Recognizing Marriage

I no longer recognize marriage. It's a new thing I'm trying.

Turns out it's fun.

Yesterday I called a woman's spouse her boyfriend.

She says, correcting me, "He's my husband,"
"Oh," I say, "I no longer recognize marriage."

The impact is obvious. I tried it on a man who has been in a relationship for years,

"How's your longtime companion, Jill?"
"She's my wife!"
"Yeah, well, my beliefs don't recognize marriage."

Fun. And instant, eyebrow-raising recognition. Suddenly the majority gets to feel what the minority feels. In a moment they feel what it's like to have their relationship downgraded, and to have a much taken-for-granted right called into question because of another's beliefs.

[excerpt by Tom Ackerman, "I Don't Recognize Your Union: A Marriage Manifesto", Huffington Post, 17 November 2008.]

Posted on November 18, 2008 at 23.35 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Common-Place Book, Faaabulosity

2 Responses

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  1. Written by Melanie
    on Thursday, 20 November 2008 at 13.30
    Permalink

    I am sooooo doing this from now on. it'll so make people angry here in Tennessee!

  2. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Friday, 21 November 2008 at 05.00
    Permalink

    There is much to be learned from walking a mile in someone else's shoes.

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