By Abdul Jabbar
Caliph
“We’ve got to find a
way to reconcile ourselves to living in a community, one group with the other.
To be successful, the struggle must be waged with resolute efforts that are
kept strictly within the framework of our democratic society. This means
reaching, educating and moving large enough groups of people of both races to
stir the conscience of the nation.” Martin Luther King
All across the United States we
are seeing a highly political charged issue being debated that will determine
the future of millions of colonized subjects trapped within the decadent
boarders of this country. Some have called it disgusting while others have come
out in support of it. Whether you call it a civil union, domestic partnership
or gay marriage it is an issue that has divide the community not just along
racial lines but class lines as well.
Here in the State of Maryland we
have seen the contradictions around this issue; and we have seen how the
capitalist power structure has used this issue to divide the masses of the
people. This issue has and is being used to elevate a few individuals and
professional political operatives to a higher political office at the expense
of the masses. It is an issue that keeps the people’s attention misdirected,
focused away from the real contradictions that exist in this capitalist
society: the contradiction of political oppression and economical exploitation.
We in the Pan-African
International Coordinating Committee (PICC) have taken the following political
position on this issue. First, we recognize the fact that this a highly charged
political issue that is being used to divided the masses. Second, this is not a
civil rights issue but an issue of human rights, humanity’s treatment of humanity.
Third, we have taken the political position of the original Black Panther Party
(BPP) on this issue: as along as a comrade is doing the political work to be
free from political oppression and economical exploitation then we have to
respect their rights to be a part of humanity, and live the kind of lifestyle
they choose. As long as that lifestyle is not harming the interest of the
people involved, or the community at large, we have no right to interfere and you
had better not touch them. Finally, we also realize that this issue opens the
door for other forms of marriage to be accepted such as polygamy. Maryland State
must recognize the fact that they cannot regulate true love or what consenting
adults do in the privacy of their own homes.
We realize that gay bashing can
only stop when humanity decides to stand up and end capitalism as a tool of
oppression, only under Socialism will gays be able to be recognized as human
beings. Second, in order to win their rights of equality the LBGT community
must close ranks if this is too be achieved? They are too divided among
themselves right now. Third, that which passes itself off as the progressive
left in this country must take a stand and stop vacillating on this issue. This
community has reached out for help and they deserve an answer. We recommend
that instead of waiting and looking for support on this issue that the LBGT
take charge and push forward their political campaign.
The LBGT community has not awakened
to the fact that the issue homosexual couples being able to marry is being used
to elevate certain political officials to higher office. Even through the issue
passed both the Senate and the House the bill will not be signed into law by
legislators. It will go to a referendum and the people will decide the issue.
This is a tool that relives
Maryland States political officials of having any real commitment to the issue,
not only that but the bill can still be defeated by gathering 18,579 signatures
to stop it from going to the November 6, 2012 ballot. Del. Neil Parrot, a
Western Maryland Republican is believed to be heading up the opposition to this
bill. He has established a websites making it easier for people to see exactly
how their names are listed on the Maryland voters roll so that you can see if
the petition is signed correctly. The Ujima People’s Progressive Party (UPP) is
establishing such a program in order to become the first Black official
independent political party in the State of Maryland.
As we have suggested to a few of
our comrades in the Liberate Baltimore Coalition (LBC), the LBGT community must
take the lead on this issue. They must be willing to establish and give
direction within the campaign, not only must these members be willing to do
this they must seek the support of the coalition in order to develop strategy
and tactics (goals and objectives) that can be achieved realistically. They
need to recognize the fact that this campaign is far from being over.
Malcolm X was right when he said
that we have to demand Human Rights not Civil Rights. Civil Rights get passed
as Amendments into law and or voted on every 10 or 20 years to see if they are
still of importance. The Voters Rights Act is such an issue. Human Rights are
the right that you are born with and the rights that everybody must recognize
In closing I want to encourage
the people involved in the fight for human rights for the LGBT community keep
their heads up and come out swinging with both fist on this issue. If they wait
for someone else to take charge of this campaign, they may never get another
chance.
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