• One issue serving the interests of others •
[2 MIN READ]
One of my several tag lines is this: “Unless you’re trying to be offensive, I don’t usually take offense.” Sadly, I will admit that some people have been offensive and I have taken offense.
There are many ways we make generalizations about people around us. No problem. It’s when we use those generalizations to discriminate, judge, and stereotype that people get into trouble and risk offense, whether or not they mean to.
I realize I risk trivializing truly egregious behavior against people who are unlike us or the majority population, but sometimes addressing issues in lighter-hearted ways allows us to bring attention to larger societal issues without making everyone feel awkward. I’ll take the heat if I do it ineffectively, this time. As usual, I do this by pointing to the Growlers Group Run attendance picture.
Doing the backyard route from the otherwise usual mid-point.
When it was time to take it last week, someone made the automatic suggestion to arrange people based on physical stature. All eyes figuratively went to one particular runner who fits the profile of those who would benefit from a position in the front line. As someone who often himself fits in that same group, I was horrified for the one who could benefit even more. So, I said so in no uncertain terms. Given that no was trying to offend and that the issue of the individual’s stature has never defined them within the group, they didn’t take offense. But my concern did lead to the suggestion that they could stand on a large object. In taking the selfie, I then obscured that object with one even larger. They did take joy at the thought of having to bend down to frame the whole picture properly. At JRC, when we touched down midway through the run, we took another picture and managed to come up with another way to take attention away from the matter of stature.
The otherwise usual start-point.
Not every social issue of difference can benefit from such simple resolutions. And many might do well to receive no special attention whatsoever. Others might benefit from sincere inquisitiveness with full intent not to be jerky.
Those who don’t know how I think and write should take note that humor is important to me, as is making connections across various issues. So, I use size as a metaphor for other social distinctions. I also deliberately use indirect language to avoid emotionally charged terminology (impenetrable prose, anyone?). And I laugh at myself (such as by comparing my head to a rock) to lighten the tone. Finally, I use vocal exaggeration to make clear my true emotions. (The good humor in response to my mock horror confirmed that those present understood my intent correctly.) If I’ve done badly, let me know. With gentleness and sincerity, please.
-CtCloser (Calvinthe), “Negative split or positive splat” #dothedue
FINE PRINT ¶Text and photos (unless otherwise stated): Calvin Wang (Wäng), CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. ¶Cross-posted: (1) Facebook JRC Growlers Group Run (2024’05’22’W Run Message), (2) GGR email list, (3) Cerebruns by CtCloser. ¶This website posting: Cerebrun with added caption and image.
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