The way it should be

There are certain things we're not allowed to say, or even talk about in today's society. Things that are understood to be taboo, and strictly off limits, unless you want to be labeled and branded for the rest of your life.

In a country that founded the very idea of "free speech", I find this outrageous and incredibly stupid.

Why is it, I can go to nearly any university in America, and hear lectures and guest speakers promoting hate, violence and racism against the Right-wing, and even average white Americans? Yet, let a nonviolent Conservative try to speak at a campus, and everyone loses their damned minds?

Why is it, most major cities, including so-called Conservative ones, permit (and often promote) discrimination in the form of things like gay pride parades, Cinco De Mayo celebrations, or even Miss Black America beauty pageants? And yet, no one can express pride in being straight, white or male, without being labeled a bigot, racist or sexist?

I'm not asking for my own parade, nightclubs or businesses. I don't want a special month, or even a day set aside for people who physically look like me, or act like me. All I want is true equality for everyone... of all races, genders, spiritual or sexual preferences. Where no one is treated any differently than anyone else, and no one has any more or less rights than anyone else.

I want to live in world where gays are allowed to marry, adopt children and share work benefits with their partners; but aren't allowed to hold parades or exclusive businesses that ban others. I want to have a country where African Americans can get a safe and decent education, with as many opportunities as anyone else to get better jobs; without having their own history month, colleges and laws forcing people to hire them based entirely on skin color. A place where women can be paid just as much as any male counterpart, with the same chances for promotions in every job; but are expected to do the same work, at the same level as any man.

To me, that is true equality, when you leave your race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious/political views at home whenever you go out into society. When we can honestly say that we don't really care if you're White, Black, Asian, Latino, gay, straight, male, female, Liberal or Conservative. As long as you follow the laws, all are welcome here... that's the America I want to live in.