Equality for All

I am extremely saddened to learn that Californians voted ‘yes’ on Proposition 8
to re-ban same-sex marriages, after a judge already ruled that the ban was
unconstitutional. It is one of first times that Americans have voted to take
away an existing right from a group of people. President-elect Obama’s historic
win which overcame decades of discrimination against African Americans was
bittersweet because other groups are still being actively discriminated against
in this county. I find the decision to re-ban same-sex marriages in direct
conflict with Thomas Jefferson’s words in The Declaration of Independence, “We
hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Equality is the sentiment our
country was founded on, and one we should strive to uphold.