Justices Rule for Protesters at Military Funerals
Terry Z
The U.S Supreme court has ruled in favour of the protesters who attend the funerals of deceased military officers. The first amendment apparently protects hateful protests at military funerals. The protests are a result of the U.S military's tolerance towards homosexual individuals. As a result, various religious groups have attended funerals of dead military officers in a form of protest. They bring hateful signs such as the ones depicted in the image above.
It is extremely disrespectful to attend a person's funeral and spread a message of hate in the presence of their family members. It is equally disappointing that the U.S Supreme Court condones this sort of behaviour. I do not believe that this is a matter of free speech. These soldiers gave their lives to preserve our rights and freedoms. Ironically, the same rights and freedoms now allow these religious groups to slander and disrespect these fallen soldiers. These kinds of protests are a response to the U.S governments earlier repeal of the 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy. To my knowledge, homosexual individuals are now allowed to openly serve in the military. However, many people still suffer with homophobia.
Personally, I feel angry and ashamed to live in a society that is intolerant of a person's sexual orientation. I believe that an individual has the freedom to choose their partner. In addition, these sorts of protests are a negative influence on children. This image above shows children participating in these hateful actions. These children do not fully understand the consequences of their actions however, they will be influenced from a young age to be discriminant of homosexuals.
1.) Do you think that these people have the right to protest at military funerals? Or do you think that this exceeds the definition of 'free speech'?
2.)Do you think that homophobia is a problem within our society?
Personally, I believe that it is morally incorrect for anyone to have a protest held at a funeral. However, looking at the situation from a legal point of view, I do believe that these people have the right to protest at funerals, within reasonable limits. Recently, the Oklahoma governor signed laws which create limitations for people protesting at funerals for fallen soldiers. Some of these measures include protesting 2 hours before or after a funeral at a distance of 1000 feet instead of 500.
ReplyDeleteIt would be unconstitutional to restrict protests at funerals for fallen soldiers. I don’t agree with the message that these protestors are spreading, but this is a matter of free speech. You can’t simply restrict a protest because certain people find it to be hurtful or offensive. Offensive protest should be protected as well. I guess even ‘free speech’ has its own pros and cons. Although the court’s decision is morally wrong, it is legally correct.
As for your second question, homophobia is not as big as an issue in the Canadian society. In fact, in Canada homosexuals are allowed to get married. On a national level, most Canadians are open-minded and accommodate people with different beliefs, races, and even sexual orientations. However, you can’t same the same for many developing countries. For example, in Malawi the sentence for engaging in a homosexual act is up to 14 years in prison. Many more developing countries use similar methods to punish homosexuals. Even in countries where homosexuality is tolerated, such as South Africa, incidents of “corrective rape” are on the rise. Corrective rape is when heterosexual citizens rape homosexuals to “cure” them of their homosexuality. Clearly, such people are ignorant that homosexuality is not necessarily a choice. Because different people around the world are grown up with different levels of education and tolerance, immigrants coming into Canada from developing countries may be more significant contributors of homophobia in our society than Canadian citizens.
If this is in Canada, I will find the people have no right to protest at the military funeral. It exceeds the definition of freedom of speech because it is spreading and promoting hate against Homosexuals. It is also disrespectful to the soldier who died in for the country. People in Canada are already starting to accept homosexual individuals and I think we cannot let homosexual people be discriminated or hated anymore.
ReplyDelete2)I do not think Homosexuals are a problem in the society. They are like normal people, they work for the economy and they help provide for the community. If you say that they cannot make babies, there are a lot of people who are single and there are many hetrosexual partners who decide to not have children. As a matter of fact, Homosexuals work harder and provides more for the society.
1) This would not stand in Canada. Bill C 250 prohibits what the American Supreme Court allowed. This breaks the reasonable limits clause on Free Speech.
ReplyDelete2) Homophobia is not a problem within secular democratic societies. However homophobia is a problem in societies in which religious intolerance is rampant, such as Saudi Arabia.
I will have to respectfully disagree with Simmi on this issue. The right to free speech should not have harmful effects on its intended audience. In this case, homosexual individuals are being targeted and are victims of these hateful protests. Recently, the U.S government condemned the burning of the Quran as a form of protest. According to your argument, people should be allowed to burn the Quran and yell racists slurs. However, people in the Afghanistan heard about the U.S pastor's intent to burn the Quran and as a result,killed innocent United Nations employees. Inncocent people died because of one person's hateful protest. I feel that the justice court's decision was based on the existing prejudice against homosexuals. The suicide of a gay male at Rutgers University is evidence of the harmful effects of this prejudice and dominant discourse within our society.
ReplyDeleteAs I said before, I don’t agree with the message such protests give to society and it would certainly not be allowed in Canada, but I’m not looking at the Supreme Court’s decision with a Canadian perspective. I also mentioned that protests should be allowed, with reasonable limits and forms of protest such as burning a religious text is clearly beyond reasonable limits. Ideally free speech should not have harmful effects on its audience, but realistically, it is unavoidable in certain cases.
ReplyDeleteOne of the Justices of the U.S. Supreme court said
"Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and — as it did here — inflict great pain.” On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker. As a nation we have chosen a different course — to protect even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate."
Clearly, American’s give much importance to free speech and freedom in general. I do not believe that the court's decision was based on the existing prejudice against homosexuals. American’s in general value their freedom greatly and do not appreciate state inference or control over their rights. And the court’s decision reflects that national value. As the Justice said, American’s have chosen a different path in terms of free speech and liberties. So until we see a change in American values or until the government has real authoritative power which can strictly limit and restrict free speech in certain situations, such protests may unfortunately be allowed by the Supreme Court. I’m not saying people should yell racist slurs, I’m simply pointing out technicalities that can justify the court’s decision because there is always two sides to a coin.
