Blog #10 - Alabama City Embraces HB2

Recently, North Carolina passed HB2, a law that states that transgender people must use the bathroom assigned to their biological sex. Reactions have varied throughout the nation. One of the most profound replies to the bill being passed is famous musicians cancelling concerts in North Carolina in protest. Other than this, a city called Oxford in Alabama has taken action and modeled the Tar heel state. They issued an ordinance stating, “single sex public facilities are places of increased vulnerability and present the potential for crimes against individuals utilizing those facilities which may include, but not limited to, voyeurism, exhibitionism, molestation and assault and battery.” The Oxford City Council passed this ordinance right after Target announced they would let transgender employees and customers use the bathrooms they feel comfortable with. Alabama wanted to be heard and they achieved just that. This law isn't lenient, either. Violating it could cause 6 months in jail or a whopping $500 fine. Outraged at these new rules, the Human Rights Campaign spoke out saying, "This anti-transgender law is unprecedented in its establishment of criminal penalties for violations of the law, and raises a myriad of privacy and legal concerns, including questions about how the law will be enforced." Despite varying opinions, HB2 is making its mark on America.

In my opinion, I think HB2 is just another restraint put on transgender people. A law made by people who don't know the struggles of being transgender can only lead to controversy in the name of misrepresentation. Who is going to speak up for transgenders in places like the deep south? No one. Personally, I think this bill is uncannily similar to disputes over abortion rights. Both sides have valid points, but ultimately, abortion and which bathroom to use are decisions of women and transgenders only. Why should we rely on congressmen and women to choose the fates of a demographic that is so vastly underrepresented in politics?

This relates to class because we recently talked about state rights. The 10th amendment speaks about state rights and federalism. Also, we talked about how a bill is created. First, a bill is drafted and a congressman or woman introduces it. Next, it is referred to committee (where most bills die) and it is marked up. Then, a date is set for the bill to be talked about in front of the house. Finally, both houses have to pass the bill and the President either vetoes or signs it.

Blog #9 - Obama Tries to Reconcile With Saudi Arabia

At a meeting in Riyadh with King Salman of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, President Obama tried to smooth over some rough patches that have risen over the past few years with the two countries. It isn't a secret that there has been some tension recently due to terrorist attacks, war, and many other dilemmas concerning both countries' well beings. White House officials tried to subdue the public and stress that progress was made between the two leaders, but former Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Turki Al-Faisal said there needs to be a "re-calibration of our relationship with America." He also spoke about Saudi Arabia's reliance on America stating, "how far we can go with our dependence on America, how much can we rely on steadfastness from American leadership, what is it that makes for our joint benefits to come together, these are all things that need to be re-calibrated." America and Saudi Arabia have been allies for a long time (since 1933 to be exact), and it seems that their relationship isn't ending any time soon. Some compare the two countries to an unhappy marriage; they may not like each other at the moment, but ultimately it is beneficial for them to stay together. Conflicts are to be expected when you pair an ultraconservative monarchy like Saudi Arabia with a trail-blazing fireball like America. Divorce is not in sight for these lovers quite yet.

In my opinion, dealing with superpowers like Saudi Arabia is a slippery slope. Considering some American's hostility towards the middle eastern country, I'm surprised we're still allies at all. To me, our relationship resembles that of an excited dog (America) that keeps leaving messes everywhere and a patient mother (Saudi Arabia) that has a high tolerance for mistakes. With the recent turmoil in countries surrounding Saudi Arabia, agitations have just been exacerbated. Hopefully, all the fuss will die down and both countries can be at peace with one another.

This relates to class because we are learning about the roles of the President. In this case, President Obama is exercising his powers as the Chief Diplomat. Some of the powers that encompass being Chief Diplomat are appointing ambassadors, conducting international negotiations, establishing foreign policy, serving as a national spokesperson, and traveling abroad.

Blog #8 - The Fight for a Second Glance: Women's Rights

While President Obama spoke at the newly designated Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument on Capitol Hill, he mentioned the great fight for women's rights over time. "I want young girls and boys to come here 10, 20, a hundred years from now and know that women fought for equality; it was not just given to them," he said. It isn't a secret to anyone that women are outnumbered in significant places such as congress and almost any other political position. What President Obama mentioned at this opening was just a sliver of the tragedy and oppression that women have had to fight throughout history. The leader of our country didn't skim over this issue, though. He stated that soon, the gender barrier in the White House would be broken, and children would be surprised that there wasn't a female in office for this long. Vice President Joe Biden also spoke out about the shortage of females in politics saying, "This country's ready for a woman. There's no problem. We're going to be able to elect a woman in this country."

In my opinion, women are overlooked much too often. We are just as capable as any man at accomplishing tasks that are just as challenging. It does surprise me, though, that here hasn't been a woman in the White House yet. While this generation isn't perfect, I'd like to think that the thought of a female president is something that is far from taboo in today's society. But, I can't look at the political world through rose colored lenses. While I happen to support Bernie Sanders, I think seeing Hillary Clinton in office would be nothing short of monumental. It might give women everywhere the motivation to take on whatever path they choose in life, no matter what their male peers are telling them. 

This relates to class because we are talking about congress. Issues such as women's rights usually produce an attitudinal view in congressmen and women. An attitudinal view is when a member's ideology determines his/her vote. Also, Hillary Clinton is the former Speaker of the House, which is the position directly under the Vice President. The Speaker of the House leads the House of Representatives and is 3rd in line to the presidency. 

Blog #7 - Kesha's Plea for Help Continues

In 2014, famous singer Kesha filed a lawsuit against her producer, Lukasz Gottwald (Dr. Luke), for sexual, emotional, and physical abuse. The case is still going on. In February of 2016, it was decided in the Manhattan state Supreme Court that Kesha could not be released from her contract with Sony music, which meant that she would still have to deal with her rapist if she wanted to keep her career. Justice Shirley Werner Kornreich states that Kesha has "failed to plead that any of the alleged discrimination occurred in New York State or City," and that the court has no power over the claims. It was also noted that Kesha's claims failed to prove that Gottwald's actions were hate crimes. Despite all of these roadblocks, Kesha has filed an appeal in hopes of changing the court's mind. While Gottwald has tried to persecute Kesha in the New York Superior Court for defamation and breach of contract, the California Court has sided with the singer and persuaded her to file counterclaims alleging sexual harassment, gender-based violation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

While I cannot relate personally to Kesha in this instance, I think this issue is extremely important. Rape culture and sexism have blinded the elites of today's society and therefore caused unwarranted harm and distress to victims. The fact that the court system is not trying harder to aid Kesha in this time of sorrow is an unfortunate reflection of the disregard to rape victims and women's rights in modern American society. When I think of Kesha's situation, I think of the monsters I was scared of when I was younger. Whether they lived under my bed, or resided in my closet, I was scared to death of having to face them. Imagine having to go to work everyday with those monsters. Think of the fear and anxiety that ordeal would cause. That is exactly what I think Kesha is going through at this time. Unfortunately, sexual harassment cases are extremely hard to prove and, furthermore, to win. I can only hope that Kesha will rise above this nightmare and come out even stronger.

This issue relates to class because we are talking about the judiciary and civil rights. Sexual harassment is prohibited by the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but there are almost no federal laws concerning sexual harassment and the ones that do exist are "vague and inconsistent." In this case, Kesha is the plaintiff and Lucasz Gottwald is the defendant. If the case continues, it might even become a class action suit which is a case brought by someone to help him or her and all others who are similarly situated.