Final Remarks

[simpleman]

Hello all-

I want to start by thanking all of you for allowing me to be here. I realize that my views are radically different from some of you in a lot of ways, but I nonetheless appreciate everyone's hospitality, even if my visit here was more or less unpleasant for almost everyone here. As tomorrow will be the last day for open discussion on this board, I thought I would make a few final remarks.

First of all, again, I want to express my appreciation for being allowed to express my opinions and post my views. This board is one of the best in terms of open discussion. I think that most of you aren't scared of a person with different views, and are willing to stand up for what you believe, regardless. Thanks for being hospitable, even in the face of lots of disagreement and argumentation.

Second, I want you to know that I'm not really the monster I seem to be. This is an emotional issue, and it's hard to express differing viewpoints this day in age without sounding like a monster. Even people who mean well can be ripped apart for saying things considered anti-whatever or insensitive. Bill Cosby is a good example.

Thirdly, people often question how I would do the Equality Ride different if I was in charge. I would pick a public place next to the college in protest, go there, get your permits or whatever else, and sit there. The administration can urge and urge and say "DON'T GO! NOOO!" but the more they say it, the more students will want to come see what you are about. Trust me, I'm a college student, and the more the administration says "Don't do that. It's bad, blahblahblah," the more we rebellious youngsters get curious. I promise you, that if you set up a booth on public property, and the administration makes you a taboo, kids will want to come talk to you. The police will stop you from getting in, but they can't stop the kids from walking out to you.

So when a school says to their students, "they are a nuisance, they are here to make trouble, and they will probably try to get arrested in order to get publicity" and then the riders subsequently become nuisances who try and bend or break rules, thus making trouble, and then go to get arrested, the administration looks like it assessed the situation perfectly. Finally, if the school allows you to visit, please be respectful of the guidelines they ask of you. You will get a lot better response and seem a lot more sincere if you go out of your way to be polite and respectful of their rules and the students will begin to think that their administration lied to them about you, rather than that their administration nailed you perfectly as troublemakers.

Again, thank you for being hospitable and receptive to my ideas, even if you disagree with them. And, I apologize for any pain that my posts may have caused, because that was never the intention. I know that my views are different, and that my beliefs on morality, government, and the Constitution can be construed as harmful to your movement, but they are what they are and I can't apologize for that. I just hope that you will respect my right to hold my views because I respect your right to have yours.

Thanks and God Bless.

[Zerbie]

Wow - fascinating post, Simple!

I had no idea you were a youngster. I wish I had known that earlier this week.

Interesting suggestions: in fact, one of our own members made the same suggesion recently. I imagine that the SF leadership has considered a variety of strategies and chose the one that they did because it seemed to be the best one. I hope leadership will always continue to hone strategy with each passing season, so that the actions get better and better.

I'm glad you managed to feel welcome despite all. If you ever have new insights, or a slight shift in perspective, please come back and let us know.

Best.

[antonyh]

Originally Posted by simpleman

Second, I want you to know that I'm not really the monster I seem to be. This is an emotional issue, and it's hard to express differing viewpoints this day in age without sounding like a monster. Even people who mean well can be ripped apart for saying things considered anti-whatever or insensitive. Bill Cosby is a good example.

I for one have never even entertained the thought that you were a monster. We're debating the issue with you because we'd love to have you to link arms with us.

[u-dog]

I was totally onboard with the whole MONSTER theory. Kidding. thanks for the post. Nice thing about being young is you have all that time ahead of you to change your mind !!

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by simpleman

Hello all-

I want to start by thanking all of you for allowing me to be here. I realize that my views are radically different from some of you in a lot of ways, but I nonetheless appreciate everyone's hospitality, even if my visit here was more or less unpleasant for almost everyone here. As tomorrow will be the last day for open discussion on this board, I thought I would make a few final remarks.

First of all, again, I want to express my appreciation for being allowed to express my opinions and post my views. This board is one of the best in terms of open discussion. I think that most of you aren't scared of a person with different views, and are willing to stand up for what you believe, regardless. Thanks for being hospitable, even in the face of lots of disagreement and argumentation.

Simple- your views are not merely different, they are diametrically opposed to the goals of Soulforce. And as for being hospitable, we do try to practice what we preach, that being nonviolence, even though things can get pretty heated.

Second, I want you to know that I'm not really the monster I seem to be. This is an emotional issue, and it's hard to express differing viewpoints this day in age without sounding like a monster. Even people who mean well can be ripped apart for saying things considered anti-whatever or insensitive. Bill Cosby is a good example.

Of course you are not a monster- at least- I hope not. But your expression of ideas strikes many here as being monstrous in so far as it comes across as unfeeling and with the intent to be offensive. And this goes beyond style and into matters of substance. You are more than welcome to return here after tomorrow. What you will not be welcome to do is post messages which are not within the guidelines.

Thirdly, people often question how I would do the Equality Ride different if I was in charge. I would pick a public place next to the college in protest, go there, get your permits or whatever else, and sit there. The administration can urge and urge and say "DON'T GO! NOOO!" but the more they say it, the more students will want to come see what you are about. Trust me, I'm a college student, and the more the administration says "Don't do that. It's bad, blahblahblah," the more we rebellious youngsters get curious. I promise you, that if you set up a booth on public property, and the administration makes you a taboo, kids will want to come talk to you. The police will stop you from getting in, but they can't stop the kids from walking out to you.

What you are saying here is the old Reverse Psychology tactic, and while it does make a great deal of sense in terms of family dynamics, it is unlikely to be effective in a larger context. It doesn't work for an organization like Sf from a purely tactical standpoint: nonviolent resistance- ie getting arrested- brings awareness to anti-gay oppression. If Sf merely sat on the corner in a passive way, this would not bring attention to its 'cause'. Papers would not write about it and you would probably not have ended up here sparing with members of the forum. So you see, it does serve its purpose.

Again, thank you for being hospitable and receptive to my ideas, even if you disagree with them. And, I apologize for any pain that my posts may have caused, because that was never the intention. I know that my views are different, and that my beliefs on morality, government, and the Constitution can be construed as harmful to your movement, but they are what they are and I can't apologize for that. I just hope that you will respect my right to hold my views because I respect your right to have yours.

No one is asking you to apologize for you views, though I do think it would be more intellectually honest for you to say "I won't apologize for that". That, at least, would indicate you are the master of you own mind.

Lastly, I can- and do- respect your right to hold your views. However, your views, insofar as they impinge on my right to the pursuit of happiness under the same Constitution, will be challenged relentlessly.

Peace to you.

[tdogg]

Simpleman, I don't think you are a monster, and your presence here hasn't been unpleasant for me. Sometimes a bit frustrating (here we go again...) but not unpleasant.

I truly hope you bring something back with you, something to think about, something to work with. Don't let today be the last day you think on all you have heard, read and learned here on these forums. We live this every day of our lives. We are more than happy to share our lives and experiences with you. Hopefully we have opened your mind, even if just a very small bit, so that you can continue to ponder our discussions.

God bless you on your life's journey. Remember you can always come back and talk to us anytime. Much luck & love to you.

Tdogg