Monday, March 19, 2012
Acceptance and kindness...
The debate on bullying is an ongoing one. It has many dimensions, and every person reacts differently. At a time of the Dharun Ravi case,it is instructive to note that while we may never learn the entire truth of what transpired between Ravi and Tyler, there is greater need for an open community to discuss such matters. No one is special and no one ought to be treated differently, but it is equally essential to not blind ourselves to discrimination staring us in the face.
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The idea that gays want "special treatment" is hogwash, spin lies from the religious right. This is a civil rights issue. Period.
ReplyDeleteAll anyone wants, gay or Black or Latino or purple, is just to be treated as equal. To NOT be singled out for persecution just for being different, no matter what that difference is. As is guaranteed in the Constitution. As is promised by the law. Merely to want to be treated as an equal citizen, with the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else, is not asking to be treated as "special."
But while people continue to try to oppress you and call you uppity just because you're asking for equal rights, a little extreme rhetoric can be necessary.
As for bullying, there's no "debate." What "debate"? That bullying is somehow okay sometimes? That bullying is ever acceptable? That somehow it's not bullying if you pretend it's not?
ReplyDeleteThere's no debate. Bullying is hate created by fear, pure and simple. Bullying that leads to suicide is murder. Period.
Art, the debate I was talking about related to what bullying is and how its victims react to it. Aside from Ravi's homophobia or lack thereof, There should be no reason for anyone to have such a control on your life that you decide to give it up. To that extent, I wish Tyler was alive today. He had already come out to his parents. He should have approached them and got them involved. There are options. Also, I think you get bullied if you are allow urself to. Fight back. There was a period last year when I decided to wear nail color and a nose ring on campus in Lucknow. And I never got any pain on account of that becoz I wear an expression that says Mess with me and u r fucked. I just wish Tyler would also have gotten back at Ravi, maybe beat him up but not killed himself.
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