老美看美國：如果法律保障了平等權，為何還要特權？

文/ 他爹    翻譯/他娘

2012年1月11日星期三

美國憲法是一份精彩的文件。它保障我們所有的人在“法律面前人人平等”，並實行“沒有一個州可以剝奪一個公民的生命，自由和財產權”這樣的法律。

偉大的字眼。偉大的構想。但他們也還是繼原始憲法發布近100年後1868年頒布的憲法第14修正案的一部分 。顯而易見，需要一段時間才能使法律在其目的和意圖，以及其實施時正確無誤。

社會和文化會隨時間變化。個人的看法及對與錯的的觀點也會變化。過去有時候，我們已經看到，法律對 “大多數”或強大的群體，在我國歷史上的意思是“白人”來說是“公平的”。發生在1868年的憲法第14修正案不是偶然的。這是我國南北內戰結束後，很多是關於奴隸制，自由或奴役黑人的。但是，即使制定後，在民權運動前仍然花了100年使那些權利變成事實。法律已經定了一個世紀 --但仍然有賴於數以百萬計的人民和一個總統命令國民警衛隊在南部城市執行那些已經根據“憲法”保障的權利。

所有這一切讓我認識到一群人或一個階級的人的特權和法律。為何需要特權？憲法保障了我們大家享有同樣平等的權利。如果憲法得以實行，我們又為何需要特權？

這是一個棘手的問題，但答案很簡單。我們需要給某些群體特權，因為“多數人暴政”的文化和傳統，可以不給某些群體平等權利。

目前呼籲平等的最大組織是美國同性戀組織。直到最近以前，同性戀不能在軍隊服役，也不能告訴別人他們是同性戀。在憲法中沒有任何地方說不允許同性戀人群服務於這個國家的軍隊。那麼，為什麼須得國會的行動和總統的壓力，才能推翻這一政策？因為同性戀是一個棄兒，一個可恥的人，他們可能會導致軍隊動亂。無論這些數以以百萬計的同性戀人，在過去的200年曾服務過這個國家 - 他們只是服役而從來不提“同性戀”一事。

因此，我們為何需要“特殊的法律”來執行“特權”呢？ 這些權利在我的眼裡並不特殊。憲法指出我們都被保障擁有幸福和自由的權利。我們又有何必要實施一個新的法律來保證我們早已經在憲法裡保障的權利呢？有一些特殊群體很有勢力，他們不能容忍其他人的文化，信仰，和生活方式的存在，即使這些信仰和生活方式對他們沒有一點影響。他們只是不喜歡。僅此而已，非常簡單。

還是不久前，在這個國家，婦女甚至不能投票。他們只是他們丈夫和家庭的財產。

也是不久前，在這個國家，有這樣的法律禁止我娶我的太太。因為我是白人，她是華人。

還是不久前，在這個國家，一個人可以把擁有另一個人，把他當做自己的財產。你可以殺死你的奴隸，而沒有任何後果。你可以想象到的到，擁有殺害其他人的權勢而不需面臨任何後果的嗎？ 我不這樣認為。

但是，那就是法律。

因此，雖然美國憲法是一部偉大的文件，但是也有缺陷。那些缺陷被發現了，並用修正案進行了改進。當修正案無法改正社會的行為時，為特權而設的特殊法律就必須執行以反映文化，道德的變化。這樣，所有的人都可以享受被憲法保障的“生命，自由和追求幸福”的權利。

某些不能為其他人的權利起而戰鬥的人某一天也將失去自己的權利。

歐洲有一個古老的故事，涉及到這種類型的思想。故事來自德國納粹黨崛起期間有系統地殺害數以百萬計的和“不喜歡的群體，比如同性戀人，有色人種，和吉普賽人”人。那就是：

當他們來抓捕山上下來的有色人種的時候，我站在一旁

當他們來抓捕那些流浪在一個個城鎮之間的吉普賽人時，我站在一旁

當她們來抓那些語言不通，生活習慣不同的人時，我站在一旁

當她們來抓我時，他們抓住了我，因為已經沒有人剩下與我站在一起。

所以，作為公民，我們必須小心保護其他在我們中間的他人的權利，甚至當他們與我們意見相左的時候。甚至與我們長相相異，或者生活習慣不同，或者信仰不同的宗教。

因為某一天，下一個就會是你。

（原文）

IF THE LAW GUARANTEES EQUAL RIGHTS

THEN WHY DO WE NEED

SPECIAL RIGHTS

By Tadie

The U.S. Constitution is a wonderful document. It assures all of us “equal protection under the law” and that “no state shall deprive a citizen of life, liberty or property” or enact such a law.

