On Dec. 5, 1933, 80 years ago, something spectacular happened that college students across the country continue to celebrate – the passing of the 21st Amendment. This repealed the 18th and ended Prohibition in the U.S.
First, a slight history lesson is in order.
The 18th Amendment stemmed from the temperance movement. This was a movement to curb the consumption of alcohol. In 1893, Rev. Howard Hyde Russell founded the Anti-Saloon League, which aimed to mobilize its religious coalition to pass state and local legislation. This is part of the reasons there are still dry counties today where alcohol is not sold.
By the late 19th century, Protestant denominations and the American Catholic Church largely supported the temperance movement. They believed the consumption of alcohol led to corruption, prostitution, spousal abuse and other detestable activities.
The movement saw its largest victory after World War I and used an energized anti-German sentiment to help convince lawmakers to pass the 18th Amendment on Dec. 18, 1917, becoming effective Jan. 16, 1920.
While most of us will remember from history class that Prohibition outlawed the manufacturing, sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages, it did not prohibit the consumption of alcohol.
The passage of the 21st Amendment was more than just a victory for alcohol and the enjoyment of consuming it in a responsible fashion. In reality, the 21st Amendment was a bold stand against the influence of Biblical laws in America.
The 18th Amendment was a valiant effort, yet its failure is just an example of how someone’s idea of morality cannot be placed on another. Prohibition strengthened crime syndicates and the Mafia as underground saloons and speakeasies popped up across the country.
By this point, we understand that when something is outlawed, like marijuana or even gay marriage, a black market will appear. It is inevitable. Using religion – regardless of its origins – to prohibit certain activates is morally wrong.
Take for instance gay marriage. Its biggest hurdle is the religious right. To think of it as anything but a religious issue is naïve.
“When you say it’s not a man and a woman anymore, then why not have three men and one woman, or four women and one man, or why not somebody who has a love for an animal?” said Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert on marriage equality.
While there are no constitutional amendments in place to prohibit gay marriage, that hasn’t stopped lawmakers and politicians from discussing the possibility. Even states have passed their own prohibitions on the issue, while others have made laws protecting it.
Just like prohibition in the 1920s, outlawing something has economic consequences as well. The Mafia gained a lot of power and wealth during prohibition, as they became the makers, sellers and transporters of alcohol.
Gay marriage has a similar effect. As gay marriage becomes increasingly acceptable across the nation, states that allow it will be able to draw from a larger talent pool of workers who can boost the economy.
Legalizing gay marriage will become an economic issue and the states will realize their necessity to pass laws protecting it. Michigan is one of the hardest hit states economy since the Great Recession. The state’s arrogance against legalizing gay marriage can only hinder our long-term economic recovery.
Until that happens, drink up.