This Sunday’s Oscars were the best ever, and it wasn’t because of Hugh Jackman’s chiseled jaw line (or the fact that Anne Hathaway didn’t win shit). These Oscars were great because of this.

I am fully aware what a sour taste these speeches left in some people’s mouths. Some hate the idea of using the Oscars as a political soap box, and I can appreciate that point of view. I am also aware how many disapprove of how Sean Penn continues to act like the moral compass of Hollywood, as if the political opinion of famous actor is somehow more relevant than that of a lay person. “I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me. Often.” You’re right about that, Sean. You frequently do make it that way, and I’m someone who usually agrees with you (and loves your acting, for that matter).

But, what Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn said last night needed to be said.

Oscars or not.

America has been seriously embroiled in the gay marriage debate for about a decade now (many gay Americans would say even longer, I’ll bet), and we are reaching a watershed moment. Judges tell us gay marriage should be legal, voters tell us (in decreasing margins) that it shouldn’t be. It’s a matter that divides churches, divides political parties, and sadly, it divides families. In fact, I learned from a friend of mine that one his friends from his hometown decided to come out to his parents after watching the speech. How they took it, I don’t know.

As much as it might offend some, I have to agree with Sean Penn: Our grandchildren will be ashamed of us if we continue down the path we have been taking. We will be remembered as a generation that, despite electing the first black man to the presidency, continued to segregate and oppress and deny people basic human liberty because they are different from the norm. We will be seen in the same light as the segregationists and xenophobes of another age. You may think I am wrong. You may think that what I have just said is offensive and vitriolic. You may hate being lumped together with the KKK and all the images that accompany a different period of segregation. You may think that gay marriage is just plain wrong. And frankly, I would like nothing more than to have this debate with you (though I wish it didn’t have to be through the comments section). But, in 50 years, we will have to explain to your grandchildren why we thought it was right to stop those who love each other from expressing that love, whether in the ceremony of marriage, or the sharing of property, or the decision to end their partner’s life with dignity. We will have to explain why we thought it was better to let thousands of children grow up in group homes and with abusive foster parents rather than in an environment of support and love, just because their would be two fathers or two mothers in that loving, supportive household. We will be praised for what we have accomplished, but we will also be shamed for the injustice we let continue.

In 50 years (and I hope it only takes that long) those who despised Sean Penn’s speech last night will be the minority, and Harvey Milk will no longer only be a hero to the gay community, but to the human community.

I invite everyone to take some time to think about what you believe, why you believe it, and how you will answer future generations when they ask you what and why this generation believed.