Great words. Great concept. But they are also part of the 14^th amendment to the Constitution which was enacted in 1868 – nearly 100 years after the original. So, it’s obvious it can sometimes take a while to make the law “right” in its purpose and intent as well as its implementation.

Society and cultures change over time. So do personal views and the vision of what is right or wrong. And sometimes, in the past, we have seen that the law was only fair to the “majority” or the powerful – which in our history meant “white people”. It’s no accident that the 14^th Amendment to the Constitution happened in 1868. This was just after the conclusion of our civil war between the North and the South and was much about slavery and the freedom or servitude of blacks. But, even after it’s enactment it still took another 100 years before it came to a CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT for those rights to be actually a right. The law had been in place for a century – but it took millions of people and a President to order National Guard Troops into cities in the south to enforce those rights that were already guaranteed under the Constitution.

All of this brings me to the point of special rights or laws for the rights of a group or class of people to be realized. Why are special rights needed? The Constitution guarantees all of us the same EQUAL RIGHTS. So, if the Constitution is enforced then why would we need special rights at all?

It’s a difficult question but the answer is easy. We need special rights for some groups because the “tyranny of the majority” and culture and tradition can withhold those equal rights from certain groups.

The number one group now that is appealing for equality is the Gay people of America. Until recently a gay person couldn’t serve in the military and tell others they were gay. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say or state that gay people are disallowed from service in this countries military. So, why does it take an act of Congress and pressure from the President to overturn this policy ? Because being gay was to be an outcast, a shameful person who could cause disruption in the military unit. No matter that perhaps millions of gay people had served our country for the past 200 years – they just served without mentioning their “gayness”.

So, again, why do we need “special laws” to enforce “special rights”? The rights aren’t special in my opinon – the Constititution states that we are all guaranteed the right to happiness and liberty. So, why then must we enact new laws to enforce what is guaranteed already under  the Constitituion? Because there are segments of society that are powerful that are intolerant to the culture and beliefs and lifestyles of others even those beliefs and lifestyles don’t effect them in any way. They just don’t like it. It’s that simple.

It wasn’t so long ago in this country that women couldn’t even vote in this country. They were essentially the property of their husband or family.

It wasn’t so long ago in this country that laws existed that would not have let me marry my wife ! Because I am white and she is Chinese.

It wasn’t so long ago in this country that one human could own another as a piece of property. You could kill your slave if you wishes with no consequence. Can any of you imagine having the power to kill another person and not face serious consequences? I don’t think so.

But, it was the law.

So, while the U.S. Constitution is a wonderful document it also has flaws, and those flaws are revealed and corrected by the amendments to them. And when those Amendments fail to correct the behavior of society then “special laws” for “special rights” must be enacted to reflect the change in culture, morality even, so that all people can enjoy the guarantee of “life, liberty and pursuit of happiness” that is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Failure of some people to stand up for the rights of others or run the risk of losing their rights someday.

There is an old story from Europe that relates to this type of thought. It came from Germany during the rise of the Nazi party and the systematic killing of millions of people of “non desirable groups like Jews, gay people, colored people, and gypsies”.  Here it is:

   When they came for the people of color from the mountains - I stood by.

   When they came for the Gypsies that travelled from town to town -  I stood by.

   When they came for  those who spoke differently or lived differently -  I stood by.

   When they came for me – they took me, there was no one left to stand with me.

So, as a citizen we must always be careful of insuring the rights of those amongst us – even when we don’t agree with them. Even when they look different than us or when their beliefs are different than us or they worship a different God or no God at all.

Someday, it could be you.