The Countdown - 5
Feb. 26th, 2014 09:53 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
clauderainsrm.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
therealljidolThere's something wrong with Arizona.
Must be something in the water.
They embrace discrimination every chance they get, when they aren't embracing "Sheriff Joe" and whatever whacked-out idea he's coming out with this week.
Arizona is a cesspool of hatred and bigotry and no one should ever go there...
Except of course that I know some people in Arizona, and they are good and kind-hearted people who tend to oppose all of that stuff. But they do get a little touchy when it comes to people slamming their state.
Which is OK, because Kansas, Georgia and Missouri have all introduced similar bills discriminating against homosexuals, and we all know how awful people are there!! These are scumbags and their states are the worst that the humanity has to offer....
Except of course that I know people there, and they too oppose what is going on, and speak out against it. They also have a thing about outsiders who read an article on Huffington Post and decide that they have all the facts about what is local news to them.
Which is OK, because at least we still have Florida to hate. With a gun crazy population bend on killing minorities...
Except that's where I am. Granted, I can't claim to be one of the good people. I'm clearly a madman out to destroy everyone that I come across. But I still have some state pride and I wish that people who actually do a little research instead of going off every time they see some messed up case happening in my state.
Because there is f-ed up things happening everywhere. In every state, province, country, city, neighborhood... there is plenty of hatred to go around, and plenty of people who don't realize just how f-ed up they are being, because they are coming from a completely different angle on the issue.
There are certainly things that need to be opposed and stood up to, as a society, as a culture and as beings occupying this shared space we like to call "Earth".
Understanding goes a long way, and being able to not have a knee-jerk reaction, but rather taking a good hard look at a situation. Not everyone has the time for that, and going off on things is easier. (and when it comes to people on the internet, often more profitable)
But doing the work to oppose something is more than signing an internet petition or commenting on a newsthread, and it starts on the ground in those places that are so easy to demonize. It starts with good people, making smart decisions and actually giving a damn about the people who share this space with each other.
***
If yesterday is an indication, people are going to ask "what is the connection to Idol"? I would say "Not everything needs to have a direct connection", but of course there is one. You're not going to like everyone you encounter here. That's the truth. Some people are going to become dear friends, others you would go out your way to avoid. But it's their space too, and we need to figure out a way to get along without stepping on too many toes, a way where you're right to be who you are doesn't interfere with someone else's right to be who they are as well.
It's part of being human, and it's a constant struggle to figure out where those lines are, and keep any one group from tipping the boat over in the process.
But it's worth it.
I hope that you will join in that microcosm of human condition that we like to call LJ IDOL when we open our doors on Monday, March 3rd!
Must be something in the water.
They embrace discrimination every chance they get, when they aren't embracing "Sheriff Joe" and whatever whacked-out idea he's coming out with this week.
Arizona is a cesspool of hatred and bigotry and no one should ever go there...
Except of course that I know some people in Arizona, and they are good and kind-hearted people who tend to oppose all of that stuff. But they do get a little touchy when it comes to people slamming their state.
Which is OK, because Kansas, Georgia and Missouri have all introduced similar bills discriminating against homosexuals, and we all know how awful people are there!! These are scumbags and their states are the worst that the humanity has to offer....
Except of course that I know people there, and they too oppose what is going on, and speak out against it. They also have a thing about outsiders who read an article on Huffington Post and decide that they have all the facts about what is local news to them.
Which is OK, because at least we still have Florida to hate. With a gun crazy population bend on killing minorities...
Except that's where I am. Granted, I can't claim to be one of the good people. I'm clearly a madman out to destroy everyone that I come across. But I still have some state pride and I wish that people who actually do a little research instead of going off every time they see some messed up case happening in my state.
Because there is f-ed up things happening everywhere. In every state, province, country, city, neighborhood... there is plenty of hatred to go around, and plenty of people who don't realize just how f-ed up they are being, because they are coming from a completely different angle on the issue.
There are certainly things that need to be opposed and stood up to, as a society, as a culture and as beings occupying this shared space we like to call "Earth".
Understanding goes a long way, and being able to not have a knee-jerk reaction, but rather taking a good hard look at a situation. Not everyone has the time for that, and going off on things is easier. (and when it comes to people on the internet, often more profitable)
But doing the work to oppose something is more than signing an internet petition or commenting on a newsthread, and it starts on the ground in those places that are so easy to demonize. It starts with good people, making smart decisions and actually giving a damn about the people who share this space with each other.
***
If yesterday is an indication, people are going to ask "what is the connection to Idol"? I would say "Not everything needs to have a direct connection", but of course there is one. You're not going to like everyone you encounter here. That's the truth. Some people are going to become dear friends, others you would go out your way to avoid. But it's their space too, and we need to figure out a way to get along without stepping on too many toes, a way where you're right to be who you are doesn't interfere with someone else's right to be who they are as well.
It's part of being human, and it's a constant struggle to figure out where those lines are, and keep any one group from tipping the boat over in the process.
But it's worth it.
I hope that you will join in that microcosm of human condition that we like to call LJ IDOL when we open our doors on Monday, March 3rd!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2014-02-26 03:11 pm (UTC)I love this wee microcosm, and have met a lot of cool (and a very few uncool) folks through this Green Room that I like to consider my home-away-from-home.
♥ to you all, m'dears!
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Date: 2014-02-26 03:16 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2014-02-26 04:23 pm (UTC)I wanna go!!!
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Date: 2014-02-27 12:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-02-27 01:01 am (UTC)*WOW i'm turning into Darlena! ;-)
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Date: 2014-02-27 02:11 am (UTC)Yep. I live in what is becoming a more and more conservative Muslim country, and yet I've met Muslims who are "my people." I've met non-Muslims who are too. You can't judge a whole population based on the loudest voices!
BTW
Date: 2014-02-26 06:09 pm (UTC)THE PREMIERE OF THE NEW SEASON IS TONIGHT!!
Re: BTW
Date: 2014-02-27 02:35 pm (UTC)The fact that Idol was the first thing I thought of when a particular incident happened only points out the fact how much it's infiltrated my entire being. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing :cue ominous music:
Re: BTW
Date: 2014-02-27 04:06 pm (UTC)Re: BTW
Date: 2014-02-27 04:07 pm (UTC)