Summary: Being homosexual has been banned in Uganda since 1952, but things have been getting out of hand quite recently. A young man, who goes by the name Musaka, told the press of how he and his male friend were dragged out of their home by an angry mob, screaming, "Out with the homos." He and his friend were then taken to a clinic where they were examined, burned, beaten, and much more. However, the policemen of Uganda have denied the torture, and if a gay man would like to take the policemen to court over the beatings, he would have to have exact proof, or else he would be denied. Currently, the "Kill The Gays" Bill was not passed in the Ugandan government, but people identifying as homosexual can be beaten and sentenced to life in prison.
Analysis: This article was written November 3, 2016, just 3 days ago. It was kind of eye-opening for me personally. Lots of people have been so focused on the LGBT rights movement in America, that we've been neglecting these much worse situations going on in other countries. This article has a negative impact on the reader, because it's just so sad, and the writer seems to be very biased against Uganda and pro-LGBT rights. I also think this article is trying to get the point across that it's important to help protect the rights of people in other countries, and to mainly just notify us of what's going on in all of the countries around the world.
Synthesis: This entire incident reminds me of the abolitionist movement of the 1820-40's. Slaves were fighting to be set free and receive equal rights just as everybody else. Just so, today, the LGBT community in Uganda is fighting to receive equal rights and an end to violent discrimination. Both movements, in my opinion should [although some already have been] be recognized, and hopefully, the Ugandan government will wake up and realize what they've been doing is wrong.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/uganda-gay-men-tortured-police-sodomised-beaten-a7395856.html
This is most definitely terrible. I hope, as you do, that the Ugandan government opens its eyes, although I do not doubt that it will take a large effort from the people of Uganda. Abolitionism did not succeed without protest, and America's Civil/Gay Rights Movements did not happen without outrage and suffering. Progress can be achieved, but it will sway back and forth from time to time, as shown by the Transgender Bathroom Bill and less recent leniency concerning an assassin who killed an openly gay politician (this was around 1973 I think and sparked the White Night Riots).
ReplyDelete-Cal Thompson