Comments on: Misunderstood http://www.prosebeforehos.com/word-of-the-day/03/07/misunderstood/ The Pen Is Mightier Than Thy Wench Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:44:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Withheld Due to Inclement Weatherhttp://www.prosebeforehos.com/word-of-the-day/03/07/misunderstood/comment-page-1/#comment-11264 Withheld Due to Inclement Weather Fri, 09 Mar 2007 20:42:54 +0000 http://www.prosebeforehos.com/expo420/03/07/misunderstood/#comment-11264 I enjoyed your story, partly because I relived some of my own experiences; at one time, that sort of interlude unfolded somewhat regularly for me as I hit the local bar scene. The fact that your antagonists were allegedly married does raise eyebrows, though. Sort of makes you wonder what brand of holy union they're trying on... I've gotta call you out on just one item. You say that their orientation "...did not concern [you] in the slightest bit as [you] don’t really care about peoples [sic] choice of sexuality." I believe that you really, really do. In the same breath, you refer to them with the heterosexually-biased slur "queers", and then stress that, by implication, because they were gay, you absolutely would NOT, ever, experiment with this often socially-acceptable recreational drug. At least, not with them. Because they are gay. But let me ask you; if a duo of slovenly, heroin-addled street urchins approached you in the ideal situation, would it make a first foray into blow easier because they were straight? I know, I'm changing the variables somewhat to make a point... Hey, if one endeavors to be taken sincerely, then, it's probably best to avoid the ol', "Hey, I'm not a racist; some of my best friends are black" kind of overcompensation that folks tend to do. Not pointing fingers, just highlighting people's "natural", often-subconscious, latent bigotries. It all stems from fear, alone. If gays generally scare you before you get to know them as people, and you're not sure why that is, then, just come out and say that. And, no, I'm not exhorting you to take a flying leap into the next heap of gay Peruvian snow that you come across.... =-) I enjoyed your story, partly because I relived some of my own experiences; at one time, that sort of interlude unfolded somewhat regularly for me as I hit the local bar scene. The fact that your antagonists were allegedly married does raise eyebrows, though. Sort of makes you wonder what brand of holy union they’re trying on…

I’ve gotta call you out on just one item. You say that their orientation “…did not concern [you] in the slightest bit as [you] don’t really care about peoples [sic] choice of sexuality.” I believe that you really, really do. In the same breath, you refer to them with the heterosexually-biased slur “queers”, and then stress that, by implication, because they were gay, you absolutely would NOT, ever, experiment with this often socially-acceptable recreational drug. At least, not with them. Because they are gay. But let me ask you; if a duo of slovenly, heroin-addled street urchins approached you in the ideal situation, would it make a first foray into blow easier because they were straight? I know, I’m changing the variables somewhat to make a point…

Hey, if one endeavors to be taken sincerely, then, it’s probably best to avoid the ol’, “Hey, I’m not a racist; some of my best friends are black” kind of overcompensation that folks tend to do. Not pointing fingers, just highlighting people’s “natural”, often-subconscious, latent bigotries. It all stems from fear, alone. If gays generally scare you before you get to know them as people, and you’re not sure why that is, then, just come out and say that.

And, no, I’m not exhorting you to take a flying leap into the next heap of gay Peruvian snow that you come across…. =-)

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