MY NEW HERO
George Takei
In their continuing efforts to create a world which elevates Conservative Christian White males over any and all other demographics, legislators in Tennessee are attempting to modify the English language. Somehow, someone got the brilliant idea that if they prohibit teachers from saying the word “gay” or even acknowledging the existence of any flavor of sexuality except for heterosexuality, Voila!!…the problem disappears.
Not so very long ago, I might have launched into a lengthy rant. I might have gone on at some length about the arrogance and prejudice of the beyond-ignorant knuckle-draggers behind this bag of flaming dog crap disguised as legislation. Really, though…do the people behind the effort to legislate their narrow morality give a tinker’s damn about what I think? Nah, not really. So why should I expend the brain cells and column inches on thinking that I’m taking them down?
No, what I’m about today is celebrating someone who’s taken a look at this travesty and decided to use humor to draw attention to it. George Takei- yes, THAT George Takei- has graciously lent his name to the cause. Takei, who over the years has become an activist for GLBT rights, has just done more with less than just about anyone I can think of. Takei could have gone off on the Tennessee troglodytes behind the “don’t say ‘gay’” bill, but instead he’s done something far more subtle…and, ultimately, probably far more impactful. In lauging at the troglodytes, perhaps the good and decent majority in Tennessee will be moved to do something to prevent “don’t say ‘gay’” from becoming law. Because when we begin legislating language, how far away are we from legislating thought??
Have a very Takei day, y’all….