And in response to Ryan’s comment, is it true that homosexuals work harder, and contribute more to society than heterosexuals? I find that statement absurd and void of any truth because there are no facts to support it. It’s interesting to note here that if you had said heterosexuals work harder than homosexuals, you would probably be accused of being homophobic or partial towards heterosexuals. I don’t mean to attack you personally, but I found that statement rather hard to believe.
From my personal view, I see most homophobic people that I know work harder and it seems that they try extra hard to be accepted in society compared with the averages people. It was only my opinion and I obviously don't have any facts to back it up.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is simply heart breaking! As a part of a North American society where the idea of of homosexuality is more accepted here, I am extreamly ashamed! That is beyond disrespectful to spread such hate, espeically during a funeral for god sake. These people risked thier lives to make the country better and instead of applauding them, their being critized about their PERSONAL sexual orientation from beneath the ground? I honeslty do not see how that is relevant to their heroic actions at all. There is no free speech in this matter, what kind of free speech is said when your stating something against someone else's free will? I feel like it's extreamly innappropriate to protest at a funeral, just out of respect if one really does feel the need to say something, than atleast out of common courtesy for the deceased indivudal and thier family, protest later !
ReplyDeleteHoneslty that really is a good question, and something that as a society we don't really think about. Or atealst I don't, its so easy to say that just because were "Canadian", that were a completly accepting society, but I very much doubt that. Specifically, even the way that words are used, like " no homo", that we have such a fear of sounding gay, that we actually have created a word to make ourselves content that were not homosexual. In my opnion thats extreamly childish. I understand one thinking it's wierd and different, but with all do respect get over it, it's their sexual orientation, not yours.
1. By law, they obviously do have the right to protest at military funerals, however, I find that to be very disrespectful. Clearly, these kids have been brainwashed and instigated by their parents or whoever in charge to do such thing at military funerals. How can one distinguish whether someone has exceeded the definition/ limit of free speech? It depends on the person. As for me, they have not exceeded the definition of free speech. Even, after putting myself in homosexuals’ place, I might be offended and discouraged to be open about myself, but I definitely do not think they have exceeded their own right to speak.
ReplyDelete2. I find homophobia to be a problem within our society only when there is bullying, emotional, physical, verbal abuse involved. If the society does not agree with it than it is fine as long as they do not get involved since it is none of their business. I do not agree or believe in homosexuality but that does not mean that I hate them or discourage them. It is their choice and their right to live their lives according to themselves.
It's depressing. Instead of appreciating those that risked their lives for their country they are being critisized for sexual orientation? Does this make any sense? How does being a homosexual make you less of a hero than a straight male?
ReplyDeleteAnd I completely agree with you Terry, if we unconditionally allow protests because they are a right granted by the constitution then things like what Terry Jones did that day(the Qur'an burning) will reoccur and hate would spread like wildfire. Things always get out of hand during protests and I do not feel that this is something acceptable at someone's funeral. I feel that protests at funerals should be banned. It's disrespectful and highly immoral.
As for homophobia, it is definitely still an issue as religion will always be a key factor in the hate against homosexuals. It is forbidden in every religion I know. Looking at the boards those kids were holding sends a clear hate message. It's disgusting how their parents allow them to engage in such protests at such a young age. Clearly they are being brainwashed into thinking that homosexuals are inferior. Should people be allowed to brainwash children this way? It's evil to plant such negative thoughts in young innocent childrens' minds because as you said Terry, it will stick with them in the future and encourage discrimination.
In response to Fatima's statement that “By law, they obviously do have the right to protest at military funerals...". I do not agree with this statement. I believe that it is against the law to target a group of individuals with hate speech. For instance, you are not allowed to speech out against Jews (anti-Semitism) or against African Americans. History has demonstrated countless times, the harmful effects of society's prejudices (i.e. - Racism in America, Martin Luther King, and the Holocaust). In conclusion, they should not be allowed to protest against homosexuals because it causes harm to the gay community.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am unsure by what Ryan meant when he said, “most homophobic people I know work harder." Being homosexual does not mean you are lazy. I think that is an absurd generalization. There have been many successful, hardworking, homosexuals (i.e. - Elton John, Lance Bass, Ellen DeGeneres, etc.)
It is so disappointing to see the protestors pay the soldiers with evil after they had devoted their lives and time to serve and protect them- the protestors or civilians, probably people the soldiers hardly know. It is irrational to protest at a funeral in the first place, who does that? These protestors should be arrested for invading the privacy of others- that is the families and friends gathered at the funeral site to mourn their loved ones. Also they should be fined; made to pay a huge amount of money for such an offence. These protestors have exceeded their right to an extent that they are even abusing it. The cops in the background of the photo seem to be supporting the protest. They did not even make an attempt to alert the protestors that they are not allowed to protest in such an environment even though they-the protesters, have the right to express themselves freely
ReplyDeleteHomophobia is not a big issue in Canada or our society. Same sex marriages are actually allowed here in Canada compared to other countries that has strict laws. It’s not really advisable to engage these kids in such a cruel, meaningless protest because it encourages them not to appreciate what people such as the dead soldier had done for them or the country as a whole. It also gives them the license to talk inappropriately to others in public. They may grow up not being conscious of the abusive words they use in public.