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“Sweet land of liberty. . .”

As a white, middle class, suburban male growing up in the latter third of the 20th century, I never had reason to question my political status. The freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution a given, I never knew a time when they did not apply to me. I never had to ask my government to grant me the same rights as the next guy. I never had to go to court to win what the law already said was mine. I never had to march or protest. I knew that I would never be told I am not welcome. I would never be hated, hurt, ridiculed or shunned. When I grew up I assumed I would land a good job, get married, live a quiet happy, uneventful life.

“Of thee I sing. . . “

As I think of the song, I remember being taught that in the United States of America everybody had the same rights. . . a status I so easily took for granted. I never once bothered to think that the words might feel empty, hollow, an insult to those less advantaged. The law was written to protect everyone, but the television told me a different story. From civil rights to equal rights, millions marched, banners flew and bras burned. Somebody always seemed to be fighting for the very thing I took for granted. But I was free, and could change the channel, sing the song with pride.

“Land where my fathers died. . . “

As I grew, it became harder to look the other way. As one group gained acceptance, another took its place, and the struggle to earn what the Constitution granted me without question continued anew. From race to sex to creed. . . now to sexual orientation, a population is singled out to bear the brunt of our nations ridicule. A rope in a tree and a cross on the lawn has given way to flogging and being left chained to a fence to die.

“Land of the Pilgrim’s pride. . . “

But the Constitution has always remained steadfast, even when we could not live by its noble words. Battles became victories as the law finally came to the aid of those it was designed to protect. Despite threats from those that resisted change, preferred to hate . . . that a new groups inclusion would tear our country apart. . .we grew from the experience. While the haters chose new targets, the rest of us learned and moved on. . . a little wiser, a lot stronger with a new groups taste of liberty, and this weeks landmark decision is no exception.

This past week, the State of Massachusetts finally came to the aid of the latest group under social attack and legal sanction. It stood, as it should, for the right of a homosexual to marry. Despite all of the arguments for and against allowing same sex marriages, the court followed the spirit of our law. . . that no person is less free than the next. To deny one person any right is to deny freedom itself, and marriage is a right any two consenting adults should have. As a legal status, it is a partnership, a union that takes precedence over any other agreement or bond. In a court it stands above the rights of blood relation, and allows unlimited access to a partner's private life. Automatically, a spouse is first in line as next of kin, and doors normally shut are now open. Any law that forbids this goes against the very idea we are all taught. . . that we are free.

“From every mountainside. . .”

In my humble opinion, I commend Massachusetts and hope to see the rest of the country follow suit. While some may protest, say this too will bring our country to ruin, they need to remember that if we do not stand for freedom and equality in every quarter, we all stand to lose our own identity as a free people in the end. The words of the song are not meaningless; they should be sung with pride . . . by every American . . . its final stanza etched into our hearts:

“Let freedom ring!”