Why did Blacks vote for Prop 8?

70% of Black Americans voted for Prop 8 in California, as did 53% of Latinos. Many are asking with incredulity “How could this happen? How could people who were discriminated against now be discriminating in the same way?” Some point to the religious dedication of many in the Black and Latino communities. Others say it’s just too soon and it will take time. What I haven’t heard the media comment on is the most obvious reason–Blacks don’t see sexual orientation and racial composition as the same type of thing.

Blacks are born with dark skin. They’re not Black because they decided it’s cool to be Black, or because they feel drawn to being Black. They’re Black because their skin is dark. They were discriminated against not because of the content of their minds or the quality of their character, but because of the color of their skin. Born with that skin, they are not capable of changing it (with the exception of Michael Jackson). In fighting for equal rights, they were fighting to receive the rights already expressly guaranteed to all citizens in the Constitution.

People are not born gay anymore than people are born fat. People get fat because they choose to eat more calories than they burn, and people are gay because they choose that lifestyle. Some people, like me, are disposed to eat Ben & Jerry’s all day while others eat reasonable portions of healthful foods. In my case, it takes an overwhelming amount of self-control to eat right and exercise, while I have friends for whom it takes virtually no effort to stay in shape. Some people appear to be drawn to others of the same sex while others don’t feel any such temptation. Perhaps these feelings can be motivated by genetics. But nobody forces me to eat ice cream, and nobody is forced to be gay.

If those who wish to redefine what the word “marriage” means want to attract Blacks and Latinos, they shouldn’t compare their movement to the Civil Rights movement. They may be shooting themselves in the foot by making a comparison that is logically challenging, and which can come across as offensive.