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Hi Kate! Thank you for this article. I noticed the same thing as the story unfolded in the media. I must add that my first thought was astonishment and great inner pain because even today, people still get killed for been born his same skin color. So I thought, "how could he?". Your article sheds light on a much broader issue of hate, love and acceptance of each other beyond our differences. Again, thank you and BIG HUG!
When I taught middle school, I had to constantly defend students when ignorant bible-thumping teachers made remarks about gay students. They went from wanting to beat their own children if they were gay, to demanding they pray to God and ask for forgiveness. Tracey Morgan apologized to keep his 30 Rock job.
Interesting reaction, seeing as how the author is, as stated, 'coming late to the party' as regards Mr. Morgan's indefensible 'comedy' act. While I and most others will defend to the death Mr. Morgan's right to say whatever he likes, there comes a point when speech irrevocably leads to action, if not of the original speaker,then of someone who hears it, and finds in it a spur, a blessing, a 'call to action. We are all aware of instances in which some irresponsible party says some foolish things, knowing full well what the reaction will be from others. When one utters such things as Mr. Morgan has, one must expect that there will be some reaction, both on the listeners, who may then consider their action 'sanctioned, and those to whom the supposed words or action is directed, in this instance, gay sons. What Mr. Morgan, among others, fail to realize is that some people will act on their feelings of homophobia and ultimately direct their actions outward toward others they perceive as 'gay'. Public figures have a responsibility to know this, and knowing this, realize (usually) that the equivalent of shouting 'fire' in a crowded theatre will have a deleterious effect, sometimes to the point of murder, which Mr. Morgan so eloquently advocated for his own child, should the child declare or evidence his 'gayness'. Ms. Ferguson, being an editor-in-chief and self professed advocate of 'healthy relationships, knows this as well as anyone. Therefore, it is difficult to accept what she says at face value. This was at base an incident of hate speech, designed and uttered to stimulate a reaction. She knows this, we know this. When one shouts fire in a crowded theatre, one must accept responsibility for the falling beams and ashes in which one finds oneself. This is particularly reprehensible in light of the many recent (and underreported) murders of eighteen gay people in Puerto Rico, to name but one instance of homophobic actions no doubt spurred on by those in the public eye, be they pastors, preachers, politicians or other so called 'community leaders. When one is the object of the hate speech, it becomes apparent that there is an ever increasing climate of hostility and violence toward gay people. And, yes, we WILL hold those speakers of hate speech accountable. ?We must, for it is our lives we are fighting for. We will not sit idly by and allow others to determine for us or define how we should live, or what we should be in order to make them 'comfortable' or accept us as gay people.
The funny thing about "free speech" is that in only means that the government won't come after you for what you say publicly. Free speech does not mean speech without ramifications. Personally, I find it offensive how Morgan as well as others, speak on behalf or their deities. Saying that "Homosexuality is a choice because god doesn't make mistakes" is saying that a. a god exists, and b. that gay people are mistakes. The irony here is that the "success" of heterosexuals being "fruitful" could be one of the biggest threats to our continued existence. I will leave further judgments regarding Mr. Morgan to others, but caution that whatever whomever has to say publicly may come with costs. Perhaps the lesson here is think before you speak.
Adrian
Hi Kate, Thank you for a great article.
November 5, 2011