too pissed off to write Yoga for Cynics posts this week...so tried to create one in which I didn't say anything...just some pictures and quotes...that Jasper Johns American flag up there, with the opening lines of Song of Myself beneath it...followed by a postcard of a lynching and two words from Faulkner: they endured....was gonna call it Two Americas...subtle, no? Almost better to write a rant, I thought...and so ditched it...been trolling political threads in on-line forums...making ad hominem attacks...then leaving...vowing to stay away in the future...at least for the next few weeks....
earlier this week, an elderly fundamentalist Christian relative forwarded a patently racist Revelations-quoting election-related e-mail to me...I hit the reply button and let it rip...and I mean really let it rip...not that charming good-humored therapeutic yoga-retreat kinda letting it rip...(though, to be fair, I got accused of supporting the Antichrist first)...as it turned out, she forwarded it to me by accident, and apologized for the mistake...I apologized for my tone...
still, to end on an idealistic note, I’ll include here the Martin Luther King quote I was gonna put at the end of that deleted post:
Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable.... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.
and promise to try harder next time....
18 comments:
If you want to feel better, view the footage from tonight's Alfred E. Smith dinner. John McCain and Barack Obama both did well at this white tie event. I needed it, for I fear that I too am running out of steam, losing patience, getting tired of the lies and personal attacks out there.
And yes, history is definitely not about the forward march of progress. But we might just get to see some this time around.
I think I already suggested it might be healthier for your state of mind to get a backpack together and go camping by a river for the next three weeks. Where there's no wireless connections and leave your 'puter at home. Go fishing or something!
Just don't forget to vote first (still can't believe you guys have optional voting over there).
So sorry that you let loose on your poor old relo. Bet she'll never send you such things again!
Hope you've recovered sufficiently. :)
Welcome to my world! I was so mad I started a blog.
So my advice: Take all that negative energy and get creative with it
It’s good to have you back. I was starting to wonder.
Being Angry isnt a bad thing. It can be a catalyst for deeper thought and understanding. It is carthartic, it has the power and potential to remove obstacles from your mind, and allow you access to a deeper part of yourself.
Bad online behavior notwithstanding, perhaps ad hominen attacks werent the best way to handle things, but I would be willing to guess that you were returning fire.
A lot of ignorant people out there constantly insult other Americans daily, by calling into question the authenticity of our patriotism via race, gender, religioun, or party affiliation--and since they, "do it in the nicest way," that is supposed to excuse their bigotry and protect them from flames by the people they are insulting.
Its bullshit of course. So maybe as bad as it was, you did the right thing, by not letting them pretend that they didnt violate some boundary--Maybe you were the one being decent in the face of their bigotry and hate.
I am working on something that might interest you in this dialogue about racism and bigotry. come by and check it out.
though i engage in them sometimes myself, those online spitting matches are pointless. as long as you understand that, they CAN at least be a vent for your anger.
thanks for stopping by my blog and i agree, it's a nice change to see outright racism, i think the subtle bs we're used to is much more dangerous, because it's so concealed and institutionalized. This way at least it's out there, and everyone sees it and owns it and it can't be denied... wait, until it is... because people think America is post-racism (and post-feminism which is a joke as well!)...
it happens. one reason i'm impressed with obama is that he's able to stay calm and composed, even under withering attack.
mmm. I think I got over my political thread drama addiction at the end of the primary season. Not exactly a heart-healthy pastime, but neither is coffee...
...and other stuff.
and unfortunate that relatives have to quote revelations... I know all too well what that's like. Revelations is hot stuff these days.
Stepping away, walking away, from online drama now and then, is not a bad idea.
Don't let the bastards get you down!
All the comments above say everything I'll just add that I understand all you've expressed here, have some extremist in laws, and become very frustrated by the racism and hypocrisy of their "christian" beliefs. I'm grateful to have art making to release that energy for myself, the way that you have words. I would encourage you to use them (constructively!) and not stop their flow! Keep that energy moving - but first, get thee out in nature - ASAP :)
Too pissed off to blog? Why, that's the perfect time to blog. Yeah, I'm trying to get off the political posts kick. I didn't even watch the second or third debate. My brain is tired from hearing the same info and issues being debated over and over again. Everything's been put out there. I know who I'm voting for.
Yeah, if I had gotten that e-mail, I would've ripped that person as well. Ripped them as a Christian and as a human being.
Nice job letting it rip. Every once in a while you just got to...
I just realized that you cannot see my blog addy from my username.
http://apocalyptictheocracy.blogspot.com/
I agree with the others here. Being pissed is the perfect time to blog. Dont hold that in. Its the kind of stuff that eats on a person. No good can come of that. And we need every able bodied-brain in the country this cycle to overcome the forces of stupidity.
Just for a change of pace, I've "tagged" your blog. What? Well, another blogger tagged mine and in turn I tagged others. It's some mindless fun. Stop by and see if you'd like to participate....
But don't look at any of my gov'mental posts!
The racist rants and the "Aren't I funny?" nonsense circulating email lately has me deleting without opening a lot of mail from family. It's bitter and mean and the worst form of childish (churlish?). You're right to speak up.
God bless.
PS Move to Connecticut and practice medicine here. I would love a doc who could quite Faulkner at the end of the day.
Thanks for the nice stuff
Ironically, Halloween's a good time for Fundamental Xtians...they're horrifically frightening.
I understand being too pissed off to blog, hell, I've been too pissed off to even read blogs. I haven't forgotten about you though, my fine hunk of yoga meat!
I'm far too pissed off at the way things went down these last few days on the forum to do a blog review and rating on your blog so I'm not going to. I'm giving you a "rain check". Getting to know American through the forums has been a real eye opener.
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