Friday, October 04, 2013

Blog 4

In the article LGBT Rights in Africa: A Step Forward, it tells the reader that the African culture is filled with hostility. This hostility is towards the LGBT community, this culture makes its way into the social, political, and judicial realities of various countries in Africa. The African politicians use hate to sway people into voting them in. They also use religion as an excuse to do so. Some politicians even go as far as to legislate a law that could potentially put LGBT people to death. When the president of Ghana visited Kennesaw State University he stated that laws, especially on LGBT rights were controversial. President Mahama also said that it was a difficult situation, ending with the statement that, "People have a certain cultural hostility towards it, but I believe that laws must prevail." The LGBT community is ostracized and the reason for this is simply that to many Africans they are "un-African." The president of Ghana did not openly say that he supported the LGBT community, but he did in a way state that what was happening to them was unlawful. This statement should not be take lightly and could possibly have started something in condemning what is happening to those of the LGBT community. 


After reading this article the reader I believe would feel as if something had been accomplished. Even though the horrible acts being imposed on the LGBT community are not being resolved, you can see that the president thinks what is happening is wrong. Although he did not state his support for the LGBT community, one can infer that he condemns the actions being taken towards them. If the reader was against gay rights and read this article they might think that this is horrific and that such extreme actions should not be taken. Even though they do not support LGBT rights, they do not believe that such atrocities are the answer. However, someone else who is highly religious might think that this is the path that must be taken. If the reader supports the LGBT community and the fight for their rights, he/she might see that this is a path to something better, no matter how small of an impact it might have had. The reader might simply just take peace in hearing that someone of an authoritative position thinks that the punishments are too server and unlawful. This article might give someone hope that one day these laws will change and that the LGBT community will not live in fear of their lives. Even if their rights are not given, at least they will feel safe being who they are. To someone who is against this they might feel as if the punishment is too extreme, and that the LGBT community should just simply have their rights remain to be taken away.



Maria Shropshire
SOC-202-03
10/4/13 9:39 AM



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