I am a BIG believer in the importance of service - of getting outside ourselves and making a difference. Of doing all we can to leave the world a better place than we found it. Our country is in need of such a massive overhaul - it's going to take a shift in thinking and action by all of us. Inauguration is tomorrow. We are off to an excellent start.
Doesn't have to be something big - just do something today to make someone's day better. Make someone smile. Do something without being asked - like adopt and beautify a neighborhood. A neighborhood full of, oh say... midgets.
I CALL THAT ONE!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Michelle Obama - USAService.org
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Then I call the neighborhood of faggots. Or niggers.
See how those words make you feel? That's how the word midget makes me feel.
Just something to think about.
I have to agree with anonymous on this one. Most of your blogs are hysterical. And I think poking fun of people is, for the most part, harmless and really quite entertaining. Hell, I laugh at myself all the time!. But it is quite offensive to make fun of someone based on attributes or characteristics with which they are born. I don't know - I'm a pretty good sport and not much gets to me, but this type of thing instinctively always has.
Jennifer
Hey "Anonymous"- comparing Emily's good natured blogs about little people to the usage of the ugly, hate-filled words 'nigger" and "faggot" is utterly ridiculous. There is no hatred or anger in any of her posts about midgets. Stop taking yourself so seriously and looking for offense where none is intended.
And Jennifer, humor based on attributes and characteristics have always been one of the foundations of humor. Don't tell me you didn't laugh at Tina Fey's impersonation of Sarah Palin.
Irreverence is one of the best things about Emily's blog here, so brace yourself... there's more to come!
Love you Em. Keep it up. This is my favorite site.
Aaron W.
Aaron,
I simply pulled out the word "midget" and replaced it with "faggot" or "nigger." There was no more hatred in what I said than there was in the original post, unless the hatred is contained in the specific word at the end of the sentence - which is sort of my point, in case you missed it.
So you're saying if I use the word "nigger" or "faggot" with a smile on my face, as a punchline, and deep down inside I'm a super nice "good natured" guy, then it's OK? I don't think you need to have hatred or anger to be a racist; in my experience, a lot of prejudice or discrimination has its roots in just plain ignorance.
And your argument against Jennifer is flawed - she didn't say making fun of someone for attributes and characteristics is wrong. She said attributes or characteristics "with which they are born" You bet I laughed at Tina Fey's impression of Sarah Palin, but I don't think I'd have laughed at jokes about her son with Down's Syndrome. See the difference?
I also really enjoy Emily's musings and her unique take on life. She's a great and entertaining writer (a skill I obviously don't share...) That's why I follow this blog and took the time to post in the first place. If I thought Emily was really an evil person, I wouldn't bother. I just think she might not understand the way those words are taken sometimes.
btw - my name's JD - didn't mean to be anonymous the first time - just forgot to add my name there.
Keep up the good work, Emily - love your blog - sorry if I came off a little harsh, it's just an issue that's pretty close to my heart.
JD
JD,
One cannot "simply" replace a relatively mild word like 'midget' with the always ugly words 'nigger' and 'faggot'. Your post implied the words were all equally offensive... to you at least. I was merely stating that such a comparison was over the top.
The word 'midget' may be slightly politically incorrect, but it is simply not as emotionally charged as are the two other terms, which are almost always used to offend and hurt. Their employment is usually motivated by bigotry and hatred... and yes, ignorance. But today, ignorance isn't much of a defense.
I did not accuse you of having any hatred. I questioned your hyper-sensitivity to Emily's posts. She will continue to use the word midget, have fun with her love of little people and we will all have a good-natured laugh about it.
As to Jennifer's comments, I understood her perfectly. Of course a person's attributes and characteristics are usually things they are born with. Tina Fey made fun of Caribou Barbie's-- er---Sarah Palin's accent and her mannerisms... things which are hard-wired in her.
Again, folks need to dial back the offense meters. Emily having fun with midgets is not akin to making fun of people with Down Syndrome. I have a daughter with Down Syndrome, and I don't get pricked in the heart when someone uses the term 'retarded'. They are not taking personal specific aim at people with special needs. It's just an expression.
You and I love Emily's writing, we merely disagree over the use a single word. She understands quite well how some people take the word midget, but she will not edit herself to simply avoid ruffling a few feathers. She's an equal-opportunity ruffler.
And that's why so many people love her and this blog.
Aaron W.
Aaron: Thank you for your undying love and support. I adore you.
JD: You have no need to apologize for being "harsh" when you were offended. I am harsh when I am offended. I offended you and owe you the apology. Please accept it.
JD & Jennifer: Got it. I am done. For real. And, thank you.
Post a Comment