Have I ever mentioned that I HATE HYPCRATES?!

[pataloca0204]

Cause it is so true that it's disgusting. I got into an argument with a 16-year-old coworker today because of his blatant homophobia. As a matter of fact, our conversation started because he blurted out "I am a homophobe." So I hit him, because 1) that is amazingly disrespectful, and 2) we are working with a group of 20 or so 8-year-olds. I then

Comments

[mariallegra]

I'm eight months off being a kid, and I know too well how they operate and how absolutely miserable the omnipresence of homophobic shit can make a kid in the closet, so, even though I believe in nonviolence and I've never hit a person in my life, this story makes me grin and it makes me feel grateful

[mariallegra]

I'm eighteen, and I'm really hoping that last sentence was a simple misunderstanding and not condescension.

Kids repeat shit; kids of all backgrounds repeat shit. Being violent in front of eight-year-olds is not good for them. But Emily was not the first one who did something harmful in front of impressionable children that could cause harm if repeated. If I were a parent, I, yes, would flip out if I knew my child's staff were whacking each other on the job. I'd flip out harder if I knew they were spewing homophobia.

I believe that beliefs that hurt people should be challenged whenever possible. It's not about attacking people and depriving them of their freedom; it's about stopping them from doing that to innocent people. There are people who think I deserve to fucking die. It is not ignorance to be loudly appalled by that.

[pataloca0204]

If I may defend myself for a moment, I should have been a little bit more specific in my explanation. I didn't punch him, I swatted him on the arm because of what he said, and how loud he'd said it in front of the kids.

[mariallegra]

Maybe it's a deficiency in my nonviolence but I really can't censure you for that.

[pataloca0204]

As I sat there reading through this, I was very confused as to where you came up with me punching this guy. I reread my original comment and can see where that idea came from. Though I wanted to, I didn't because I have self control and because what would that have done? Broken my hand and gotten me fired, at least. I can also see where you would get that I tried to force my opinion on him. I didn't, and I would be a hypocrite myself if I had. We spoke about the incident again yesterday, despite the fact that I said I did not wish to speak to him about it. Once again we got nowhere in the conversation.

You both have extremely valid points. While I respect his opinion, I do not agree with it, in any way, as he has nothing to base it on in the first place, and because it is so offensive to me.

I apologize if I may have started something unnecessarily through any means of miscommunication on my part. When I try to explain things, they come out differently than they are played in my head. So, again, sorry.

Re: nah

[mariallegra]

Damn. I really think I've come off as belligerent with you, and I honestly am not like that as a matter of course. I don't like conflict and would rather admire sparkly things. ;)

Basically, I get strident because the world doesn't usually match the pretty sparkliness of my head; I do think a little debate is good for everyone once in a while because we all need to examine our beliefs and the reasons for them, and I'm glad you didn't think I was just trying to be an asshole.