I know nothing about the world of the Samurai except that they were warriors in Japan. And that they had a way. Oh, and Tom Cruise knew the last one.
National Geographic posted some photos of modern samurai culture. They’re all fascinating, but I am most taken with this one:
Hey there 2010. Do you have a minute? Apparently, some people aren’t aware that you exist. They’re trapped in 1950. And while the clothes were adorable, I could do without the attitudes toward women, minorities, gays, and people who don’t tow whatever arbitrary line was drawn by society.
I digress. You see, a young woman in Mississippi decided that even though she is gay and in a relationship with another female student, the two should be allowed to go to the prom. Crazy, I know. A gay student thinking that she should have the same rights as a straight student. Doesn’t she know where she lives? Doesn’t she know what year it is?
Wait a minute, 2010. I think maybe the school has forgotten where she lives and what year it is. Because in this day and age, and in what is supposed to be one of the greatest democracies in the world, for a school to cancel prom to keep away teh gay is ridonk. It’s so ridonk that I have to use a ridiculous word like ridonk to describe it.
This young woman, who, it must be noted, is handling the situation with courage and dignity, isn’t asking for special treatment. She’s asking for treatment. She wants to have a typical high school experience, namely, going to a dance with her significant other. She also asked that she be allowed to wear a tux. Which may have sent the powers that be into paroxysms of fear and paranoia. Apparently, a young woman in a tux is the first sign of the apocalypse.
So there you have it, 2010 (question, are you pissed that everyone is so much more freaked out by 2012? Cause you seem perfectly badass to me. Ahem.). Despite your best efforts, people continue to act like douchebags and willfully forget words like acceptance and tolerance. Do me a favor, and see what you can do about that. Oh, and for your efforts, please enjoy my favorite tweet about the debacle:
Dey really cancelled prom cuz a chik was gon’ bring her lesbian GF wit her?! Wtf! Its 2010! So wat if she’s gay, y is it botherin u?!
Pat Robertson is a vulture. And any time something awful happens in the world, he creates a story by saying something hateful and then feeding on the carcass of that story.
By now, most people have heard the incredible things he said about the tragedy in Haiti. If not, here’s a recap. Pat Robertson believes or at least would like us to think he believes that a few hundred years ago, the people of Haiti struck a deal with the devil to free them from slavery. Let me repeat that. The devil needed to be brought in to end slavery. Got it? (It would seem to me that if you are a man of God, slavery ending would be a reflection of a righteous act rather than one of evil, but I digress.) *I will admit that I chuckled when Pat was recounting this tale to his 700 Club audience and prefaced it with, “true story,” as though Pat and the truth have ever been in the same room.
Some would have us ignore Pat as he seems to thrive on publicity of any kind. I can understand that reasoning. But I think at this point, it’s time for anyone with a heart to say enough. Enough of Pat Robertson blaming Haitians. For blaming feminists. For blaming gays. Or the “Godless.” Enough of this man pretending that words of compassion cancel words of condemnation and judgment. Enough of religion being used as a bludgeon to scare people into pointing fingers when they should be holding out their hands in acceptance.
And for everything that is good in this world, I would like to say enough to men and women “of God” who use their claims of righteousness as a shield while they spew bigoted, nasty bile upon the rest of us. Tolerance isn’t an option if you are truly a person of faith. It’s a non-negotiable deal you make with yourself to open your mind to the possibility that we are all imperfect and worthy of love. Religion should not divide us. And it does. Oh, it often does. But maybe, if more people would look at Pat Robertson and his ilk and say “ENOUGH,” we could find a way to embrace true tolerance and love. Right now, I’d say we could use a whole lot of both.
I’m trying to imagine anyone walking up to these women and telling them that their love is less. Smaller. Not as worthy of being recognized by this country. I’m sure there are people who would and who have. And to them I can only ask why?
This year I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I hope that I can write that every year without fail.
I’ve learned that having a partner in crime to share the day with makes the days go blissfully sometimes unbelievably fast. And that on any given day, he and I can make a trip to the grocery store seem like an adventure and make any adventure seem possible. Loving him brings me joy; the kind of joy that comes when you find someone who can make you laugh even when you were absolutely sure that you would not laugh that day.
I’ve learned that not having a perfect family should be worn as a badge of honor. My family is flawed and frayed. And I feel their love and support surround me even when they are making me crazy. It’s the paradox of family. That we can need and love them even as they frustrate and baffle us.
I’ve learned that no matter how near or far my friends travel or move, they go with me. Time may elapse, but I carry their love and goodness every single day. Sometimes it lights my way. Sometimes it lightens my load. But always it is with me.
I’ve learned that I’m lazier than I’d like to be but also more prone to moments of creativity and passion. I’ve learned that buried beneath my insecurities is a voice I want to share even when I don’t know how.
I’ve learned that I am a very lucky woman. I trip sometimes on my journey, but I find my balance again and keep going. Grateful for all that I have.
ETA: Reading through this, I realize how many times I use the word love. That’s what I’m taking away from this year. Love, and lots of it.
If you think that liking foreign films makes you a better person than me because one of my favorite movies is Tommy Boy, I’ve got nothing for you. If you scoff at anything that’s “mainstream” or popular, please stay away from me.
Hey, I watched Spirited Away in the original Japanese. I know who Akira Kurosawa and Jean-Luc Godard are. Big fucking deal. My love of ee cummings and Kandinsky does not nullify my love of fart jokes.
Look, I know that I have better taste than most people. If you are one of my friends, feel proud, because, hello, good taste. But I am also aware that every single person on the planet thinks that what he or she loves is superior to all other crap. It’s a duh kind of statement really, but too many assholes forget that their love of The 400 Hundred Blows has no bearing on their importance as people.
I know that the United States is dumbing down at an alarming rate, but the solution isn’t to become insular and elitist. Take a cue from your kindergarten class and share with the other kids. And for the love of god, don’t feel guilty about the things that you enjoy. Unless you love Clay Aiken, in which case, make like Clay and keep it in the closet.
