Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Can't we just get along?

A while back I decided to stop posting all the political and heavy stuff here and instead just try to be entertaining, but every once in a while I slip, sorry about that. Today is one of those slip days. I read about this in a post by the Bloggess, and felt bad enough that I have to repeat most of her information.

Back in March ago we read a news article on a gay high school student that wanted to attend her senior prom, bringing her girlfriend as her date. It was originally reported in this newspaper article. The school district refused to let her attend, and canceled the prom. Eventually the Civil Liberties Union went to court where a judge told the district they were wrong. The judge did not order the school district to hold the prom, as supposedly the parents would put an even on and invite the girls.

Well, it ends up that the prom was held last week and the two girls attended, but found out they were sent to an alternate prom with only seven other students, while the rest of the school attended the real prom elsewhere. This was reported in an Advocate article. The story was repeated in the Huffington Post and in another story about the fake prom.

I was talking with B about this over dinner, and her immediate question was 'down South?'. Sorry to day she was right, it's in Mississippi. Sorry for those who live there, but I still picture the movie Easy Rider whenever I think of the South. And that’s after eight months living in Memphis and traveling around a bit, so to me, yes, the South. But from other stories it seems this kind of stuff happens all over. The military 'don't ask don't tell' policy is also a bunch of crap, continued by the same small minded mentalities at higher levels and in Congress.

I find it difficult to understand people, especially those that have such closed minds that they cannot accept that not everyone is just like them. Whether it is religion or sex or color or home state or favorite sports team, there will always be someone that does not think or act like you do. The world is a nicer place because of diversity, and at times I do run across things that bother me, but I feel everyone has a right to their beliefs, as long as they don't infringe on someone else. If you don't like something just turn around and walk away and stay in your safe world, don’t try to force others to think like you do - that never works out.

Can’t we just all get along?

14 comments:

Virginia Gal said...

That is so sad, reading your story, I just felt a sadness coming over me. To think, these two girls were so excited about their prom and than it seems the entire school was in on some big joke against them. How mean!

Ms-Chievous said...

Joe.
I love your brain.
That's all.

The Blonde Duck said...

I wonder why the girls had to go to an alternate prom. That doesn't make sense.

And the pie bird gets used, but in lattice and cream pies you don't need one!

duffylou said...

Found your blog through BBP. I am personally acquainted with this type of prejudice as my son is gay. A few years ago there was a whispering and pointing when he danced with his boyfriend at my nephew's wedding. We live in Ohio. I've gone back and read some of your posts. You have an interesting point of view. I think I will be reading a lot more tomorrow. We are expecting rain. Glad I found you.

Jenny, the Bloggess said...

Amen.

SOL's view said...

The rest of the school must have been in on it for absolutely no whisper to surface about the difference in prom venues.

For humans, some of them can be so inhuman.

My youngest daughter's school probably got around that issue by not allowing anyone from outside the school to attend....

Colleen Barnett said...

I read that story here, too, Joe and I have to say, I felt terribly sad for the poor kids. Imagine your anger and frustration at having been conned. I agree, there is no need for that type of discrimination. We should love our kids no matter what, and for a school to show that kind of attitude toward something that represents the culmination of her whole school experience (her prom), well that just leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

*end rant*

Lacie @ Creative Attempts said...

I have so much to say about this but i will try to keep it short. i have no problem with people being thier true self but i do have a problem with people using things like sexual orientation and persecution as an excuse to get involved in some seriously scary substances sorry for the vent

Rob said...

Joe - yup, mean-spiritedness is alive and well in Mississippi. I hope the nine students at the "alternate" prom (wonder who the other seven outcasts were?) took pride in being at the better event - the one without the nasties at it.

And I can't even begin to imagine what seriously scary substances "Lacie" must be involved in if she thinks people use sexual orientation or persecution as an "excuse" for drug abuse.....

Anonymous said...

Joe, it's your blog and you should post whatever you want. Plus, typically this is how I find about stuff like this because I don't pay as much attention to the news as I should.

As for this story, it is absolutely ridiculous that this happened. Such total bad word, bad word, bad bad bad word!!!!! Why is this such a big deal? So she wants to prom with her girlfriend? Big whoop. Why shouldn't she be able to do this? This makes me sad.

Anonymous said...

A month ago I was exactly feeling how you are feeling now, in pain, crying, heart broken, and then I found this site saveabreakup.com and I followed their instructions, I had my girlfriend come back to me in no time so fast !! I was so so happy and I'm still very happy, don't give up! I suggest you view the free videos that tell you what to do on saveabreakup.com

Unknown said...

I am very happy to read this. This is the kind of details that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
sherwani for grooms

Unknown said...

Hm, I’m just comfortable with this but still not entirely convinced, hence i’m going to research a touch more. car hire in jodhpur

Anonymous said...


Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon every day. It will always be helpful to read through articles from other writers and use something from their websites.