I am still trying to get used to this whole thing but I figured I should get started by writing something. So, today for my very first blog, I am going to talk about something that I saw in the Toronto Star today that just really disturbed me. The headline was “Lesbians attacked outside school.” The article talks about a lesbian couple was waiting outside to pick up their six-year-old son after school and was both verbally and physically attacked by another parent who was male. They said it was not the first time he had verbally assaulted them but they had never been physically attacked by him. The worst part is that they never did anything to harm the man. His only motivation was their lifestyle choice…
What I want to know is how as a society, we can pride ourselves on being tolerant if as individuals we consistently discriminate against others. Whether it is because of race, gender, mental and physical disabilities, or sexuality; we still discriminate. There are varying degrees of stereotyping, discrimination, I suppose. In today’s society, the vast majority judges others almost subconsciously and is unfortunate seemingly human nature. We secretly are prejudiced; however, with a little open-mindedness these feelings can be overcome. They say you cannot hate someone’s story that you know. This is so true but I think people have a problem getting over the exterior and prejudices. The problem with our subconscious judging is not in the thoughts themselves (even though they start the problem) but in the actions that follow. Many people do not act on their intolerant thoughts and feeling but some people are so consumed in the negativity and close-mindedness they created that they act, sometimes in small seemingly insignificant ways, others are extreme. However, these thoughts are only feelings; they are not rational to any extent. There is not possible explanation for discrimination based on stereotyping or a past experience with another person. People who act on these feelings are juvenile. However, even though with the huge waves of civil rights and equality movements, people still act impulse and as a result, people are hurt. People who do not deserve to be hurt because they did nothing wrong and were targeted because of their heritage or lifestyle.
On remembrance day, we remember those who fought for our country. We remember those who fought for the freedoms, social liberties, and securities that we have today. In the 90 years since the end of the first World Ware, we have come a long way in terms of equality and freedoms. However, how is it that we still target people who might be a certain race, gender, or made a different lifestyle choice than you? How is it that you feel that they do not deserve the same rights as you? People fought for our peace and yet we are still fighting wars, across not only the world but also right here close to home. We are fighting small battles about equality, freedom, and fair treatment. We are teaching others tolerance, open-mindedness and respect. Why is it after all these years, people cannot get over that everyone is unique and human, and do not deserve to be targeted by ‘hate crimes’ and discrimination. Just something to think about!
Here is a link to the article…
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/534469
Well we all know that lesbians caused world hunger, famine, and create fansites to awful boybands.
~ *~
Disclaimer: For those of you who can't tell, that was an attempt at humor and a way of saying "I agree" without including the words "I agree".
May your camel only spit dates.
at first i thought it was students who had been attacked. i hope the hate doesn't pass along to the future adults ...
the worse part is, this guy was probably one of those 'good Christians' who couldn't stand lesbians possibly wrubbing off on his kid. As if their lifestyle was in any way, shape or form worse than some one who would say assault two women in front of a six year old.
"when you hold a pen, you are at war" Attributed to Voltaire
Now see, I find comments like that discriminatory.
A real, practicing Christian does not condone acts of hatred like that--it's actually not biblical. Generally people like that are just hateful bigots using religion to justify their own inherent prejudices. They are not truly Christian in any sense and I'm tired of people judging all of Christianity by the acts of people that aren't even truly following it.
I understand why you would feel that way, but I really feel that this needs to be straightened out. C
by saying "one of those." He didn't say, "All Christians."
And certainly, this type of Christian exists. My father is one. He is a (self) righteous, stubborn, abusive, intolerant asshole, who absolutely would beat me and my partner if he ever had to spend time with us. But he DOES go to church every Sunday, and he does preach about my sinfulness every chance he gets. Nevermind that he is filled with hate and fear and violence. He's the one who will get saved.
I believe that is the type of person to which jwc jr. was referring.
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
my comment seemed to be insulting to any group. I was not saying that all -or even most- Christians behave in this manner. As someone who has been involved in church artivities all of his life, I am well aware that most Christians are in fact decent people who would not behave in this manner.
This is why I put "good Christian" in qoutes. In his eyes, he probably is one. The rest of us hopefully know beter.
"How can we win where fools can be kings" Muse
was a complaint about the mentality of those people who think that hate can be a characteristic of a good Christian
"How can we win where fools can be kings" Muse
I'm sorry I misinterpreted that and overreacted. I feel that it's a prevalent stereotype and a gross misrepresentation--people like that should have nothing to do with Christianity.
people like that should have nothing to do with Christianity.
I mean, its not like violence against gay and lesbian people (well, gay men, anyway) isn't spelled out pretty plainly in the bible.
I have known a great many otherwise rational and peaceful christian people who became extremely agitated (at least) and even violent (more often that you would like to think) when they found out that I was an openly gay man. In our mostly christian socienty, gay and lesbian people face one of the highest rates of identity-motivated violence. And like it or not, that attitude very often has its roots in the religious intolerance that seems to me to be a very real part of christian theology.
TTFN,
Blackout
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Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake!
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Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
was that violence is at odds with Christ's vision of a peaceful people who loved their neighbors. Not once in the New Testement (to my knowledge) are homosexuals mentioned.
"what kind of world would it be if we settled for being human"
Fred Friendly
...all of the major denominations of christianity still teach that the old testament is the
"word of god," too. I am disinclined to accept christian denials of support for discrimination and violence against gay people while they wave around a book that says, quite plainly, that gay people should be killed.
TTFN,
Blackout
---
Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake!
---
Check out Progressive PRIDE, a Gay-Straight Alliance for the Progressive U community.
That is horrible. it is true that people are innately prejudice, but that does not mean they should discriminate.
We should never be allowed to judge an individual based on a stereotype, let the stereotyping be reserved for after you know the individual.
The main problem with individuals who get stuck or mixed up inside the head is, they cannot relate anymore!
Because things around (their personal reality) change to fast they get lost in confusion, as in narrow minded and many more other things!
Some people remain quite OK in the brain, while others build up amounts of frustration which they (need) to vent upon what they regard as the source of their suffering, meaning: they are delusional individuals which are to be found on any street corner!
This will get worse because of the GAP between two extremes which is going to grow even wider in time to come.
We are ALL living in an extremely interesting time, the good news is that things will become much better, like really good in a reasonable time to come.
The best way to go around and about these zombies, is too learn to recognize them when they are around.
Get smart is the message, let go of the river shore and let oneself be carried with the flow of the river…people who kick around create turmoil, it’s important to avoid it, one can witness it, but to mix up with it, is BAD!
Everyone is getting confused these days, there are multiple reasons for this occurrence, the best way to handle and go around it, is to get wise, the internet provides everything one needs to know in order to gather knowledge upon why things are the way they are.
The main importance is to trust your inner true self…
http://www.wowzone.com/monkey.htm