Quote:
|
Originally Posted by sarramkrop
I feel like shit. I don't like violence or being part of it. I feel rubbish for starting this thread. I wish I could delete it. You'll never understand what raising hands on a person makes me feel like.
|
I actually don't have a problem with violence in its entirety. Or, to be more accurate, I have a big problem with large-scale violence, or the abuse of violence for the achievement of selfish ends (war, oppression, etc.), and unnecessary violence, but no problem with violence on a one-to-one level when it's a justified reaction.
I think people put way too much value on human life. Human life should absolutely be valued, and it is precious, and those that share these feelings and offer one another mutual respect should be greatly valued and protected. But human life in and of itself is not special. It's no more special than any other type of life, whether it be another intelligent member of the animal kingdom or a plant with no concious mind or self-awareness. That said, a human life isn't valuable by default. And the second a person chooses not to offer respect to their fellow persons, all of that morality (which exists in society purely as a tool for survival and mass cohabitation, but means shit in the natural world) goes out the window in my book. If someone threatens or hurts someone I love, or threatens a good, innocent person, then as far as I'm concerned they no longer deserve to be treated with this respect or their wellbeing deemed as valuable (that is for whatever duration they hold these attitudes or carry out these actions, as if a person sees the error in their ways and truly changes then I can forgive them.) This shared belief in individual value is an agreement, and if one party breaks that agreement it's perfectly fair to drop your end of the bargain.
At this point we're just talking about the natural world. We have it in us to be beasts, and if we are approached with savagery from another person, responding with savagery is a perfectly fair reaction. And I for one am prepared to be a more adept beast. It's not always the best reaction, mind you, and it's up to you to exercise proper judgement, but in any case, the best decision or not, it is a fair one.
Such ideas don't necessarily work with optimal results on a large scale (i.e. as a way for a government to operate), but can work one a one-to-one level.
That said, it is my opinion that you should have no regrets for your actions. You did the right thing.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by SuchFriendsAreDangerous
nonsense, the only way to defeat a stereotype is positive exposure and reenforcement.
|
That's not true. It's one way to defeat a stereotype, depending on what the stereotype is, and given the right conditions (namely that the involved parties are even willing to exercise understanding and keep an open mind.) And you assume that he and his mate were targeted solely based on a stereotype. Some people just get off on dominating others around them, particularly if they feel inadequate in aspects of their own lives. It's a chance to be an alpha male, to feel power. And they picked them because they thought they could get away with it and without any repercussions. Now they realize it's not so easy, and with any luck they were at least jarred by the experience enough to take a second look.
The burden for change shouldn't be on the people subjected to discrimination. It's simply more fair to be hostile towards those who think they can get away with treating others poorly and continue to do so until they get with the system.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by SuchFriendsAreDangerous
You must conquer hatred with love, and ignorance with experience.
|
Ignorance with experience, yes, but hatred is not conquered with love. Sometimes, yes, but with a lot of intense work and time. If a simple act of kindness is enough to turn a person around then they don't have hatred, they just have misguided anger that they've found a scapegoat for, which is two very different things. More often than not, genuine hatreds die along with the people that maintain them, and the next generation simply fills the void with new or less rigid perspectives.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by SuchFriendsAreDangerous
Violence only begets violence, eye for an eye leaves us all blinded.
|
Violence doesn't always beget violence, but if you plan on being violent you should absolutely be prepared for more violence as it very well may come. Violence IS an answer, it just isn't always the best answer. But neither is extreme tolerance. Or love. Generally, a well-executed and thought-out blend of the two is ideal. And, at the very least, a capacity for violence is always a good thing. You can choose never to use it for as long as you live, but the ability to mete it out and to do so with skill is beneficial to anyone.
ALL OF THAT SAID, ANOTHER GREAT WAY TO FIGHT HOMOPHOBIA:
Really, really hot ladyboys. Have any of you guys seen Mig on ladyboyplayer.com? God damn. I'm not even remotely gay (I've long considered it just in case I was bisexual as I'd like to happily embrace whatever I am and make the most of it, but alas it just isn't there), but God damn, I would have lots of sex with her. I'd probably even be down for giving her a blowjay.