Drama llama update

[essentialsaltes]

I had hoped this would've been a better solution, but the student-organized prom apparently had just 9 attendees.

Comments

Re: public opinion

[ono-sendai.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm not making any super concrete claims regarding anything, and obviously Mississippi is one of the most socially conservative states (also one of the poorest). I still see the modern era as a pretty good indicator that things are getting better, however- I mean, the Klan used to run a lot of Mississippi. Things are less bad, especially in the major cities. I'd much rather be angry about proms and marriage than Klan-led book burnings (also murders, etc).

I'm not really clear on what you've been trying to argue- things are not great everywhere in America, and some areas are really messed up. I still see the march and progression of gay civil rights in this country to be really inspiring, and it's definitely taking far less time (and loss of life) than black and women's civil rights (again, not to say that these things are in anything close to perfect condition, but I'm talking relatively). I'm proud of a whole lot of my country, and I choose to focus on them and support them than trying to frankly expend all my mental and physical rage at those bigots that remain.

Let's be honest- you don't debate away hate, and laws can't change minds. I'm speaking from a lot of painful experience as an observant Jew (strike one) from Arabic ancestry (strike two). I've had your grab bag of awfulness, ranging from serious assaults to casual everyday racism. The people who attempted to beat me in the past aren't about to change their minds, but I'm lucky there are so few of them in our modern America. Things (and minds) are changing only because of common, average people trying to be decent, and I want to recognize and support them.

Frankly, when you deal with the dregs of humanity throughout your life, you really would rather focus on the good people. I know what people are capable of, and I know that they're out there, but I'm happy that there are enough decent people in this country to still make it a safe place to live.

Re: public opinion

[essentialsaltes.livejournal.com]

I'm not really clear on what you've been trying to argue

Well, when you write something like: "I'm not too worried though- no matter the outcome, the public has already rendered their verdict on the involved parties, and that'll likely be unchanged."

It sounds like: "No biggie. Everything is fine!"

I'm not trying to illegalize hate, or debate it away. I'm just standing up and pointing and saying, "Look. There's some hate. Everything is not fine."

Re: public opinion

[ono-sendai.livejournal.com]

I'm not saying 'everything's fine'- I'm saying 'things will turn out fine'. I don't imagine this situation turning out badly for the wronged parties, which I think is both refreshing and nice to know. Most situations like this are far more up in the air, but mostly due to general public interest, I think the affected parties will be ok. I think that's pretty great.