I'm sure pretty much everyone has heard about the weddings in San Francisco by now. This article talks about the personal significance to those involved. I also enjoyed gaijin's first hand account.

I overheard a little bit of the talk radio my dad had on this morning, as hosts and callers alike fumed and fussed about how the people in San Francisco were "violating California law". Technically, of course, they are right. It is currently against the law for homosexuals to get married in California. But the spiteful, derisive tone of the talk made me wonder if some members of the KKK weren't having similar discussions amongst themselves 40 years ago, when the civil rights movement became a national concern.

What is it that drives that kind of prejudice? Is it mere ignorance, or a more willful malevolence toward other members of the human race? I'm inclined to suspect the former in most cases, but haven't entirely ruled out the latter. Is it really, as some polls seem to indicate, the way a majority of Americans think? I hope not.

Even if it is, some solace can be found in the fact that a mere half century ago, racial segregation was the norm, and was also supported by a majority of the white populace. If we've come this far in just a few decades, imagine where we might be in another 30, 40, or 50 years. Maybe things aren't so bad after all.

In any event, I thought it would be worthwhile to make a brief note here of what could turn out to be remembered as a major landmark in United States history, taking place right now in front of us. Sometimes, one must look up from the everyday personal struggles to gain inspiration and perspective about the larger picture.