Progressiveness is on the right side of history. Our country has shown time and time again that we move forward, not backwards. This country has been built from our birth on progressive and liberal principles, step by step, striving to improve. Starting with our constitution, which had radical and liberal ideals such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion, which were unheard of concepts in the British Empire.
While the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were quite literally revolutionary, they were far from perfect. Slavery was condoned and women were not the equals of men and were not allowed to vote, among other problematic things. It took far too long, but within 100 years we abolished slavery. This did not mean that there was instant equality for people of color (there still is not complete equality), but it was a very big step in the right direction. Amazingly and sadly, nearly another century passed before all laws forbidding black people from voting were eradicated. Slow progress...but progress nonetheless.
Point is, progressivism is what drives this country and what makes us a world leader. In the past progress was slow and laborious. The speed in which we share and consume information today requires change to move swiftly and leaves far fewer obstacles to overcome.
A prime example of the difference in how quickly massive social change can occur is women's right to vote versus same sex marriage rights. In 1920, women were finally given the right to vote in political elections. Sixty-four years later, Geraldine Ferraro was the first female vice-presidential candidate. Contrast that with gay marriage rights: Massachusetts was the first state in the US to legalize same sex marriage in 1989, and today 32 states have passed laws giving lesbian and gay couples the right to marry. That's a span of 15 years, and in the last two years alone 16 of those states have made it legal. Progress is no longer driven by a horse and buggy; change now drives a Ferrari.
Ultimately, the US has always pushed ahead. Not content to stay put, but to be an example to the rest of the world of how to innovate and how to treat it's citizens. We embrace that progress is not settling for what used to work; it is all about making things better. To improve humanity.
Which brings me to the present. The Republicans now control the House and the Senate. According to the policies they want to enact and enforce, they seemingly want our country to stay in the 1950s, their vision of our golden era. Never mind in that time period, black people had to drink out of separate water fountains and where it was societally expected that women should subjugate themselves to the men in their lives. The problem with this mindset is that America proceeds and does not stay put. We push and push and push forward.
Thing is, I get why many Republicans think this way. Change is a scary thing to many people. It is the great unknown, the future is. It is safe to stay the same, to live in a past that seems a lot better than it actually was. Change is coming and always will. Just 50 years ago, interracial marriage was against the law. Doesn't that seem rather close-minded now? Looking back, it seems difficult to envision a valid argument against a couple that were two different races from being able to marry the one they love. It seems patently ridiculous that it was ever opposed. But it was. Then history did what it always does: closes the door on intolerant beliefs.
Same sex marriage will be a reality in every state someday, and probably very soon. So will things like equal pay for women, marijuana legalization, raising the minimum wage, creating renewable and sustainable energy, and working to slow down and eventually neutralize climate change. All of that is coming.
The question is... do you want to be on the wrong side of history?
This originally appeared in Doug's blog.