more controllable.
In my opinion, the only thing that legalizing this trade in human dignity, suffering and lost lives will help is that the government would be able to claim its share in tax proceeds from the profit made by these obscene monsters masquerading in human form - something which, in my opinion, could explain why law enforcement agencies struggle so to clamp down on this dangerous and illegal trade in the first place - corruption.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Traditional Hatred
What an interesting holiday season this has been!
Three weeks went by so fast that I once again find myself writing the first article for the new year!
I hope you all had a wonderful time, and whether or not the silly season held any special or even religious significance for you, I hope it was peaceful and filled with love and the company of not just family and friends - but people you really wanted to spend time with, and hopefully, enjoyed their company.
Three weeks went by so fast that I once again find myself writing the first article for the new year!
I hope you all had a wonderful time, and whether or not the silly season held any special or even religious significance for you, I hope it was peaceful and filled with love and the company of not just family and friends - but people you really wanted to spend time with, and hopefully, enjoyed their company.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Crime & Contemplation
Crime and punishment.
This concept is also known as criminal justice and deals with how fairness, legality and morality affect law and order.
The term criminal justice can sometimes refer to the industry that surrounds crime and punishment - and make no mistake, it is an industry.
Some of the many careers in the field are covered on this criminal justice degree site, along with information on educational requirements for those working in this field. I am more concerned with the idea of criminal justice as a social issue.
People seem to think that it is socially acceptable that the punishment for a particular crime, should fit the crime. All too often we find ourselves asking - does it?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
There Is In Prejudice, No Fairness, Nor Equality
We are all losing a little bit of our equality and freedom, a little bit at a time.
All of us, in every social grouping, whatever the basis for discrimination or differentiation, are affected. We all belong to a race group, a gender, a sexual orientation, a personal expression, and have our own religious beliefs. How long before all of us are equal only in our disenfranchisement, powerlessness and despair?
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