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Taking Sides doesn't always mean "Taking a Side": Opinion vs. Oppression
So this whole thing about Chick-Fil-A and gayness and morals and "taking action vs voicing opinions"...and all that hoopla...
Firstly, this post is not about Chick-Fil-A being depicted as some apocalyptic discharge shitting on the world or even its CEO's religiously-influenced "opinions". It's about the concept of such a thing that's still in existence because we as a people have been tolerating it for too long. And while this message isn't in the least bit expected to do any real damage in the war against anti-gay marriage and all things anti-gay, it's still in its purest form a message.
So anyway...on with the "message"....
To everyone who's bitched about us folk simply "bitching" about the whole situation and not taking action: voicing our thoughts, speaking up, is actually a form of taking action and not coincidentally is usually the starting point for physical action taking place. Without thoughts and a voice, physical action has zero purpose. Because evidently, if one has an opinion but not the power to manifest that opinion into physical form, they shouldn't have the right to use their voice. Is that not the true definition of ignorance? And yes, if I did have the money, if I did have the time I would definitely dedicate a portion of both to this bullshit our "society" has still yet to overcome.
We put a lot of backing into the right to have an opinion these days. Everyone has a voice, everyone has a right. Well, incredibly, there is actually a HUGE difference between having an opinion and being a bigoted asshole using the word of "God" to justify one's beliefs. To those who keep saying everyone has a right to their own opinions: this is true, everyone does have that right. But take this into consideration: If you were gay, and wanted to marry someone because you both actually were happy with each other but you couldn't because a society, and a fucking fast food chain (of all things), amongst other sources, decided that it's not only a sin but morally wrong and damn-worthy to be gay, how would you feel?
Opinion vs. Oppression:
An illustrious example of an opinion: Favoring the color red over blue.
NOT an illustrious example of an opinion: Being against gay marriage because it conflicts with your religious ideals and/or "moral" code. That's not exercising your right to have an opinion, it's employing the act of oppression on a group of people who want nothing more than the literal right to be happy.
The latter of the aforementioned, if elected, basically implies that one is perfectly fine with the existence of indifference, whether or not they believe gay marriage to be a sin or simply because they're disgusted by homosexuality...well...it's not an opinion; instead, it's behaving in perhaps the most degenerative way a human can. Only the human race could be responsible for something so vile and destructive, not to mention ignorant. Even if you don't care which way the tide flows in the years to come, are you proud of your ignorance? Do you support human indifference?
Is that just an opinion? It's damaging, not physical damage...not yet. See, you'd think this would be common sense, but then again common sense is an endangered species among us "civilized folk". Opinions like this only start out as opinions, but when they start to infringe upon a person's life/lifestyle/well-being, they cease to become mere opinions. Right now, those opinions may just be a thorn in some gay dude's big toe, but give it time. The longer these opinions, these "beliefs" are tolerated, that thorn can lead to far more damaging circumstances, and it has, believe it or not. Suicide, in its most fundamental aura, is a matter of self-choice. Yes, anyone who does kill themselves takes that action alone, but rarely does that action stem from something other than outside influence. Outside influence such as gay-bashing, anti-gay behavior, anti-gay policies. It might seem over-dramatic to some of you republicans out there to even talk about this ...but then again truth is as rare as common sense these days. Too often is the truth side-stepped as a means to cope with one's own societal disillusions; tolerance is only necessary when nothing else can be done to change something.
It literally makes me sick to my stomach that this is still a problem in today's culture. How is it that people can just thumb their noses and pay for a sandwich all whilst knowing that their money is contributing towards the further degradation of the human race...and all for a fucking sandwich? How hard is it to accept that one person likes another person? And yea, I realize that this post won't see the light of day in any Chick-fil-a office or discussion group, it probably won't even turn up in a goddamn time capsule. The point is, everyone has a voice and this is how I'm using it. This really has nothing to do with Chick-fil-a at all, but the situation with that place may end up being a real starting point for progress. Even something as seemingly meaningless as a Fast Food Chain's CEO's "opinion" can be the equivalent of the whisper that starts an avalanche. The debate's been alive for too long, not everyone is equal physically/emotionally/psychologically/mentally/sexually, but everyone has a right to be happy...and if that means being gay, holy shit, god forbid a dude wants to sit on a dick or a chick wants to muffdive over the weekend.
Passing on knowledge, and belief and truth is the only way to get any kind of ball moving. How would any of the rallies and conventions and speeches and assemblies throughout history meant to provoke a change in the way we think and behave ever have gotten noticed or hell, even put into action, without the concept of mere thought? Thought leads to speech, speech leads to awareness. Awareness leads to action. It has to start somewhere, and now that we have the power of social networking, maybe we can at last put said capability to a worthwhile use.
Maybe one day I'll be able to do more, but for now...speaking, voicing, thinking, and finding other ways is all I can do. The message has to be conveyed somehow, and until someone forges the right kind of sword, that's all it will be: a message. At least I'm doing that much. Physical damage is not always the most hurtful; physical wounds heal over time...hopefully humanity can heal a little bit faster.
