Michael Anderson: Working class organizer & queer activist. This is a speech Michael gave on Sept 19th, 2010 downtown San Diego, CA at a rally demanding freedom for whistle-blower Bradley Manning.
The 2nd class treatment by the State that LGBTQAI people currently grow increasingly discontent with is not THE issue, it is one of numerous examples of the failure of the current system. Our struggle does not differ from that of the working poor who struggle for healthcare for themselves and their family, is that not what we struggle for? To ensure that our partners have access to medical treatment. Our struggle does not differ from that of immigrants who are told to forget their culture and assimilate to the societal norm. We too are told to hide our culture and our personality traits. We are told not to "act gay" which is not only a homophobic comment but a misogynist comment because it's rooted in anti female sentiment. Everything is connected it's clear to see if you look, because we are all a part of the same system of oppression, what affects one does affect all.
What does equality mean for us if the system we demand equality in, is broken? What does equality mean for us, if the economic system is unequal? Queer people are at a disadvantage economically and in many other ways in this country. We are more likely to suffer from mental disorders such as depression and addiction. We are more likely to drop out of high school. This means that we are more likely to be in the lower section of this class system. There is an economic draft in this country. This means those who are at an economic disadvantage are more likely to have the need to serve in the military. With more bases than there are countries in the world, our military empire needs troops, as the military becomes more gay friendly the more queer people will be willing to serve. We must fix our economic system and end the States imperialist conquest or queer people will not be free.
The issue of punishing those who leak information that shows atrocities that have been committed in our name and unjustly kept secret by those who perpetuate war and occupation on others is a civil rights issue. Whistleblowers must be protected. The media must not be censored and freedom of information must be upheld if we are to live in a free society.
When we as LGBT people come out of the closet, revealing information that angers, scares and confuses some within the general public. We risk our safety and our freedom. When queer people must hide who we are because of the fear of losing our job, as can be the case in more states in this country than not, you are not free.
When one must fear losing ones job, ones freedom and possibly ones life for revealing war crimes... For revealing the true nature of war, you are not free.
From the Iran Contra Scandal, to the Gulf of Tankah, to the truths shown on Collateral Murder the state has attempted to hide truth that exposes the military Industrial Complex for the corrupt, insidious, treasonous system that it is. Anyone who has the courage to stand in the face of this evil, risking imprisonment, confinement and submission to inhuman conditions of living should be hailed a hero and set free immediately.
Speaking truth to what seems to me to be madness is something I can as a queer can relate too. We risk our safety by simply being honest and open about who we are. We are called diseased, child molesters, sexual deviants and even blamed by some for terrorist attacks and even natural disasters.
Bradley is called a traitor and some have called for his execution. This is because he, like open queer people, has challenged the powers that be and exposed this system of injustice for what it is.
The people of this world are together. We have said time and time again no to war, no to poverty, no to secrecy, no to war crimes, no to oppression. I have hope that if we continue to organize, to come together in true solidarity that is practiced not only preached we will see a better tomorrow. We must use every tool, every contact, every pressure point to demand the release of Bradley. Guilty or innocent of the allegations made against him by the State, Bradley Manning must be released.
I would like to finish with a quote by former Socialist Party Presidential candidate, union leader, and founding member of the Industrial Workers of the World, Eugene V. Debbs. He was arrested in 1918 for giving a speech denouncing American participation in WWI. He was convicted under the Espionage Act of 1917 and sentenced to a term of 10 years
While there is a lower class, I am in it, while there is a criminal element, I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.
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FREE BRADLEY MANNING!by SkidRowRadio327 views
good rally you guys thank you so much let me know when there is another one!
Sleeplessthrash 1 year ago
Why was this Manning cocksucker allowed in the US Army? Can somebody explain that?
JimmyFormerMarine 1 year ago