Tells it how it is

[Vicky56]

Hey, I was looking around the intenet the other day and came across this statement. I thought it was amazing and so true. What do you think?

"Nobody tells Latino kids in the highscool that nobody cares is they're Hispanic so long as they keep it to themselves. Jewish kids arent told that they are sinners and that tey could change into Christians if they wanted. People don't tell black kids they should put up with racism because they've come so far from when they were slaves. They don't have to defend why there is a black history month, or why people want black studies in the curriculum. People don't say 'That's so Korean' when they mean something is stupid or weird. People don't tell disabled kids that the community isn't ready to defend their equal rights and inclusion yet. You never hear anyone argue that breast cancer is God's way of killing off women, or that it's a good thing. If a teacher hears anyone use a slang insult for a Chinease kid, they jump on it. When a foreign exchange student asks a teacher about dating, they aren't sent to see the guidance councellor.

But everday at highschool, I hear its okay that I'm gay as long as I stay in the closet and that I'm an abomination against God, that I could change if I wanted to. I'm told that pople like me shouldn't be taught about in school. I'm told that I should be satisfied because our shool is far better then it used to be, and that I shouldn't push for my equal rights and inclusion because the community isn't ready yet. Everday, I hear 'That's so gay!' and I hear AIDS is my punishment for being who I am. Everyday, I hear the word faggot.

It's hard not to walk around angry all the time."

[Alecto]

In fairness, people DO tell Black people that they've come so far and there is no racism anymore and that there is no need for Black History Month. I'm down with the sentiment, and there's some other good examples there, yeah, but some of that does still happen.

It's important, in our struggle to end our own oppression, that we don't enhance or ignore the oppression of others: it's often hard for women, or people of color, or transfolks not to walk around angry all the time too.

[Tallit]

And some people do criticise Latinos for using Spanish, for clining to Latino culture etc. Many Latinos can relate an experience when they've been asked "how long have you been in the US?" I know several in family can.

And believe me, Jews are asked on a regular basis if they have "accepted Jesus Christ" and so forth.

Gay, Latino and Jewish...I'd make a great extra credit project for a neo-nazi!

[Daniel]

Here's what I think. One can get all fired up and and angry about oppression, or one can have compassion for those who suffer, including one's self, and do something about it. Compassion gets us- I believe- a heck of a lot farther, and is longer lasting. It's warm rather than hot.

The truth is- as I see it- is that everyone suffers in one way or another. And until all of us are free, none of us are free. I've never forgotten when I heard a former nun - Virginia Apuzzo - say this in an address many years ago.

Liberation from oppression isn't just for minorities.

[antiochian]

I'd be interested in knowing the source of this quote, Vicky.

[Alecto]

Daniel: I think you're ignoring a great number of people who get all fired up and angry about oppression and do something about it. I think it's an unfair false dichotomy to present (see ACT UP, etc).

Also, it's a fine line between saying that yeah, sometimes it's worthwhile and helpful to be calm and patient, and that it's always up to us to hold every straight person's hand. see the article from feministe: http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2010/08/27/marginalized-folks-shouldnt-always-have-to-be-the-bigger-persons/

[Daniel]

Daniel: I think you're ignoring a great number of people who get all fired up and angry about oppression and do something about it. I think it's an unfair false dichotomy to present (see ACT UP, etc).

Also, it's a fine line between saying that yeah, sometimes it's worthwhile and helpful to be calm and patient, and that it's always up to us to hold every straight person's hand. see the article from feministe: http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2010/08/27/marginalized-folks-shouldnt-always-have-to-be-the-bigger-persons/

Not ignoring at all. I've written in defense of ACT-UP on these pages quite often. And I didn't say anything about being calm and patient. I wrote about having compassion for one's self and others, which is something that can be done no matter what one is feeling. In fact, that is the point.

Anger alone doesn't last very long. It burns hot and then burns out. Warm-heartedness is something else entirely.

[Alecto]

I maybe misread the spirit of your reply. Apologies.

[Andy]

Well I hope that my opinion is not opening something thats been sitting awhile with no response's, but my belief is that we should feel no anger toawrds those that would harm us for being diffrent. No its not okay to take a beating from a someone who is a homophobe there are instances where you need to fight back. But God told us that we need to love not hate, forgive not hold grudges, we will destroy ourselves with our own hate. Now im a really firery person, i was raised where we shoot first ask qeustions later, and I even adapted that for along time. But sence I have found God more I have learned that letting it go and forgiving makes you sleep alot better at night, then planning unecassary revenge that will only accomplish more ridicule or worse groups of people trying to hurt you.

The world is full of people ready to put you down if your even alittle bit diffrent from they view as normal. An this goes for black, white, latinos, gays, transexuals. My above statement is not just for Gay but everyone who has to face the stupidity of other humans who live in a world where they believe everyone was not created equal and should not have equal oppertunity.