A Prop 8 challenge for swankers

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

So, it's fine by me if you straight folk use "Faggot."

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I can call my gay friends 'faggot,' but straight people better dare not.

Huh.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I'm not claiming I used the "N" word because I personally think it's meaningless. I used it for derrogatory effect because I know it's still taken that way if I as a white internet person use it (though, hello, unless you know me, you can't tell the color of my skin over the internet).

No black person reclaiming the word would use it the way you did. No gay person would say, "Fvck those subhuman faggots," and mean it.

The word alone has no power and never did, how it's used and the meaning it's used with does. You specifically used it to invoke the hateful, disgusting sentiments that, whether we have an black President or not, continue to make it difficult for blacks to be equal members of society. You can't hide behind apologies, retractions, and claims of progression of the term when you've clearly used it in the most regressive way possible.

Inexcusable no matter how hatefully anyone may have acted in voting. Turnabout is NOT fair play.

[Betty]

As for his comment - I'm inclined to say to leave it in and let him live with the consequences of his words/actions. Perhaps it will serve as a reminder - although I'd hate to see it come up in quotes over and over.

[JWBear]

After long thought and careful consideration I have decided that I can not be angry at the majority of Californians who voted "yes". They did not do it out of malice. Some voted due to outdated and unexamined personal convictions, others due to being confused and misled by the lies. They did not vote the way they did in order to strike a blow against gay rights, for they do not see it in that light. To them, it is a matter of protecting something they think is threatened. They are wrong and misinformed, but they are not malevolent. I truly believe that, if not for the lies of the "Yes on 8" organizers, many of these people would have voted differently. With enough time and education, they will come around.

No, I’ll reserve my anger, my condemnation, and yes, my hatred for the people who ran the pro-8 campaign - the ones who used their positions and influence to lie their way to victory. They are our true enemies. The good people of California were merely the pawns in their evil game. These are the people we must fight. This is where our energy must be directed.

[bewitched]

I don't live in California. I couldn't add my direct support to the "no on 8" movement. I live in Kansas where my gay friends are not even able to dream of entering into a legal marriage (or even having it recognized if the are married where it is legal). By stating this, I in no way mean to diminish the real pain felt by those of you who have been directly effected. So...

I am so sorry that bigotry and hatred carried the day. I am so sorry that so many people choose to vilify love and commitment rather than celebrating it as they should. There is so much **** in this world. Death, suffering, war...love should be celebrated, whatever its form.

My heart goes out to you. Let this be a small bump in your road to equality. When that day comes we will all, as humans, be the better for it.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Inexcusable no matter how hatefully anyone may have acted in voting. Turnabout is NOT fair play.

absolutely unfair, dirty tricks. Yes. And G.C. is right, I'm infamous for shooting off my mouth in offensive and hurtful ways and then taking it back when I calm down, regain my better self ... but the pain of the sting likely lingers.


MIND YOU ... if we had a SINGLE black member of the LoT, I would not have used that word. That's no excuse either ... but I would have refrained from hurting someone, though I did not shy from offending.


Still ... my attack and retract behavior is terrible. I work on it from time to time. It gets better, then worse.

I'm pretty riled up, disgusted, disappointed, highly upset and agitated right now ... but that's no excuse for one of my horrible behavior patterns that I'm highly ashamed of.


I'm also highly ashamed that I didn't contribute more than a pittance to the No on 8 campaign, and dropped out of the organized defeat effort - only to devote my unending efforts and spend thousands of dollars on a Halloween Party.

So part of my anger and disgust is fueled my by own guilt.


I'm really sorry. I'd like to be a better person.

[lizziebith]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

MIND YOU ... if we had a SINGLE black member of the LoT, I would not have used that word. That's no excuse either ... but I would have refrained from hurting someone, though I did not shy from offending.

Just an FYI: we DO have a black member of the LoT. One of my friends outside the internet, who I invited and who may not post very much, but post he most certainly has. Can you guess who?

[Morrigoon]

Channel 4 is already stationed at the temple, ready for the rally

[BarTopDancer]

If the majority of Yes voters were Jews would you invoke the "k" word?

Inexcusable, unacceptable and frankly the apology really has no meaning after so many other inappropriate comments that were later apologized for. Actions speak louder than words, and while it's easier to ask for forgiveness then permission it gets harder and harder to grant forgiveness for the same thing over and over and over again.

I'm about as equally disgusted with the uses of the N word as I am with people who voted Yes. And saddened that someone I know could actually use that word in that way.

[bewitched]

As a member of LoT who has been here almost from the beginning (albeit infrequently until lately)...I am not well known by most of you, nor do I know most of you terribly well.

I don't know iSm's past behavior well, nor do I particularly want to be inundated with past details. Clearly, he has offended and retracted on more than one occasion, causing anger and hurt. Bigotry and hatred (whether in word or action) is inexcusable in any form. Having said that, iSm has apologized...several times. He cannot take back his words, even if they are physically erased. It seems that in the spirit of wanting to celebrate love and acceptance for all, we should try to graciously accept his apology at face value. That doesn't mean we accept what we said as okay, it only means that we accept his regret (and perhaps shame) for his words.

Almost 2 pages have been spent vilifying iSm's words. Maybe it is time to move along and return to vilifying the bigger injustice wrought by yesterday's vote.