Although it is now in the newly reopened Museum of American History in Washington, this is the lunch counter from the Woolworth Store in Greensboro, North Carolina, where four African American college students sat down and politely asked for service in 1960. They were refused and asked to leave. With great dignity and determination they remained in their seats. Their actions ignited a movement to challenge racial inequality throughout the south. ENABLING BIGOTRY

Perhaps the passing of Proposition 8 in California will turn out to be a good thing. Some of my liberal friends who in a pre-prop. 8 world would never think of letting the “n” word go unchallenged were willing before the election to let offensive homophobic language and jokes pass without comment because they thought, I guess, that objection wasn’t worth the trouble. Actually, I don’t know what they were thinking then, but I know they are not willing now to let it pass. Not any more. Reasonable straight and gay citizens are no longer finding it acceptable for people to say bigoted and hateful things about gays or anyone else. That’s a good thing. If the bigots thought they could finally slap down gay men and lesbians by passing Proposition 8 and that their bigoted hurrah would silence once and for all the American citizens who believe in liberty and justice and respect for all, they were mistaken. Apparently the hornets nest hadn’t been hit until the the night of November 4th, 2008, when poll results came in and the reality of Proposition 8 was confirmed. The gay rights movement that had its start in 1969 in Greenwich Village at the Stonewall Inn got its second wind. Before the election a few rallies held in opposition to Proposition 8 were more like the old love-ins of forty years ago. They were celebrations of being. Groups of people holding hands and holding candles ambled peacefully along several city streets; but there wasn’t much of a feeling of protest in the rallies.

Now the assemblies are different. There is indignation without resignation. There is determination. There is intelligent protest that says justice must be done now. There is a coming together of gay and straight citizens to demand that all civil rights and privileges be extended to all citizens. Proposition 8 will ultimately be nullified. Contrary to the predictions and lamentations of bigots like James Dobson, America is getting better.