This week I had the opportunity to be at home with not much to do. That rarely ever happens and is usually forced on me by a doctor, just like this week. So I watched a bit of TV, again something I don't do a lot of. Usually Sunday nights for Extreme Home Makeover and now Thursday night for Big Bang Theory. Those are my two favorite shows. I even have a news app on my phone because I rarely get to watch the news, although I try.
Anyways, I have to say that I enjoy the Ellen Degeneres show. You can't help but smile and enjoy yourself. Her show has three things I like, positive attitude, comedy and music. Ellen also has a serious yet compassionate side as well. Ellen recently did a Public Service Announcement or it was a clip from her show that has been floating through cyber space on Facebook and Email. Her PSA had to do with the death of a young man which resulted from bullying because of his sexual orientation. I saw this clip and thought of a recent conversation with a friend from high school.
I have not seen this friend in years and was reunited through Facebook over a year ago. Recently we were talking about some of the things from high school which we did together. I helped to get him his first job, he took me on my first catamaran ride and we have been dancing countless times. We even won a dance contest one summer at the community center at the NK Town Beach. Trust me it is not because I am a stellar dancer, I am not. "Music moves me, but it moves me ugly" However, my friend is an excellent dancer and I could follow his lead. We won a John Cougar Mellonkamp album. Yep, Album-nice black, shiney vinyl. I am that old. Anyways, during the conversation another mutual friend from high school jumped on. We were so surprised when our friend told us that he had been picked on/bullied for being Jewish and possibly gay. I never saw it but I was not with him 24/7. I think our friend was lucky that he was able to have friends around him that did not think of him in that way or treat him in that way. I think that he is even luckier or blessed to have the strength to overcome the bullying. As seen lately in the news, not everyone does.
My friend is openly gay and I appreciate his honesty. I am grateful that he is accepting of me just as I am of him. I am a conservative Mormon woman who is friends with a gentleman who is an atheist and gay. We are on totally opposite spectrums for our value systems. I did not suspect that he was gay when we were in high school; however, I wasn't surprised when I found out he was. I love to read about many of his adventures. He has an amazing hobby of creating the most beautiful food, visually and how he writes about the ingredients. He has also taken the opportunity to pursue a quest to learn the Spanish language by immersing himself in Spain and learning the culture as well. How fun would that be?
Why would I mention all of this? The relevance of the news and hatred. It amazes me that after so many centuries of so many different peoples and cultures that there is still so much hatred in this world.
In a high school art class I was assigned to do a political/news cartoon. I chose to do one about the bombing of abortion clinics. Again, I am a conservative LDS woman and do not believe in abortion. However, I also do not agree with those who show hatred for things people disagree with. To me it makes no sense to kill a bunch of people in an explosion because they killed babies. In my book, any type of murder is just that murder. I don't understand those who do things in the name of "righteousness" or "goodness" and are doing things which are unkind or irresponsible as well. People always seem to find a way to try and justify bad behavior. There is no justification.
I don't think that the parents of the people who have been bullying others set out to raise a person who would intentionally humiliate someone. I know I am naive and believe the good in everyone one. However, I don't think people realize how hatred begins. It begins slowly. It may be as simple as saying "I hate you" for someone not liking a behavior and then that "I hate you" may flow over to a whole race/gender. For example, I could easily hate an entire culture for some of the things that I have had to deal with in my life. I do not, I still find it colorful and embracing. I do not hate all men because I don't like what one man has done. However, with some people that is all it takes. I can truly say that I do not hate a single person and if you were to hear some things I have endured in my life you would think that I should hate so many. I do not. It is a choice, It is my choice.
It is the same with religion. There are many who hate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and anyone who may be affiliated with them. We are hated for what we believe, just like what my friend may have experienced while he was growing up Jewish. I truly believe that man can worship how, where and what they may. However, I should be allowed that same freedom. This comes through acceptance. For me it is a very Christian prospective as I believe Christ accepts us all; however, it is a very humanistic view as well.
Acceptance can be associated with respect. When we are unable to accept others we find it easier to disrespect someone and can justify this. There is no justification. That little bit of lack of respect fuels anger and hatred which leads to bullying.
I wrote a little blurb "about me", It is appropriate for this. I don't expect anyone to do anything that I am not willing to do myself. If I don't believe in your value system then I will quietly accept this as long as you are not hurting me or my family or friends. There are those in my family with whom I do not agree with their values or how they treat people. Any one of them could vouch for the fact that I remain silent unless you are trying to take advantage of or hurt me or my family. If you expect me to accept you then you have to be willing to accept me.
I have witnessed bullying upfront and personal. It is unacceptable - NO MATTER WHAT THE REASON. I hope we, as citizens of the world, can all find acceptance for each other. I appreciate my friends and family who can accept me for who I am and can find value in what I have to offer the world.
Time to get off my soap box.
