A Question About the Future

This question is about your outlook for the future.

The blanket term 'social justice' doesn't seem to quite fit right here, but it'll have to do.

Sometimes, when I see progress and signs of acceptance of people who have historically not been embraced or even acknowledged by mainstream society, ie. people of color, people who have immigrated, people with disabilities, lgbtq people, etc., it's possible to feel momentarily quite optimistic.  I was at Geek Girl Con and it seemed that a real effort was made at inclusion—everything could be BETTER, but it does feel sometimes that more voices are being heard, and that it's moving,  perhaps glacially, but still moving, in a good direction.

I realize gay marriage, for example, isn't going to end all inequity regarding gay relationships in America, but the choice is important for many and it does feel like that tide is slowly turning.

But I'm a cisgendered white female. There are few restrictions placed on my freedoms. The only crap I am forced to deal with daily all relate to gender issues.

And at other times, it seems like we're going backwards…it seems that lgbtq people are vilified and demonized with less reluctance by politicians. Hipsters use racist humor under the guise of irony, but it doesn't FEEL like irony. National movements like the Tea Party seem hellbent on re-asserting the power of the straight white male and have tried to imbue that goal with misguided patriotism.

There are lots of examples, you know the examples.

My question is…do you have hope for the future on these social issues? Do you think we will overcome them in our lifetimes?  Why, or why not, do you suppose?