America was built on the shoulders of a lot of things: freedom of religion (and from religious persecution), slavery, taxation with representation (something those Tea baggers know nothing of), and standard rights associated to all white, Christian men. What America was not built on is equal rights. It is a sad, but honest, fact.

But America has changed quite a bit in our 234 years. Women can vote, we abolished slavery, all races can own property, and we are no longer mandated to be segregated. But sometimes I read things that make me realize we have not really changed that much at all.

Recently, while posting on a forum I frequent, an individual I used to respect began a discussion about a Mississippi school district that cancelled prom rather than allow for a lesbian couple to attend. Personally, I find this outrageous. The school district claimed it was for the

best interest of the Itawamba County School District, after taking into consideration the education, safety and well being of our students

Pardon me, while I go turn off my bullshit alarm. It seems to be going a little crazy. The “education, safety and well-being” of students is at risk by allowing two girls to dance together? How fragile are these students? Do you think they don’t know homosexuality exists? Will they burn in the hellfires simply for being near such a “terrible sin?” And if it is such a serious concern, why not just expel Constance Mcmillan since she is subjecting her fellow students to her lesbianism?

So, when this topic came up on this message board, I naturally assumed we would have a “wtf” rant and then let it go. But it seems the original poster was not so much outraged by the school district, but by the teen who dared expose her sexual preference. This particular poster stated that he felt if these girls were allowed to attend the prom it would “jeopardize the mental health” of the other students and that these girls should be jailed for indecency.

……

When I stated that

You don’t have to agree with it. You don’t have to accept it. You don’t have to practice it. You don’t have to like it. But you do have to give everyone equal rights. This is America. That is the least we should be doing. These people should be ashamed of themselves.

I got this lovely response back:

America was built on freedom of religion, not equal rights/etc. Those ideas came after America was already built (womens movement, desegregation).
That said it is not really that surprising that a deep south state has issues with homosexuality. In fact, everyone should, but that isn’t a discussion for this board.

Edit: In before someone says the other reason America was built, the whole taxiation without representation — which is related to the “rights” as you mentioned, but this was specifically for representation rights.

How does one even respond to this