Guest Editorial: Of pride and prejudice in Hamtramck
By Russ Gordon
The mayor’s and city council’s arguments supporting Hamtramck’s new restrictive flag resolution are obfuscations.
In a heated council debate recently, they claimed that the Pride flag (one of 18 flags flown each year on Joseph Campau that represent our community) was selected without a quorum of the Human Relations Commission present, and that some were not flags of nations.
Also, that the original ordinance, which I negotiated with the city council in 2013 for the Joseph Campau flag project, required some clarification. Therefore, the City Council enacted a resolution that stipulates all flags flown on city property will represent nations, with a few exceptions, such as the State of Michigan, etc.
However, the elephant in the room, the inspiration for the resolution that was introduced and passed last week that everyone knows and can see but is unwilling to talk about: The belief that homosexuality is a sin.
A sin in some religions, but a reality of the human experience.
When a person is attracted to someone of the same sex, a religious tenet can generate guilt and emotional trauma. But to legislate based on our religious beliefs is highly inappropriate, counterproductive, and unconstitutional.
For many years, except for a celebrated few, most gay folks would attempt to conceal their true nature. Many states had draconian laws that forced them to maintain an unnatural heterosexual façade or risk prosecution.
Fifty-plus years ago, with a great deal of courage, many gay people started “coming out.” Some lost friends and family. Others lost their jobs.
But, over decades, the tide started turning. In recent years legislative protections have been enacted and attitudes are beginning to change. Straight/Gay friendships, once rare, are now commonplace. And more straight people are recognizing that gay folks, like the rest of us, work, play, and vote.
From a very long history of shame and guilt has emerged pride … and that’s what this is all about. We can’t let those who fear and resent these gains tear down the flag.
(Russ Gordon is the Chairman of the Hamtramck Human Relations Commission.)
Posted June 30, 2023
One Response to Guest Editorial: Of pride and prejudice in Hamtramck
Leave a Reply
Mark Koroi
July 4, 2023 at 4:26 pm
Russ:
The flag project was one of the few “accomplishments” the Human Rights Commission had after Bill Meyer left the group.
The truth is that the progressive community in the City of Hamtramck fought against racism and unfair treatment of Muslim and Arab minorities in the city – but these community groups do not want to reciprocate due to their religious beliefs – in fact, many conservative Catholics residing within the city feel the same way.
When mayor Karen Majewski lost in her 2021 re-election bid I cited her public support of the Pride Flag as one of the factors in her resounding electoral loss.
Pot smoking has become an integral and largely accepted part of American society – and a darling issue of progressives – but it does not mean we should unfurl and salute any of the marijuana-themed flags that have flown at Hash Bash in Ann Arbor. Likewise, expecting Hamtramck residents to publicly embrace and promote what is perceived as sinful conduct is too much for most residents to swallow.
The ACLU may pipe in the matter and the U.S. Supreme Court has heard and decided flag issues before – so there may eventually be a court decision on the matter – but do not expect the Mayor or City Council to support this losing gambit.