When did our nation become one full of hypocrisy and close minded thinking? The status quo in our day has evolved why haven't we all adapted to it yet? I am so tired of hearing people tell me that things are inappropriate for television or the worn out phrase "Oh my God did they really just say that?" Yea. They did. Get the (expletive) over it. It is time to be free to express ourselves in any manner in which we deem fit because is that not what we are taught to believe? That there is only one of you in this world. I am unique. There will never be another me. Cloning? Really even if there was a clone of ourselves, would they be just like us in every way possible? I doubt it, what makes me, me is the experiences I have had, and the interactions I was apart of, and last I checked duplicating this was impossible. There is no De Lorien we can hop into to re-live the past. Move on people. Times have changed let us change with these times to be as current as we possibly can.
In another students post she mentions the drag queens of society and the shocking nature of the lives these individuals lead. What is so shocking? Everyone has their way of doing things, we all have our guilty pleasures. So why can't these individuals live their lives free of persecution or even being ostracized? I have had the privilege of working retail for three years at the most exciting yet tedious job in the world, Walgreens. In one phrase I can sum up my time there: you cannot, I repeat cannot, script real life. Reality television can kiss my @$$ it has absolutely nothing on the experience that one can gain while working there. That place literally has it all. From the elderly shopping for incontinence or some medication to help with that unsightly irritation which they have to indulge you with the privilege of showing you photos of, to the teenage boy looking to buy condoms, lubricants, massage oils, and some pregnancy tests discretely without the world knowing. Yes it is truly a one of a kind experience. Screw Jersey Shore come work at Walgreens then you will never want to see another crappy show like that again.
So back to the status quo of society what the hell does all this have to do with change for the better? Well for starters why do people judge others on the nature of things they don't understand? I have never been a drag queen that sort of thing doesn't call to my attention, but just because it is not my cup of tea does not give me the right to judge those who like to do that. It does not give me the authority to label them a freak or call them names like I have heard customers at Walgreens do because we had an individual who came into our store who happened to be in drag and was criticized for doing so. I helped them just like any other customer and made them feel as if they were just like anyone else. Why should they get preferential treatment or shitty customer service because of the way they conduct themselves?
We have come a long way in our advancement of technology, in our way of movements for change for certain groups of people but what about true equality for any individual? No matter their sexual orientation, their gender or gender role in society we should accept everyone for their behavioral traits and personality not because they made a life choice contrary to ours. When are we going to have that movement, the tolerance movement for any individual?
Sir, I say one word: PREACH! You are the very prime example of how this world should operate. I’m so glad that you enjoyed my rant about the world of drag. :) And, I respect you entirely for your open-mindedness and natural ability to work with individuals without judgment. Your blog this week is pretty much what I’m thinking all of the time. It gets extremely, extremely tiring and frustrating when all around me I’m hearing prejudices and unkind comments from people against people. I think you’re absolutely insane for loving your job, but to each their own, right? I couldn’t do it, but the things you must have seen, right? The world is too serious and too judgmental on things that they’re wasting their time judging, in my opinion. Do you have any idea how much energy it takes to judge someone or to hold a grudge? It doesn’t look attractive and it’s a waste of time, really. It almost seems like people do it on purpose sometimes, doesn’t it? But, anyway…
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for voicing your thoughts! They were extremely interesting and wonderful to read. I smiled all the way through your ranting. I look forward to what you’ll have to say next week.
Great post, I think people tend to forget the saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all". I am impressed on your efforts of treating people the same. You are absolutely right. Why should anyone be treated differently and get different customer service for looking a different way? Or having different personalities. We're all different, but we're all the same when it comes to feeling left out. Everyone is human. We are like-minded, I too think, that everyone is going insane. I feel like our community is largely influenced by what they see on TV. Anything that doesn't resemble what they're use to seeing on TV, isn't normal. Anything not “normal”, we dismiss. Dangerous mind-set, and maybe this idea is cliché.
ReplyDeleteYeah I get your point. Everyone is unique, and everyone should express themselves accordingly. However, I think people are just accustomed to fitting in and trying to adapt to the society's norms. Because in today's society anyone that sticks out is bound for judgment. It's just the way our society is; as sad as that seems, but that's the way it is. I am impressed on your open-mindedness and I believe everyone should be open to understanding rather than dismissing.
I agree with you when you mention “When did our nation become one full of hypocrisy and close minded thinking?” Here we are living in the year 2011 and we are still dealing with these issues.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that people are so judgmental. How could they judge a person without knowing who they are. I love the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” I live by those terms. Let people have freedom to express themselves without persecution. We live in the land of the free, but not completely.
I think about the don’t ask don’t tell policy. I am sad that homosexuals are restricted to be what they are. They are people just like you and I and should have the right to be as open as anyone else. A soldier is still a soldier gay or not gay. A straight person is trained to be a solider, a homosexual is train the same they are. So why would it matter if they were a homosexual person. Why hide it?
Are we restricted to be free because some people are not ready for change or are old school minded? Why should a person be restricted because another person feels uncomfortable with their way of life. It is time to make a stand.
Ok, I agree with you that all people should be treated the way you wanted to be treated. I am all for people being nice to one another. You talked about a Drag Queen coming into Walgreens and you helped them and treated them nicely just as you would anyone else. I would do the same. I come into contact with so many different people and I treat them all the same. I may not like what I see or know, but I would never be rude, or mean, or spiteful towards anyone. But I definitely do not agree with how television is becoming, and I will not get over it. I have seen some pretty disgusting things on television and I feel a lot of it is inappropriate. I would hope to God, when I have children that it doesn’t get worse. I don’t like parental control and I think it is ridiculous. I really don’t want to have to deal with that. I should be comfortable with my future eight or ten you’re old or even younger or fifteen year old is flipping through the channels and comes across some of those disgusting things on TV. I also don’t want my children getting used to the fact that cursing is ok because they see it on TV. I know sooner or later they are going to hear it in life but that doesn’t mean it has to be on TV. I think it’s disgusting what comes out of people’s mouths these days. The kids are getting younger and younger with these fowl mouths and it’s only creating disrespectful little brats. When I have children they will be respectful, and if I have a son he will be gentlemen and if I have a daughter she will be lady like. Cursing is not lady like or gentlemen like. This in turn would make people a little more respectful to one another. During this disagreement I did not use one curse word or censoring like I was going to, and I feel it seems a bit more respectful. And believe it or not I am a twenty-two year old woman and I feel more young adults should act more respectful, especially if they already have children. Who wants to teach their children bad habits?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately hypocrisy and close-minded individuals will always exsist in America, it will actually remain throughout the world because hypocrisy and close-minded views are part of the negative qualities of human nature. I also must say that it is unfortunate that our nation will more than likely never move on or stop repeating the same mistakes over and over again because most people never learn. Will things like that ever vanish; unfortunately no it will not as long as humans exist, but there is a way to get through all of that negative influence that lingers over America. Well, each person has a different method of doing so, I personally turn a blind eye and a deaf ear unless America has an issue that involves me but until then I shall remain in the shadows.
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