So this is what “disenfranchised” feels like
Re: Public Comments Encouraged on Proposal to Reauthorize Knights of Columbus’ Special Use Permit
Dear Project Leader,
This is a comment regarding the special Jesus Shrine permit. You have requested comment on whether to renew the lease.
Obviously, the answer is no.
It’s not about tradition. The truly historic aspect of this shrine is that it is a historic violation. Shall we “historically” allow only white male landowners to vote? Of course not! A long tradition of black slavery helped build this great country. Does that make slavery OK? It was tradition, but it was not fair, and eventually it was stopped.
Am I comparing a federally approved Jesus shrine to slavery? Historically speaking, this is not silly. Government endorsement of religion is explicitly forbidden in the Bill of Rights, while slavery was legal and women had no rights until the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments were added–about 75 years later. That’s nearly three generations! So, yes. Not only am I comparing the Jesus Shrine to slavery, I am saying that historically speaking, it is considerably worse than slavery. The rights of women don’t even come close.
We may historically have been oppressors, but even us white male landowners didn’t like to be told how to pray.
It’s not about tradition, it’s about equality. Please consider treating all Americans as equal members of society.
Thank you for your consideration
PS – In your own invitation for comment, you defend the shrine as “historical.” Your department’s position on this issue is already clear, and I assume you stopped reading at “the answer is no.” So this is what “disenfranchised” feels like!
(Still waiting for email confirmation of delivery. Good old .us.gov.)
