home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
TNA-GOLD 1
/
TNA-GOLD - Volume 1.iso
/
24hours
/
marginal.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
INI File
|
1996-03-11
|
1KB
|
35 lines
[Prev| Next| Index]
Allen Cypher, cypher@apple.com, Palo Alto, CA USA
Marginalized. I remember the first time I heard a friend use that term. I
didn't understand what it meant. She explained that it means not being
accepted by the central part of a social group. We were discussing women in
the business world at the time.
I have since realized that it describes blacks in America.
I have since realized that it describes poor people in America.
I have since realized that it describes gays in America.
Being "marginalized" means more than just belonging to a minority. Rich
people are not marginalized in America. Asians are not marginalized in
America. People are pushed to the margin because a society refuses to
acknowledge their needs, their beliefs, and their concerns.
I fear for the child who is growing up gay in America. Imagine trying to
learn about homosexuality, only to find that the software that protects
against indecency also blocks access to any mention of homosexuality. This
child has just been labelled indecent. This child has just been
marginalized.
McCarthyism was a form of marginalization. It wasn't acceptable to be a
communist, to associate with communists, or to agree with the ideas of
communism. McCarthyism showed us that freedom of expression can be
suppressed in this country.
For America to be the great country that it can be, we must respect others,
value diversity, and cherish free speech.
[Image]