Beyond Failure

[awediot]

But we also need to make it clear to Mel White that he is fighting a losing battle.

J. Lee Grady is the editor of Charisma and an award-winning journalist.

He is right... I do not know if even one institution has or will make a substantial change in policy due to the SF riders. I would be delightfully shocked if they did. Being tolerated is an insult and the token, politically correct and obligatory recognition that fades with the bus exhaust is not a step at all. All too quick we are out of sight, out of mind. The compounding quotes are at best condescending offers to increase thier prayers for us. But they are spoken with the steeley resolve of one who would indeed sacrifice whatever monetary gain before leading thier flock to hell. It does not always boil down to money. That is a grave underestimation as to these peoples motives. To them we are literally under demonic influences set on destroying the planet campus by campus, family by family. The hope that they will be swayed to offer up thier children to us for some self fulfilling sob story will be our undoing.

Face it. We are freaks. Even to other minorities who may resent us latching on to thier struggle. We stupify science, spirituality, culture, time and ourselves. There is no parallel and there is no reason for a twist such as us. And I LOVE it. I will milk it for all its worth and I'm glad I'm not just another human interest story, repressed minority. I have seen and experienced things from it I couldn't begin to share. Except with you who need no description... We are the minorities minority and the best politically we can do is fight our way back into a screwed up, bigoted society in decline and climb aboard its sinking ship.

All are called to end poverty and injustice. We are to heal, protect and nurture each other. And we are driven to do so because it is right, while knowing full well in the big picture, we will fail. Even if over night we were embraced and satisfied, the tenderness of heart that has been planted in you, because you read such things, would seek out the next underdog to fight for. Every liberated group that now has equal rights, still feels second class...

But none of that matters. Many get fed, and get warm, and get away from those who hurt them. They see they are not alone, they are loved and they are going to be okay... The bus will never leave a trail of opened minds and enlightened souls empowered enough to change untouchable divine law. They instead leave a subtle path of sparks that set fires, lit and stronger people who can now cope with and utilize, rise above and grow from what has always eluded being changed.

I post this with more hesitation than usual, hoping the sharpening of negativity can be seen in a different way, and can be seen through to expose at least, if not the light I see at the end of the tunnel, but the people all along the walls who we can help jump on, or who leap on unknown just because we're passing through.

[schoolboi]

I feel your anger and pain.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by awediot

I do not know if even one institution has or will make a substantial change in policy due to the SF riders. I would be delightfully shocked if they did.

The bus will never leave a trail of opened minds and enlightened souls empowered enough to change untouchable divine law.

I hear your wail of words and have despaired as you have- that nothing will really change and life will always be a chain of unending sorrow and discrimination- that I will never experience the relationship I would like to have with my family- never be able to be legally married to my partner- always have a zillion people believing that I am bound for some hell.

It's hard to see around the corner of the future, much less know how people will change. Not everyone will have a Damascus moment in response to the Ride. But the ground for such an experience isn't tilled over night. The Ride, and other efforts like it, is a start, a beginning. It is because of dedication to this kind of direct action that change will come in inner and outer ways: all that is dross- even our negativity- is seen for what it is. The mind, lens-like, focusing the rays of the Son on the ground of the Heart, lights the thin paper of our illusions and misconceptions, setting them aflame.

(sp edit)

[Zerbie]

Maybe nothing will change. We will live as we are called to live, regardless.

Hugs to all.

[zephyr013]

This reminds me of "I Heart huckabees" at least the parts about life is suffering. How existential it all is.

[dewdrop_world]

Originally Posted by zephyr013

This reminds me of "I Heart huckabees" at least the parts about life is suffering. How existential it all is.

... which got it from Buddhism (whose First Noble Truth is that suffering is an inescapable part of life).

hjh

[awediot]

Thank you all for the aknowledgement of the pity party portion of my post, but please don't stop there. It is dominant, but the beyond, was the point. In no way was it intended to discourage anyones efforts to bring about Big improvements, just make the small, often missed ones more relevent.

One of the double edge gifts of homosexuality is a hightened sensitivity to sufferring. The big picture means that as long as anyone is being hurt or left hungry or neglected on the planet, you likely will seek them out to try to take some of their pain on yourself, and you will do it for the rest of your life. Its a blessing for the world, but sucks to be you. SoulForce is a wonderful mission you personally relate too. If it were 100% successful, you would move to the next cause to sadden you, and that is a beautiful, bittersweet thing.

[Jennifer5]

I see what you're saying awediot... no matter what happens with the schools, this ride has already made a difference in at least a couple people's lifes.
I agree we are freaks may be... but I too Love it.... wouldn't ever let it go

The bus will never leave a trail of opened minds and enlightened souls empowered enough to change untouchable divine law. They instead leave a subtle path of sparks that set fires, lit and stronger people who can now cope with and utilize, rise above and grow from what has always eluded being changed.

If I'm not mistaken that quote was more of the point...

[Vanessa White]

Heightened sensitivity is the mildest way to say it for me on some of those days- talk about wanting to take on another's suffering!!!!!! I definitely hear what you are saying. So, the slow process that the Equality Rides will help with, just means we have to stay with this cause all the longer, all the more persistently. Yes, others around this earth are suffering, but I am coming to believe through these forums that we DESERVE to pay consistent attention to our sufferings for a change, and I mean for a CHANGE. We deserve that, from ourselves and each other. The rides have also helped me to understand that, although I like being in the comfort zone at times, because it makes life less trying, that the change comes when we as the change agents also move out of our comfort zone, to encourage others out of theirs.

We are on the road, Awediot. Keep the faith, Peace to you always, Vanessa

[tsenri veros]

as discouraging as it may be at times to look back on where you've been and see no evident "fires" taking form in your wake, know that people are changing their hearts. I think it says a lot that APU hasn't lashed out since SF left. You hit us well, and all rantings and protests from a month ago have dwindled entirely. has there been a revolution? not yet. has there been a shaking of bias? undeniably, and the sparks SF has left behind will fight what intolerance remains.

[Jennifer5]

I agree tsenri veros