From: anderson@macc.wisc.edu (Jess Anderson)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Inequities and Intolerance
Date: 1 Sep 92 12:52:13 GMT
Organization: Madison Academic Computing Center, UW-Madison


In article <4869@news.duke.edu>
dblakele@hercules.acpub.duke.edu (Dean Blakeley) writes:

>I think in the recent brouhaha over redefining masculine
>roles and self-imposed barriers because of perceived
>internal and external bias one particular thought comes to
>mind.  The world we live in is, or has become, a dangerous
>and fragile place.

One could hardly disagree.  But it has always been a
dangerous and fragile place.  It's true it may be more so
now, though I think the present is considerably less
threatening *immediately* than at a number of times during
the cold war.  But I see a very clouded future, both
internationally and domestically, right ahead, if the more
ominous signs manifest in various malign ways.

To skip over quite a bit of what you wrote to the parts more
directly concerned with soc.motss and its denizens:

>I'm tired of standing back and watching what's happening to
>those around me and the inequities that are heaped upon
>them.

Anyone who's been here a while knows that I'm an advocate of
the virtues of patience.  But it makes no sense to people
waiting for centuries for just ordinary civility, not to
mention full equality, that they should continue to wait.
Racism has been around too long.  Sexism has been around too
long.  Homophobia has been around too long.  Waiting has only
allowed the status quo (which for the affected groups means:
no status) to become more firmly entrenched.

>This is a group representing the idea that they are
>different from the cultural norms.  This is a group who are
>defying those around them.  This is a group who feels that
>they are normal human beings and entitled to be concerned
>about everyday things--healthcare, housing and job security.
>This is a group who is trying to educate those around them
>that they have dignity and purpose.

In a general way, I think all of that is true.  But it's
also evident that it's even more diverse than that, for it
includes people whose understanding of equality, prejudice,
tolerance, and so forth is not seldom hard to distinguish
from that of the oppressive elements in the majority
population.  On top of that social enemy within, there is the
enemy within each of us individually.  I've never met a
person, including myself, who was free of racial prejudice
or free of sexist prejudice or free of homophobia.

It's a separate argument, and not one I want to pursue right
now, but I think because we are born and raised in this
society, there is no way for us to be completely free of our
internal prejudices of these kinds.  But we can do a lot,
and of course we should.  Indeed, trying is about all we
*can* do, I think.  It seems to me, and therefore I go on
about it at every opportunity, that the interior frontier
of tolerance is by far the most significant one.

I don't know about others, but I do know that every time I
look into myself for signs of prejudice, I can find it.  I
do know that every time I make an effort to be more
tolerant, I find a way to make at least some increment of
progress on that front.  As I think needs very little
demonstration, the world presents chances to test what one
has discovered very readily.  And you don't have to go very
far to find these challenges, because they're right here,
all around us, even in this group (or maybe that should be
*especially* in this group).

>This is a group who are trying the enact a paradigm shift,
>but threaten the present power structure and their rigid
>ideals thus bringing a backlash against them.

I think it's a skewed conception that we *bring* a backlash
upon ourselves.  This is key to an ongoing discussion, of
course.  

But yes, a paradigm shift is what's involved, and yes, it
threatens the present power structure in various ways.  In
the interests of our self-preservation, I think we can
hardly find out too much about the perceived threats, about
the violent thrashing about that results from such
perceptions, or about suitable strategies and tactics for
meeting the possible outcomes.

>All I am seeking is some simple advice.  How does one
>advocate tolerance to those around them?  How does one say
>that a racist, sexist, or gay- bashing "joke" is a cruel and
>viscious weapon?

Simple, eh?  :-) I expect you'll get as many answers to
these questions as you have answerers.  As already
mentioned, I think the first (and maybe most important)
frontier is *inside*.  I think that all, or very nearly all,
human beings are intensely creative creatures.  With a
greater degree of inner confidence and understanding, it
seems to me the prospects are markedly enhanced, so that
when some form of intolerance manifests around us, we will
have a ready and effective response.  I would hope it would
be a constructive and proactive process, rather than merely
a reaction.

Specifically, in the case you mention, I think it's fine, if
possible, to come right and say what you said: such a "joke"
is not a joke at all, it's a dehumanizing, disgusting
example of the worst that people can think, feel, or do.

>How does one work for change?  You have lived through what
>I'm only recently developing an awareness of.

Tend your orchards.  Take the long view.  Be ready to act at
a moment's notice.  After all, your very next step may be
your last, and you don't want to be swept off the planet
without completing today's progress toward the fulfillment
of your own visions.

>There is a wonderful diversity in our existence in many
>different ways.  This is a forum where that diversity is
>vigorously debated on a daily basis.  Share some of that
>wisdom you have gained in your own existence.

I'm chary of referring to anything I think as wisdom.  But I
would much rather be thought a fool by some and attacked for
my views by others than not to speak up.  And when there's
flak (it's inevitable, in fact if there's none you're
probably playing it too safe), as is quite on view lately,
that presents only minor problems.

Although I think I have gained much from the many interior
dialogs between the parts of my life experiences, I have
also gained much from opening myself up to others, from
being willing to risk receiving things that could change me,
perhaps change me a lot.  Sure enough, some of them have.

It's on this basis that I often say it's harder to receive
than to give.  Giving costs me almost nothing, because I
have an infinite storehouse of things that count, of things
that last.  I used to be concerned that I would run out, but
no longer.  

Receiving, by contrast, is all crisis, rather like taking
drugs: you don't *know* what's going to happen, because the
world is an indeterminate place.  To operate in an
environment where many wonderful things are flowing toward
you every day, you *have* to be flexible, because each thing
has its own appropriate response or reaction in relation to
the source and to its effects upon you.  Since you don't
know what may happen, you benefit from being delicately
attuned, light and fleet in your reactivity or sensitivity,
and willing to go with what develops.  

There's no denying that sometimes what develops is a very
major threat to your life, espeically intellectually or
emotionally.  But your best chance of meeting that challenge
well is to be confident in yourself, free of guilt,
accepting of your limitations, and able to enjoy anything
and everything as best you can.  Finally, there is *no*
tonic as fine as a sense of humor about yourself.

Hope this responds at least in part.

<> All that is human must retrograde, if it do not advance.
<> -- Edward Gibbon
-- 
Jess Anderson <> Madison Academic Computing Center <> University of Wisconsin
Internet: anderson@macc.wisc.edu <-best, UUCP:{}!uwvax!macc.wisc.edu!anderson
NeXTmail w/attachments: anderson@yak.macc.wisc.edu  Bitnet: anderson@wiscmacc
Room 3130 <> 1210 West Dayton Street / Madison WI 53706 <> Phone 608/262-5888