tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post5345125562667284460..comments2023-05-24T06:02:06.480-05:00Comments on Chuck's Chatter: Labels - bigotry in disguise?Chuck Doswellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-2904091270211254332012-08-25T03:26:59.731-05:002012-08-25T03:26:59.731-05:00Labels are often used, directly or indirectly, to ...Labels are often used, directly or indirectly, to represent evil. No place is that more apparent than a political campaign. Just try acquiring a couple of facebook friends who, from opposite sides of the spectrum, represent the side they oppose as, basically, the end of the country as we know it. You get the impression that you're a complete idiot for not believing either side (or both!). Yet these people, on a personal basis, can be friends like the ones Chuck disagrees with but whose company he enjoys.Billy Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-85865114946230857682012-08-10T23:03:33.902-05:002012-08-10T23:03:33.902-05:00I learned as a boy that by pretending not to care ...I learned as a boy that by pretending not to care about the insults thrown at me, they quit doing it. No fun if I didn't react to it. Then, soon after, I didn't need to pretend that it didn't bother me! I no longer cared what they thought. Children can be really cruel and you either learn how to deal with it or you wind up very unhappy. Garrett, you showed who was the better person in the long run!!Chuck Doswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-55299158166100412752012-08-10T21:11:45.122-05:002012-08-10T21:11:45.122-05:00I hasten to add that I did not change who I am to ...I hasten to add that I did not change who I am to appease the social pressure and I never will. I will improve who I am by trying to show more interest in other people's passions, but I will never renounce my passions to please them. I like what I like, and if they can't respect that then screw them. It's that in junior high it happened all the time, that made it impossible to shrug off. Of course, my reactions to their torment also perpetuated the issue.<br />I would like to believe I am a lot tougher than I used to be, although using "gay" as an insult is still a sore subject. My personal decision to chase "normal" thunderstorms in the absence of severe weather or supercells, which many even in the Meteorology program do not understand, is also a sensitive topic. However, with most people I can usually play the "joke around" game with, as long it is not done with ill-intent, although occasionally it becomes over the top.<br />But like I said, I have made peace with many of my old enemies. They grew up and apologized; I grew up during high school, at a different school, and found myself able to forgive. In that I feel the universe is in balance.Garrett Forneanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-52804701328081472012012-08-10T12:38:18.247-05:002012-08-10T12:38:18.247-05:00I feel for your pain, Garrett ... but the bullies&...I feel for your pain, Garrett ... but the bullies' ability to hurt your feelings is directly related to your vulnerability to their insults. I repeat - anyone secure in their own skin is not going to be bothered by insulting labels pinned on them by others. I hope time and experience have granted you that satisfaction with yourself that allows you to shrug off such insults. I remember the childhood mantra: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but NAMES will never hurt me!"Chuck Doswellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03099345055614900157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2759913671101666257.post-27542833395094491952012-08-09T23:29:07.735-05:002012-08-09T23:29:07.735-05:00What pisses me off above all other labels is this:...What pisses me off above all other labels is this: people using "gay" as a label or insult for someone or something they do not consider "cool" or "popular." I was at one time victim of this type of bullying to a serious degree, partially because my interests did not line up with others...as a kid I was interested in storms, volcanoes, LEGO, certain video games, and other things. I was a nerd, not a redneck or football jock. I never got into hunting or fishing - both of which popular in my part of the country (Mississippi). Other issues related to social awkwardness contributed to my being a major bully target. As the situation became intolerably hostile, I was pulled out during the middle of eighth grade and put into private schooling until high school graduation. Take it from someone who was unpopular and was bullied severely in middle school - labels hurt. I recently read somewhere that while sticks and stones can break my bones, bullying can be fatal - and it is true! <br />Fortunately I have since made peace with most of my personal enemies from those days.Garrett Forneanoreply@blogger.com