20100601.010 ARE YOU . . .
Again, I have come to the point of realizing that I have not posted a BLOG in quite some time. In fact, I actually had to go to my BLOG site to read my last BLOG so I would know what I have already talked about.
So here it is, June 1, 2010. In 5 more days (June 6th) my mom & dad will celebrate their 54th Wedding anniversary, and I will celebrate my 14th year of Ordination into Christian Ministry. In 6 more days (June 7th), I will remember what would have been my 13th anniversary, and in 9 more days (June 10th), I will remember the 4th anniversary of Kate’s death. Of course, none of this has anything to do with this BLOG, other than they are things to remember and contemplate.
The reason for the title to the BLOG and for me writing this BLOG is because of several events that have happened to me. The first event was in talking with a friend. I was noting that this friend of mine, who is obviously straight, also has some gay qualities. I see these qualities as positive attributes and I wish others could see how someone can embody a wider framework of sexuality. Since I felt there needed to be a name associated with it, I said that he has “GAY HIGHLIGHTS” the sad thing is that neither he nor his wife see this as something that is positive in his life. The second event was when I recently watched a video on YOUTUBE that caught me off guard. Unfortunately I can’t find it right now, but the gist of the video was someone wondering why people are so upset with being called gay when they are not, and yet if someone who is gay is called straight, those of us who are gay are supposed to NOT take offense at being assumed to be straight. How interesting the double standard by which we all live. But, as with all of my BLOGS, I want to expand this view. Imagine, if you will, the quality or sense that you might dislike in a person. And imagine someone asking you the question with that sense used. For instance, would you be offended if someone asked you “ARE YOU LATINO?” “ARE YOU TALL?” “ARE YOU LEFT HANDED?” “ARE YOU ASIAN?” “ARE YOU FAT?” “ARE YOU POOR?” “ARE YOU REPUBLICAN?” “ARE YOU DEMOCRATE?” “ARE YOU STRAIGHT?” “ARE YOU THIN?” “ARE YOU SHORT?” “ARE YOU . . . ?”
The point that I am trying to make is this; why do we assign value to qualities or characteristics of people? Why do have the inherent need to judge others as well as ourselves on what qualities we harbor in our lives? And why is it that when we see something positive in someone else, no matter how much we try to point out the positive quality, if that person sees it as a negative, it is nothing but negative to them?
I wish I had the answers to these questions. Unfortunately, the only one who can answer these questions is you, whoever you may be. - Blessings always - David L.
(A postscript: I want to thank Sindy, Alex, and Aaron, in sharing their thoughts and ideas with me on this topic. I am so very lucky to have such wise and wonderful friends!)
Well, one must take into account that we are all human - first off. Then we must look at the things that shaped our society and the way that we were raised. It's one thing to understand something on a conscience level, quite another to rearrange one's framework of understanding. It doesn't excuse someone from being ignorant or illogical, but it does help those who wish to be more enlightened to live with them. I believe our understanding will come in God's good time. The most important thing is that no one should ever persecute others in any way for any reason --- they should love them well, just as Jesus does.
ReplyDeleteYou can answer these questions as well as anyone else. Answering is a process of questioning. What I have disliked about labels and stereotypes is that they are a lot more about amputation. In order to fit anyone in most categories, a lot must be left out. So labels, in a wierd way, are more significant in what they DON'T say, than in what they try to say.
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