...but...but I like being an elitist. Nothing wrong with being elite...if you earn the attitude, anyway.


As for the day of silence...eh, I don't know. I don't talk much as it is.

I do know that people like playing the victim...it doesn't matter what they use as justification: race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, yadda yadda yadda. As long as someone can cry "Oh the world is against me!" they feel better for some reason. Not the tune I like to sing, that's for sure. Stuff happens, deal with it.

~Zoo

I think we're all victims of "yadda yadda yadda" :~D

I agree with you here.

It is an abrogation of responsibility.  If you can find a scapegoat (as old as time itself), then you dont have to do anything about your actions/behaviour as now it is beyond your control.  That is why victim mentality is so enticing to the lazy.  They get a free ride out of it.

Note for the dense: Saying that all people playing victims are lazy is not saying that all victims are playing, or are lazy.

I think you'll see much more, for example, now Rev. Wright is claiming the media is against the black church. Everything I have seen appears to be about him, not his or any other church. I realize there are similar churches, with similar sermons and if preaching hate helps there congregation feel better about themselves that's what they should do. That message seems to have been profitable for the reverend. But it seem to me that he is on a one man (abet with many supporters) crusade to antagonize racial tensions. It made me sick yesterday when I saw part of his press conference and he hid behind being a former Marine to "prove" his patriotism. Now I have a few Marine friends and I think very highly all our service folk, but I could help think, "wasn't Lee Harvey Oswald also a Marine". Rev. Wright dishonors the Corp when he makes excuses for his hate comments. Past deeds do not excuse present performance.

Dr. Guy:

Exactly!  It all goes back to one of "parated2k's (not so) famous sayings"... "If your solution to your problem requires more from everyone else than yourself, it's just an excuse.

 

Nitro:

Inspiring soliliguey, but what does this have to do with Day of Silence?  ;~D

 

Just another example of the victimization wave that seems so popular this year. Sorry it's a bit off topic.

Is it just me or does it seem like Christians have become a bunch of whiners, perpetually complaining about the choices and actions of others and lamenting how poorly they (Christians) are treated and how they (Christians) are overlooked or not included?

I'm sorry there's not a Day of Silence for Christians (although according to Lula, one is in the works), but if you want one, make one. Who cares if other people choose to be silent to support something? How does Day of Silence hurt Christian kids?

Nope, its not just you, it seems that way to me too. I just can't figure out by, but for some reason, they seem to have some sort of martyr or persecution complex...

Well, that and the last few decades have seen them lose their extra privileges or people fighting to rid them of said privileges.

Brandie:

Actually, I'd say the same thing if is was a "day of silence" for Christian kids.  This has nothing to do with which brand of "victim" the schools are singling out, but the fact they are singling out anyone at all.

If the "day of silence" was something students decided to participate in, that would be one thing, but schools are now making it a school sponsored event.  It is not the place of the school to officially sanction something like this. 

My question would be, how are students or faculty who choose not to participate treated?  Is there "name calling", "harrassment", or "bullying" thrown their way?

I have my differences with the whole concept of the "day of silence", but that's just my opinion.  I also recognize students right to participate if they choose... my question is, are the right of those who don't choose to participate also respected?  This is a question because I don't know the answer, and I'd like to hear from parents or students who might know.

SetarcosNous:

Oh, please don't take this article as an accusation of "martyr" or "persecution".  I'm the last one to be mistaking those for simple harrassment, bullying and name calling.  In fact, my point is that most the people who are taking part in this activity have never been persecuted or martyred for any reason at all.  Name calling and such has been going on forever, and if schools want to have a day to bring that issue to attention that is fine, but make it about name calling, bullying and harrassment in general.  Don't make it a day of institutionalized discrimination where one group is singled out, especially if it opens those who choose not to participate to the very treatment being protested by the "day of silence."

Good to know.


I think it is probably meant to be more a sign of support. Perhaps as a way for people to passively show their disapproval for such behavior. Maybe a way to "make up" for not saying anything when it has happened. I hope you get what I am trying to say.


I wouldn't describe what the school as doing as discriminatory. It is only discriminatory in the sense that it almost forces the bigots to reveal themselves or to feel suppressed as they make others feel. Despite what I just said, I think I would pretty much agree with you. It is not a school's place to promote or accommodate such things. I actually really get tired of people trying to turn children into activists for any cause. Most (not all) are too young and inexperienced to fully understand what it is they are supporting or decrying. Those serious enough about their studies to recognize that it really is out of place in school might also get wrongly seen as bigots for not participating.

At least they are having a day of silence against hate speech directed towards GLBT instead of actually supporting GLBT... I've heard some strange stories about promoting GLBT in sex-ed/health classes, but can never be sure if the story is being blown out of proportion by the storytellers and they never have references to support them.

Absolutely.. I have heard stories about what is taught in some classes too.  Of course, it's usually third or fourth party, so I have no idea how widespread it is.  I also agree that all to often a call to end harrassment is seen as supporting the harrassed group, which it might be, but not automatically so.

Oops, just noticed I used the word "support" in two different contexts.

For clarity:

I meant in the emotional/defensive sense. "Shoulder to cry on"/"Shield against assailants".


I meant in the promotional/endorsement sense.

Yeah, I understood your intent.

I thought so, I just wanted to make sure.