In an unexpected move from what is considered to be a very conservative campus, USC's Daily Trojan encouraged students to vote "No" on Proposition 8, the California Proposition to ban same-sex marriages. 

At first, I (and I'm sure many) assumed that the headline on the website was an Op-Ed piece from one of its liberal writers. While the piece is in the Opinion section, I was incredibly surprised to discover that Prop 8 was actually being renounced by the editorial staff. The Daily Trojan cited human rights as their reason: 

The proposition’s outcome, whatever it might be, will set a precedent for how human rights are dealt with in this country — either a precedent of equality or of oppression.

In light of these implications, the Daily Trojan encourages all USC students voting in California to vote No on Proposition 8. 

The Daily Trojan also cited the legality of the Proposition, noting that if Prop 8 passes, California Constitution will not only clash with the fundamentals of of the Federal Constitution (which guarantees equality for all), but with itself as well, and encouraged students not to let this happen: 

...Prop 8 would inject permanent and discriminatory language into the state’s constitution — language that the California Supreme Court would be forced to uphold.

 

Prop 8 comes down to basic fundamental rights. If passed, the California Constitution will contradict itself and the federal Constitution, which guarantees equality for all.

 

Changing the state constitution to deny the right of same-sex couples to marry — society’s ultimate recognition of loving commitment — is a dangerous move down a slippery slope.

 

There’s a famous saying, “As goes California, so goes the nation.” And now, California’s youth vote has the opportunity to trigger the beginning of the end of one of the last remaining civil rights battles in the United States. 

I have to step in and say that I am giving a big ol' thumbs up to the Daily Trojan. Voting No on Prop 8 does not affect anyone's right to practice what they believe (despite what "Yes on 8" ads will tell you), it only allows others to have rights they've been denied for too long.

In a world already filled with inequalities, injustice, and sadness, I only hope that Californians will do our best to bring a little light into the world, and allow freedom and equality for all.

Fight on for Freedom, Trojans.