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I am by no means the authority on sanity and what is right and wrong in the world. However, some people are absolutely nuts! I’m talking nuts beyond the point of all reason. Damaging Nuts!! Should be locked up, vocal cords removed, hands bound, and put in solitary nuts. I think you get the point I’m trying to make here. Sorry, but it’s both unbelievable and infuriating that some groups, legislators, or random lunatics get away with spreading their coocoo for cocoa puffs all over the world.
For instance, I recently read an article about Tennessee banning the word ‘gay’ in elementary and middle schools. Seriously? Here’s a snippet for you…
Republican Stacey Campfield, the bill’s sponsor, has argued the move is “neutral,” according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
“We should leave it to families to decide when it is appropriate to talk with children about sexuality – specifically before the eighth grade,” he added.
Astounding! To be quite frank about it, ‘gay’ means happy by formal definition. I could see if they were banning the word on the principal that it not be used in way of an insult By punishing those that use it under negative connotation. We as a world, have been far too lenient when it comes to bullying. Harassing, in any way is bullying people! And it should be nipped in the bud! Yet, that’s not the case. We tolerate the bullies, make excuse, and then let the big bullies enact legislature so they can continue their bullying untouched. (I will enter the psychos of that well know church group that I wont mention right now as Exhibit A- but you know who they are- starts with a w end in o, and has crazy right in the middle)
Ok, so I get that maybe a teacher doesn’t want to explain to a 8-year-old what homosexuality is. I’m sure some don’t want to explain ancient civilization to some uninterested 8 year olds either, but that’s the job of an educator, educating. Any discussions of sex with an 8-year-old can quickly get out of hand; those kids can crack you up! So, lets stick with the basic knowledge for our younger kiddies. Is that too much to ask? Educate. That’s your job. Educate them about their bodies, and the changes it goes through. The mechanics of it all. Stick with the facts of biology. We have these parts, they have those parts, this is what they do.Then have a counselor (since its their job to discuss feelings) available for the tougher questions. Simple concept, right?
Ban the word ‘gay’ ? This has got to be a joke. I’m going to lay it out for you all, just in case there are a few of you who, in this day and age, still don’t GET it. Being gay is not a choice! You are in fact, born that way. The only choice being made, is wether or not to come out to your friends and family. Sadly, its been made a difficult choice because of the ignorance and hate being spread. Imagine if you will; here you are born with two left feet. Oh the shame! All of your life, you are forced to wear socks, wear uncomfortable shoes ( a left and a right even though you can’t fit into them), and never, i mean never, speak of such things. What would people think, or say or do to you if they knew you had two left feet? You are different. What if you try to steal all of their left shoes? The horror! Give me a break. You can’t help it, its how you were made. Why should you spend a lifetime being treated differently and hated for something you had no control over? Can you imagine how sad and lonely you would feel if some ignorant Republican with a left and right foot said you must never talk about it in a place you spend 8 hours of your day in, making it a shameful thing, even though it’s the farthest thing from shameful? Its how you were made!
Yeah, I said it! Made that way. And for all of you religious individuals, this is the part where you may want to get out your bible and read the part where is says that God created man in his image. ( I personally find this a strange concept) I don’t get the whole God thing. It’s completely unreasonable. I agree with the separation of church and state. Religious beliefs are just that, beliefs, opinions, a choice way of life. A quick question for all you religious folks….. Why is it you can’t read? I know the Commandments, and they sure as shit say nothing of hate, intolerance, judgement. Did it not say that judging is Gods job, not yours? Yeah, I think it does. So stop thumping your Bible and read it. Really read it! That means, stop interpreting the parts your way and only following what fits into your life. The pick and choose way of religion. It’s a simple case of shit or get off the pot. If it’s what you believe and it helps you sleep at night and do good in the world, then carry on, I’m all for it. However, if you are using this religious thing to spread evil, you may wanna ask yourself, “is this the work of the devil?” Sorry, went off on a tangent there. Again, this is probably best laid out for another discussion. Anyways…..
You would be amazed at the lack of knowledge kids these days have about themselves. Shit, I didn’t know a thing when I was younger either, but that’s because there were not any discussions of that going on in my house. The internet didn’t exist. I know, sad world, NO INTERNET!! We are supposed to be more evolved these days. No more living in the dark ages. We have color tv, integrated lives, hybrid cars, and Scooters! We are kind of a big deal. So why is it in some aspects of our lives we are still so damned ignorant? Bottom line, we need to educate our kids with the facts. Yes, any type of sex-ed with younger kids is awkward, and hilarious all at the same time. But we still need to educate no matter how awkward, funny, embarrassing, or different it may be.
I’m a parent so it’s not like I’m one of those people with an opinion on how to raise your kids when I have none of my own to base that opinion on. It’s simple. I teach my kids based on need. I tell them what they need to know right when they ask about it, so they are prepared. I answer only the questions they ask when they are young. Keep it simple stupid is a phrase I find quite effective. Children will tell you what they need to know if you just listen. As they get older, I offer a bit more info than just what they ask about. It’s all about safety at that point. I try not to lecture (though they would probably say otherwise). I just want my kiddos to know the truth. Not someones restricted view, or pieced together scenario of what they think is right and wrong based on their religious or political beliefs.
Who is to say when the right time is to tell kids about gay, straight, transsexual, drugs, peer pressure, bullying, right, wrong, or the time of day? When they ask!! Clearly there is a reason Tennessee brought up the issue. It must have been asked about, talked about, thought about. So answer for crying out loud. Keep it to the basics until they ask more. Dont be ridiculous and ban a word. Some places have banned the game of tag, saying it’s too dangerous. Are you kidding me? Stop being crazy. Its tag! Its been played ever since the beginning of time. Same goes with sex and sexuality. Gay isn’t a new subject. Stop being ignorant and banning things that don’t logically make any sense. Pull out your personal beliefs and religious rantings, and look at the facts. Educate! Information is the key to knowledge and happiness. Is this not the world of the pursuit of happiness? Stop stepping on other peoples’ happiness. It’s not hurting you or anyone else. If your core values are as strong as you preach they are, then stop being a hater.
I really hope deep down that people are not this ignorant and mean. I expect other to have common decency and common sense. I don’t think I’m asking too much for those two things. We should all expect that. If we have that, it teaches us to be tolerant and understanding of others. Its not doing damage to educate our children and ourselves with facts. The damage comes from te hate we let ourselves and others get away with and not say or do anything about it.
Come on Tennessee, you should know better!
