Passions run deep By Malinda Masing She wrinkled her nose in distaste and looked away, while I twitched my fingers nervously in the awkward silence. As we waited outside our English classroom, the moment was only cut by the chill of the November morning. The newly discovered difference between my junior-high friend and I over gay marriage, her against and me for, hung in the frigid air. The topic of gay marriage has become a rather nasty one between us, especially since the emergence of Proposition 8, which acknowledges only a man and woman as a married couple, and the California's Supreme Court decision to uphold it. Clashes between crosses and rainbow flags have splashed into the media, with each side trying to impress one's opinion upon the other. Despite the animosity that the topic could cause between us, my friend and I have discovered what the larger groups need to: We cannot change each other. These two sides must be aware of each other's motives. There must be a level of understanding. The main point is that how strongly one feels about religion is the same as how intensely one believes in civil liberties. Vice versa, the deep regard for equal rights is at the same level of feeling as the traditionally religious. These levels of passion are blatantly obvious as both sides refuse to step down, but to help ease the conflict the intensity of both passions must be understood. This is the lesson that we have learned, and if two teenage girls can figure it out, there may be hope yet. We have agreed to disagree and, although our differences may never be completely resolved, as well as the general public's, we have at least reached a form of agreement and recognize why it is the way it is. She will still go home and pray for my salvation because I do not see her light, and I will always feel sick for what I deem her lack of human compassion. Whatever the outcome of the great debate, at least we will be able to understand the winner and loser. Adam and Eve vs. Adam and Steve. In this corner, the traditionalists claim that the morals of a straight marriage are at stake. And in this corner, the gay unionists argue for universal human rights. This clash has not only caused conflict between the two major groups, but also is bursting the seams of what middle ground there could be. The intensity with which both groups fight for their beliefs is equal. This must be realized. • • • Vox is the newspaper of the 2009 CCNMA-San Diego Multicultural Journalism Workshop. Return to index | See also: Vox on Blogspot