I live in a country where women who have sex without marriage are considered prostitutes, while men who have sex without marriage are considered “just doing what men do” and in many some cases hold government office or are celebrities.
I live in a country where abortions incredibly difficult to get, even in the case of rape or incest, unless you are wealthy and able to travel great distances to find a doctor.
I live in a country where money governs absolutely and low-wage workers are barely recognized by the legal system.
I live in a country that spits on the illegal immigrants who do the dirty and dangerous jobs that natives don’t want to do because it’s, you know, dirty.
I live in a country where skin color determines the quality of service you receive in a store, at a restaurant, at a hotel.
I live in a country where men’s voices are heard more loudly than women’s voices.
I live in a country where God gets invoked as justification for laws and policies that serve the rich and powerful, not the poor and meek.
I live in a country where the voices of reason and progress struggle to be heard over the voices of extremism and zealotry.
Here’s my question for you: am I talking about the United States or the United Arab Emirates? Lately it’s been getting more and more difficult to see the difference.
I’m linking this rant–inspired by Rush Limbaugh, Rick Santorum, the Tea Party, and an assorted cast of American right-wing zealots–to yeah write #48. There are lots of other posts at yeahwrite this week who AREN’T ranting, so you should click through and read what they’re saying this week. Then come back on Thursday and vote for your three favorites!
Your “rant” is extremely on-point, well-reasoned and chilling. I’m sad for the disenfranchised the world over.
I thought you were living in Mexico for a second.
Oh how true! I live abroad as well and on each trip back to the States as I’m savoring some delicacy I can’t get here and part of me starts pining to move back home, all I have to do is turn on Fox News (or really any cable news show) and remember that my blood pressure is lower taking myself a bit farther away from American politics. Last trip home it was Donald Trump and the birther controversy. But it’s always some idiocy.
Y’know, for a minute there, I thought you were talking about Malaysia. What is our world coming to?
With just the first paragraph I didn’t know which you were talking about /;-)
Enjoyed your rant, in spite of the sad truth of it all.
Enjoyed the rant though saddened by the truthfulness of it all.
seriously!!
So, so true. It’s getting scary around these parts!
BRAVO!!!!
I’m in Canada, but follow what’s happening with our neighbors closely. As Kim said, Bravo to this! Well done. I’m with you and for you.
Bravo! Bravo! Insert LOUD clapping here!
It’s a global economy, and global prejudices… that Santorum is winning so many states is more horrifying than W, even, and that’s saying something.
I am right there with you! It’s scary times, here.
Sadly it was hard to tell which country you were writing about. Enjoyed this post very much! Very powerful and though provoking rant.
So true…and so frustratingly sad.
gud one
But isn’t it nice to live in a country where you can express your views so freely? We have our issues – for certain – but we also have a wonderful country.
Scary!
I hope the rant made you feel better – or at least released some frustration! At the very least, we live in a country where the statements are not absolute. There’s hope for positive evolution.
I thought I knew exactly where you were talking about and felt a tightness of anger and pity in my gut, but it was not until I read your last lines that I truly felt awful. I get caught up in my personal day to day and find lately I’ve been trying to just ignore so many ugly things happening. Thank you for smacking me in the face with them today. I pretty much needed that.
Great ending!!!