Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Okay, now I'm just annoyed.

First it was these guys. Then it was this guy. And these guys. To be fair, there were some others, but you get the idea.

But it's not really them [or not just them] that I find annoying. It's the realization that like colored folk and women, gays are acceptable to the public at large if they consent to remain cute, loveable, manageable, harmless pets.

I dunno. Possibly I'm over-reacting. It could just be that I can't see beyond the borders of my picturesque and picaresque home in the Redneck Riviera, where prejudices of all stripes still run amok.
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4 comments:

Unknown said...

I believe you’re on to a most valid observation.

Thursday, December 28, 2006 1:03:00 PM
Keifus said...

The Queer Eye guys seem to persist based on what they actually continue to contribute to (heh) popular society. Who misses the shallow blonde dude, who had nothing but sarcasm? But Ted Allen, the clever foodie, seems to be living on just fine. (I hope the decorator fellow is doing as well--he seemed sharp too.) That's more or less as it should be, but like you, I'm abstractedly annoyed that any of them felt (or feel) that they had to assume the mascot role in the first place.

U.S. history wrt slavery and racism is positively atrocious. I've no comment at all there.

I'm not sure I agree that women have taken on the role as mascots, however--would be interested to see you flesh out that argument. Women were segregated for far too long it's true, and unjustly, but their value to society could never really be ignored. They always had power in their own (but regrettably lesser) way. I'm so glad those time are mostly over by the way, at least where I live (and in my circle).

K (kmndne: nondenominational karma...or something)

Friday, December 29, 2006 3:52:00 PM
hipparchia said...

thanks, both of you, for the reality check.

keifus from the north doesn't quite agree with me, and nick from the south mostly agrees.

more later, keifus, i promise, on this and the subsidies.

Friday, December 29, 2006 7:01:00 PM
Keifus said...

Do you think the gay guys you mentioned were deputized by the mainstream straight community because (a) they couldn't help being their likable selves, or (b) because they adapted themselves to appease the already-held stereotypes? My thought: probably a little of both, and I'm furthermore not sure there's a huge swath of moral distance between those poles...

On women, you may be interested in a thread going on in Wikifray that Dawn Coyote started. Unless, of course, you're not interested.

K (and no hurry, don't sweat it)

Saturday, December 30, 2006 2:50:00 PM

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