Alright, with that said...it's unquestionably time for a glass o' Jameson.
Firstly, this post is not about Chick-Fil-A being depicted as some apocalyptic discharge shitting on the world or even its CEO's religiously-influenced "opinions". It's about the concept of such a thing that's still in existence because we as a people have been tolerating it for too long. And while this message isn't in the least bit expected to do any real damage in the war against anti-gay marriage and all things anti-gay, it's still in its purest form a message.
So anyway...on with the "message"....
To everyone who's bitched about us folk simply "bitching" about the whole situation and not taking action: voicing our thoughts, speaking up, is actually a form of taking action and not coincidentally is usually the starting point for physical action taking place. Without thoughts and a voice, physical action has zero purpose. Because evidently, if one has an opinion but not the power to manifest that opinion into physical form, they shouldn't have the right to use their voice. Is that not the true definition of ignorance? And yes, if I did have the money, if I did have the time I would definitely dedicate a portion of both to this bullshit our "society" has still yet to overcome.
We put a lot of backing into the right to have an opinion these days. Everyone has a voice, everyone has a right. Well, incredibly, there is actually a HUGE difference between having an opinion and being a bigoted asshole using the word of "God" to justify one's beliefs. To those who keep saying everyone has a right to their own opinions: this is true, everyone does have that right. But take this into consideration: If you were gay, and wanted to marry someone because you both actually were happy with each other but you couldn't because a society, and a fucking fast food chain (of all things), amongst other sources, decided that it's not only a sin but morally wrong and damn-worthy to be gay, how would you feel?
Opinion vs. Oppression:
An illustrious example of an opinion: Favoring the color red over blue.
NOT an illustrious example of an opinion: Being against gay marriage because it conflicts with your religious ideals and/or "moral" code. That's not exercising your right to have an opinion, it's employing the act of oppression on a group of people who want nothing more than the literal right to be happy.
The latter of the aforementioned, if elected, basically implies that one is perfectly fine with the existence of indifference, whether or not they believe gay marriage to be a sin or simply because they're disgusted by homosexuality...well...it's not an opinion; instead, it's behaving in perhaps the most degenerative way a human can. Only the human race could be responsible for something so vile and destructive, not to mention ignorant. Even if you don't care which way the tide flows in the years to come, are you proud of your ignorance? Do you support human indifference?
Is that just an opinion? It's damaging, not physical damage...not yet. See, you'd think this would be common sense, but then again common sense is an endangered species among us "civilized folk". Opinions like this only start out as opinions, but when they start to infringe upon a person's life/lifestyle/well-being, they cease to become mere opinions. Right now, those opinions may just be a thorn in some gay dude's big toe, but give it time. The longer these opinions, these "beliefs" are tolerated, that thorn can lead to far more damaging circumstances, and it has, believe it or not. Suicide, in its most fundamental aura, is a matter of self-choice. Yes, anyone who does kill themselves takes that action alone, but rarely does that action stem from something other than outside influence. Outside influence such as gay-bashing, anti-gay behavior, anti-gay policies. It might seem over-dramatic to some of you republicans out there to even talk about this ...but then again truth is as rare as common sense these days. Too often is the truth side-stepped as a means to cope with one's own societal disillusions; tolerance is only necessary when nothing else can be done to change something.
It literally makes me sick to my stomach that this is still a problem in today's culture. How is it that people can just thumb their noses and pay for a sandwich all whilst knowing that their money is contributing towards the further degradation of the human race...and all for a fucking sandwich? How hard is it to accept that one person likes another person? And yea, I realize that this post won't see the light of day in any Chick-fil-a office or discussion group, it probably won't even turn up in a goddamn time capsule. The point is, everyone has a voice and this is how I'm using it. This really has nothing to do with Chick-fil-a at all, but the situation with that place may end up being a real starting point for progress. Even something as seemingly meaningless as a Fast Food Chain's CEO's "opinion" can be the equivalent of the whisper that starts an avalanche. The debate's been alive for too long, not everyone is equal physically/emotionally/psychologically/mentally/sexually, but everyone has a right to be happy...and if that means being gay, holy shit, god forbid a dude wants to sit on a dick or a chick wants to muffdive over the weekend.
Passing on knowledge, and belief and truth is the only way to get any kind of ball moving. How would any of the rallies and conventions and speeches and assemblies throughout history meant to provoke a change in the way we think and behave ever have gotten noticed or hell, even put into action, without the concept of mere thought? Thought leads to speech, speech leads to awareness. Awareness leads to action. It has to start somewhere, and now that we have the power of social networking, maybe we can at last put said capability to a worthwhile use.
Maybe one day I'll be able to do more, but for now...speaking, voicing, thinking, and finding other ways is all I can do. The message has to be conveyed somehow, and until someone forges the right kind of sword, that's all it will be: a message. At least I'm doing that much. Physical damage is not always the most hurtful; physical wounds heal over time...hopefully humanity can heal a little bit faster.
Alright, with that said...it's unquestionably time for a glass o' Jameson.
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