Retraction Request On Irene Monroe's Editorial Comparing Slavery To Marriage Equality

Retraction request for Irene Monroe's post Obama harkens backs to slavery with "states’ rights" for

Dear Mr. Fineman:

We write you concerning Irene Monroe's latest editorial on Huffington Post titled Obama Harkens Back To Slavery With States Rights For Same Sex Marriage.

Same sex marriage is not the only civil law currently regulated state by state. Immigration laws are left up to the state. Divorce laws, various licensing laws, adoption laws, child custody laws, age appropriate drinking, driving, even breastfeeding in public, are all currently regulated state by state.

We found Miss Monroe's comparison of same sex marriage to slavery disturbing, disingenuous and disrespectful. The fact that Miss Monroe is African American does not make this any less so.

Slavery was about the torment, debasement and dehumanization of African Americans. Denial of federal rights to marriage equality is specifically a civil rights issue.

While we are sympathetic to the LGBT struggle, lack of marriage equality rights on the federal level does not incorporate the brutal, inhumane and atrocious treatment that American slaves were subjected to prior to the Civil War.

Such comparisons we find are inappropriate, insensitive and does damage to any efforts aimed at creating respectful and supportive communication between the African American and LGBT communities.

Thank you and we hope to see a printed retraction in your next issue.

Sincerely,
Derrick Mathis
RENWL.org

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