Posted by Gabbix2 on September 1, 2005, at 20:43:21
In reply to Re: Whoa! Did I cause all this???, posted by lynn970 on September 1, 2005, at 19:27:05
> Dominique, just as the "looters" say that they are acting out of frustration,
Yes, but if in fact the looters said that, would you be willing to accept their behaviour? I don't think so.
Spousal abusers often say they are frustrated, or had a bad day, do we allow that as an excuse?Of course Dominique was venting out of frustration, and I think we do understand that. I totally accept Dominque's apology and this is the last I'll say on the subject. (Sorry dominique, I know this is a moot point between us now)
But when other people are *hearing* your frustration, and hearing themselves being unjustifiably catagorized, or associated with those who commit such cowardly heinous acts, it's also fine to say "Hey! that's not okay, promoting those myths about people on welfare hurts!"
Be angry at the hurricane, be angry at the looters, be angry at God, but don't blame those who are perpetually being scapegoated only because they are at the bottom of the food chain. We have feelings too, and get frustrated and hurt at continually hearing those myths about people on welfare.Welfare is difficult enough to deal with. Getting something for nothing? ha. You only have to sell your soul.
Having a mental illness and being on welfare can destroy your spirit, and the stigma and comments associated with is what pounds the final nail into the coffin.
The truth is the truth, even when inconvenient. It wasn't being used as a tool to make someone feel bad, but a refusal to roll over an play dead when being targeted again, by what amounts to an almost daily assault on our humanity and seems to be one of the few socially acceptable prejudices remaining.
Had that comment been made about Jews, or Blacks, no one would have thought it was okay no matter how frustrated the person venting was. It may have been forgiven, but no one would have been considered insensitive for speaking out about it.My silence will not protect me, and the day I become silent is the is the day I give up all hope, of bettering myself, and of feeling I deserve the most basic considerations afforded others. I will not let that happen.
As Dr. Bob has pointed out, it is when you are stressed and frustrated that you have to be most careful about what you post. And that's why it took me four hours until I could post about this topic.
poster:Gabbix2
thread:548814
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050828/msgs/549803.html