Fire Imus? - Page 11

skcin · #**151** 04-13-2007, 12:02 PM

I'd like to point out a few things:

1 - The color of a person's skin is much more obvious the people than their sexuality or their nationality for the most part. I'm NOT trying to say that other groups aren't stereotyped or demeaned or discriminated against. BUT. Black (and Hispanic and Asian and Middle Eastern) people are judged by racists immediately by their appearance alone.

2 - People have the right to be ignorant. People have the right to think what they want. People have the right to teach their kids what they want to (which is sometimes frightening.) But it shocks the hell out of me that people would admit these opinions in public! If I thought gay people were evil (which I obviously don't) I wouldn't be running around telling everyone that I believed that, and then act shocked when I pissed people off.

Same with people who tell "black jokes" when they barely know you. WTF is that about? Why would you do that when you don't know how the other person feels?

estranged4life · #**152** 04-13-2007, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah

I was in 6th grade before I ever had a class with someone who wasn't white. I had never known anyone black or hispanic (but I did know a couple of Japanese children).

but probably typical of the time. When I was in kindergarten I had classmates of all of races & colors (A majority of my friends throughout my school years were black).

I grew up with the majority of my kindergarten classmates - and we encountered racism all the time (My hometown Muskogee did not de-segregate school until 1970 - the year I was born. Hell in 1988)

GateandGarden · #**153** 04-13-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Bitter - party of one

bit·ter /ˈbɪtər/

–adjective
1. having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.
2. producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.
3. hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.
4. causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.
5. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.
6. hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.
7. resentful or cynical: bitter words.
–noun
8. that which is bitter; bitterness: Learn to take the bitter with the sweet.
9. British. a very dry ale having a strong taste of hops.
–verb (used with object)
10. to make bitter: herbs employed to bitter vermouth.
–adverb
11. extremely; very; exceedingly: a bitter cold night.

carrie721 · #**154** 04-13-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Since I’m a second-class citizen — a gay man — my seats for the ballgame of American discourse are way back in the bleachers.

i couldn't read any further.

The Tower · #**155** 04-13-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

I'd like to point out a few things:

1 - The color of a person's skin is much more obvious the people than their sexuality or their nationality for the most part. I'm NOT trying to say that other groups aren't stereotyped or demeaned or discriminated against. BUT. Black (and Hispanic and Asian and Middle Eastern) people are judged by racists immediately by their appearance alone.

It's really true. As a gay white man, I am at an advantage compared to a gay black man. People have to know a little bit about me before they can start calling me a faggot, but being black is instant for those who can see.

I worked for a medical/dental employment agency and I can tell you that doctors and dentists are some of the most racist and sexist people I have ever encountered. A woman who worked with me was of Japanese decent, however, she's a second generation American and she has a very beautiful, sultry voice ala a younger Kathleen Turner. She took a call from a doctor one day to place and ad for a medical assistant, and doctor went on and on and on about how he didn't want any "chinks". Klassy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrie721

i couldn't read any further.

Too bad- it's a great read.

carrie721 · #**156** 04-13-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tower

Too bad- it's a great read.

i can't stomach the victimhood thing anymore. too bad that's what he led off with.

The Tower · #**157** 04-13-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrie721

i can't stomach the victimhood thing anymore. too bad that's what he led off with.

I'm not a big fan of it either- the cool thing about it, is that he points out everyone's hypocrisy. The American Public gets all up in arms about "nappy-headed ho's"- but, "faggot" or fat jokes/commentary is just dandy.

carrie721 · #**158** 04-13-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tower

I'm not a big fan of it either- the cool thing about it, is that he points out everyone's hypocrisy. The American Public gets all up in arms about "nappy-headed ho's"- but, "faggot" or fat jokes/commentary is just dandy.

ok, i read it. i understand his comment in the context of the point he was making; i don't like it, but i understand it.

seems to me that if people of any "disenfranchised" group want to not be seen as victims, they should quit acting like victims ... is that crazy? nobody's comments about lesbians, women, overweight people, or people who are prematurely going grey diminish me as a person. it's a choice to feel/act that way.

Sarah · #**159** 04-13-2007, 02:45 PM

yes.. we as a society are hyper-sensitive, i think.

GateandGarden · #**160** 04-13-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrie721

seems to me that if people of any "disenfranchised" group want to not be seen as victims, they should quit acting like victims ... is that crazy? nobody's comments about lesbians, women, overweight people, or people who are prematurely going grey diminish me as a person. it's a choice to feel/act that way.

I just don't see how having a more positive outlook or a better state of mind is going to help matters in a practical sense. It makes people more tolerable to talk to, but I don't know what it does beyond that.

carrie721 · #**161** 04-13-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I just don't see how having a more positive outlook or a better state of mind is going to help matters in a practical sense. It makes people more tolerable to talk to, but I don't know what it does beyond that.

it's not just about having a better outlook, it's about not giving people the power to dictate who you are or define you. i'm a lesbian. i have members of my own family who used to be very close to me who think i'm going to hell and am an abomination in god's eyes. so what?

Sarah · #**162** 04-13-2007, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I just don't see how having a more positive outlook or a better state of mind is going to help matters in a practical sense. It makes people more tolerable to talk to, but I don't know what it does beyond that.

Maybe the self-satisfaction of knowing you're better than their petty trash talk?

GateandGarden · #**163** 04-13-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrie721

it's not just about having a better outlook, it's about not giving people the power to dictate who you are or define you. i'm a lesbian. i have members of my own family who used to be very close to me who think i'm going to hell and am an abomination in god's eyes. so what?

I'm not as gung-ho about the whole gay pride thing as I used to be, but I still like to give people hell if I think they're asking for it. I can't be casual about the family members, etc. who say that I'm (and not just me specifically) going to hell. I have to yell at them, literally or symbolically somehow, because I haven't stopped thinking I have to make it clear that I think they're being idiotic.

Sarah · #**164** 04-13-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I'm not as gung-ho about the whole gay pride thing as I used to be, but I still like to give people hell if I think they're asking for it. I can't be casual about the family members, etc. who say that I'm (and not just me specifically) going to hell. I have to yell at them, literally or symbolically somehow, because I haven't stopped thinking I have to make it clear that I think they're being idiotic.

I've just been told that I'm going to hell one time. The only reply I could come up with was "see you there, you judgemental piece of ****."

If I'm going to hell, it's for all the bad things I've said and done. Not for the people I've bonked.

JazmenFlowers · #**165** 04-13-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tower

It's really true. As a gay white man, I am at an advantage compared to a gay black man. People have to know a little bit about me before they can start calling me a faggot, but being black is instant for those who can see.

while I do agree, here's something to chew on.

when I went to visit my grandmother in the hospital I was walking up to the door and there was a group of black guys standing around and they said "hey, is you a faggot? you is a faggot, faggot." and started laughing. it was weird because here I was going to visit my grandmother after having open heart surgery and these assholes are sitting there saying that ****. they had no clue why I was there...I could've been visiting someone on their deathbed. I mean, this wasn't any random store to be catcalling...it was a freaking hospital.

now, I had on a ballcap, a black jacket and jeans and glasses. I'm still not sure what tipped them off...srsly. I know I can have my moments, but I really thought I looked like **** so I obviously didn't look gay (that's a joke...ha ha). I didn't pay any attention to them. so, of course, I played the card and acted like a little bitch and went inside and told the guard.