Distinctions drawn

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"I don't care what they say; there is no correlation between gay rights and civil rights in terms of what Black Americans have gone through." These were the poignant words of Emma White, an 82 year-old African-American woman, speaking at a forum held by Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry in Jackson, Miss.

In the midst of sharing her opinion, Miss White articulated the feelings of many African-Americans who are opposed to leaders in the homosexual rights movement invoking comparisons to the civil rights movement. This opposition among African-Americans cuts across partisan lines with members of the Congressional Black Caucus speaking out recently as well as African-American conservatives expressing a similar displeasure. But the consensus is Miss White of Mississippi was right in her assessment of the issue.

As many have stated in their opposition, the civil rights movement and the issues that fostered the need for such a movement are unique and cannot be compared to the battle for homosexual rights. When looking at the context of the movement it is important to note the basic thrust of the movement was to secure the rights denied to African-Americans since our forced arrival in the Colonies in the early 17th century.

For nearly 400 years, African-Americans were dehumanized in policy and practice and unable to enjoy the basic rights that were afforded to other Americans -- the right to vote, the right to receive a quality education, equal rights in employment and housing just to name a few.

The birth of African-American babies in this era were bittersweet moments, because their skin color immediately sentenced the children to lives marred by discrimination and prejudice and a future in the hands of those who felt that color somehow limited the ability to think or function.

They then were subject to segregation in life and schooling that would follow them throughout life. Then upon reaching age of 18, they would be unable to vote, and their educational options would be even more limited since many schools still would see their skin color as a barrier to admission.

The discrimination and prejudice would continue as the young people then sought gainful employment, limited to labor-oriented occupations with no benefits to speak of.

As if this wasn't enough, every day they heard taunts of "boy" and the N-word and saw capitalism's dark side, where business owners accepted their green money but made them sit in the back of the bus or theater because of their black skin.

Such was the historic journey of African-Americans that led to the movement over several decades to improve their lives and seek equality with other Americans.

Another key contrast is that while it was clear that on the whole African-Americans were the key beneficiaries of the civil rights movement and the legislation it spawned on the federal, state and local levels, the movement proved beneficial to all Americans -- which was the goal. The civil rights movement spawned changes in employment laws that benefited women and other minorities. That also was true of the struggle for equal educational opportunities that opened doors for all.

The homosexual rights movement is not the same in this regard because it focuses on securing rights for one group of Americans. It is not a civil rights movement but rather a special rights movement to secure rights for those who have chosen to be defined by their sexual preference.

As Rep. Artur Davis, Alabama Democrat, said, "The civil rights movement was more of a movement for the equal rights of all Americans: education, voting rights, jobs." The civil rights movement to which homosexual rights leaders (and like-minded lawmakers) compare their efforts sought to benefit all who, because of undeniable aspects of their being -- race, color, creed and sex -- were mistreated and discriminated against.

Thanks to the words of a concerned citizen in Mississippi, the nation was made aware of a glaring flaw in the comparison of the homosexual rights movement to the civil rights movement. A special thanks goes to Miss Emma White of Mississippi for her courage in standing up to a presidential candidate and speaking for thousands of African-Americans across the country.

Alvin Williams is president and chief executive officer of Black America's Political Action Committee.