COMMENTARY | Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern is known for hateful statements about people who are different from her, and her latest comment is no different. Just before the 10th anniversary of the attack on our country by terrorists, Kern made the claim that homosexuality is more dangerous than terrorism.
If there is anything more dangerous than terrorism, it is people who spread messages of hate, like Kern. Why does she believe it is more dangerous? She says it’s because “our young people are bombarded with messages that homosexuality is normal and natural,” according to Death and Taxes. She believes that because people hear about homosexuality more often than terrorism it is more dangerous.
Though there is no reasonable message that will get through to bigots like Kern, she and others like her obviously don’t realize people don’t suddenly become gay because it is talked about. Even if being gay was a choice, and I don’t believe for one second that it is, how can it be more dangerous than terrorism?
In Kern’s small mind, she believes that because HIV/AIDS has killed more people than terrorist attacks, it is more of a threat to our nation. Can she really be that ignorant? Is she completely blinded by the fact that HIV is not just a disease that homosexuals are afflicted with? Can we send her to Africa, where 10 percent of the entire population is infected? People who are so close-minded, however, will likely never listen to anything other than ignorant messages they believe.
Hate speech such as Kern’s is what is tearing apart the moral fiber of America. People like this should not be elected officials, and she and other politicians like her need to be removed from office.
Hateful words have inspired many to commit violent acts, and not just against gays. In Norway, Anders Behring Breivik went on a massive shooting rampage killing dozens of people all because of his anti-Islamic views. It was later discovered that there was a connection to the hateful views spread by American Tea Party member Pamela Geller.
As Americans, we need to let our politicians know that hate speech will not be tolerated. Kern needs to be removed from office. As U.S. citizens we should all take responsibility for continuing to allow this to happen. If you agree, spread the word; stop messages of hate. Tell Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin this is unacceptable.