This is my opinion.

Dear the World,

By now you all should know what has happened. But if not, here it is: Prop 8, or the Ban on Gay Marriage, was passed three days ago by 52% of California's populace. To say that I am disappointed is an understatement-- I am, instead, appalled that such a discriminatory and unfair act was passed. I understand people's right to an opinion, and their right to express it as such in a vote, but I cannot help but be hurt.

Being only 17, and a few short months too young to vote, and yet old enough to know what is going on, is painful. Not being able to take part in the political process that directly affects me and the world I live in makes me angry. I won't lie and say I am not disappointed, am not deeply hurt by the results of such a historic attempt at equality.

While the rest of the country rejoiced at the election of the first black candidate to the Presidency-- a huge step towards equality-- we in California were instead given a bittersweet taste of democracy, and I was reminded how painfully cruel people can be towards one another. One friend of mine stayed up late to watch the final votes being counted, and after the final tally was given of 52% passing to 48% opposing, I could not help but think that it was a bit like watching someone die.

That such a place should so exist, where a giant step forward has just been taken, and capacity for change has proved not only possible but real, and yet in other ways to be proved to live in the past, and have rights taken away not by invaders, dictators, armies, nor revolutionaries of any sort, but by fellow citizens, deals the strongest blow to my faith in democracy and sense of fairness that is yet unrivaled.

Equality should not be a question, but rather an answer to the problems we face; tolerance should not just be a word we say, but the way we act everyday.

However, the results of this election give me hope. In the past, when a similar law was proposed, it was passed with a paltry ~32% opposing. That so many people have since come together to vote against it-- and to make it as close as it was-- reminds me that change may happen slowly, but happen it always does. To give in for anything less than what we, as citizens and humans, deserve, would disappoint me more than the approval of this law has. In a few more years there may be another law, another chance to change the world.

I can only hope that we'll take it.

~Ariel