You're a great actor but your're Wrong Sean...

Dear Mr. Penn,

First let me congratulate you for capturing the Best Actor Award at the 81st Academy Awards. Time and time again you’ve proven that you are one of this era’s finest actors. Your past, present (and no doubt) future successes are validation to your incredible talent, and your willingness to take risks as you illuminate the big screen.

I do however want to take this opportunity to take issue with you on your provocative choice of words in your acceptance speech. In my opinion, support for Proposition 8 is not about hate, it is about the freedom of choice. The truth of the matter is even without Proposition 8, thanks to years of advocacy, many same sex couples already enjoy the benefits of heterosexual, married couples -- it appears that trend will continue. If that is the case, then the real issue must be one of acceptance – or the fact that same sex advocates want acceptance of their lifestyle choices.

For many years same-sex advocates have tried to redefine the term tolerance and impose their views upon society. In case you are unaware Mr. Penn, the definition of tolerance is as follows:

Permissiveness: a disposition to allow freedom of choice and behavior.
The act of tolerating something.
A willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of others.
Nowhere in that definition does the term acceptance appear. However it appears that in the view of the anti-Proposition 8 crowd, it is imperative that this definition be changed to validate their particular point of view.

As an African-American, I personally am offended whenever the issue of same-sex marriage is dovetailed with the historical significance of the Civil Rights Movement. I wake up every morning and look upon features that I am unable to change (not that I would want to for a moment). Those features define me and identify me to society. Yet, there are countless well-documented cases of previous homosexuals who have decided that they no longer want to engage in the lifestyle and choose to be heterosexual. Their decision is tantamount to me one day choosing to be Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, or any other ethnic group. I am sure an intelligent and socially-responsible individual like you can see the difference between those examples. Many African Americans marched and died in places like Selma and Birmingham because of the color of their skin – something that they could not alter by simply changing their minds.

Inflammatory rhetoric such as yours does nothing to create understanding or sympathy, but instead seeks to provoke deep-seeded emotions that ironically often do result in hateful behavior. Many times it seems that those who advocate “tolerance” appear to be the most intolerant.

In my opinion in addition to providing an escape from the often harsh realities of life, Hollywood also has the ability to inspire, educate, and in special cases, to bring people together. Your acceptance speech gives indication that you are well aware of leverage your celebrity has to influence others.

However, the fact that you are royalty in Tinsel town does not elevate your point of view above others who do not currently, and in all likelihood will never appear on the silver screen. Millions of the so-called "silent majority" who support your right to free speech, also understand the definition of Marriage to be between one man and one woman. In fact many of those people live in the state of California and have spoken in democratic fashion. Yet you and the rest of the anti-Proposition 8 advocates choose to disrespect that process, and in turn disrespect their freedom of choice -- because you disagree. I pose a rhetorical question to you -- in addition to recognition of your craft, does receiving the Oscar also provide you with the right to disregard the will of a majority of the people and override our nation's democratic foundation of more than 230 years?

No rational person endorses hatred in any form. All people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, creed, religion, or sexual persuasion. However, in my opinion, neither is any person or group entitled to override the foundation of democracy that made this nation great because they disagree with its norms and statutes.

If true discrimination exists, then we must root it out and eradicate it wherever and whenever it occurs. However in doing so we must be very careful not to label disagreement, freedom of choice, and personal preference as discrimination or hateful behavior. When that happens we lose sight of the very principles you attempt to stand up for. You have been given great privilege and with it greater responsibility. I believe it is your responsibility to understand the difference between tolerance and acceptance, between disagreement and hatred and use your platform circumspectly. Speak out if you must, our constitution affords you that right. You are entitled to use your moment of professional validation to wax provocatively about your beliefs. However, please provide the same dignity and respect that you speak of to those who do not share your beliefs. A refusal to accept a point of view does not equate to hate.


Respectfully,

Larry