Niggas and Homos and Jews, Oh My!
This photo is part of a project by the handsome Kelly at “Rambling Along in Life With A Stern Point of View.” In honor of PRIDE 2007, he has challenged other bloggers to post the image to celebrate diversity and I wanted to take part. (I’m up for a couple of other challenges Kelly might have for me, too. 
)
The picture, which Kelly took himself, displays a rainbow being formed by the sunlight hitting a fountain at the right angle and represents Mother Nature’s approval of acceptance.
What’s coolest (to me) about Kelly’s Diversity Challenge is that it’s not just about acceptance for gay men and women, but about acceptance of all people…acceptance for being themselves. Every human deserves acceptance. Even straight white ones, too.
I think sometimes Pride gets so wrapped up in being gay that it’s forgotten that there is a ton of diversity among us. There is a lot more to each of us than just where we park our peckers at night.
So be careful crossing the road in front of that Toyota on your way to the ATM late at night, worried that you’ll get a cap popped in yo ass while you withdraw the last of your savings to pay off that gambling debt before you get wacked. Think twice about whether you really want to spend that last dollar you have left over on that Slurpee…the clerk’s Reebok’s might explode while you’re there. But, above all…don’t drop the soap.
Or better yet, just think about how dull and empty life with be without a bit of Diversty.
June 13th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
. . . but about acceptance of all people…acceptance for being themselves. Every human deserves acceptance. . .
Wise words indeed. Sadly, not all people can achieve that. For some, it’s just lip service. Perhaps someday we’ll get there, huh?
June 13th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Thanks for taking this particular challenge (wink) and thanks for the kind words… happy pride
June 13th, 2007 at 10:01 pm
How do we accept ‘non-acceptance’? Can we find that much of the ‘divine’ in ourselves? I still wrestle with this.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:24 am
I really have to say that I loved what Curtis had to say about self-acceptance. I think that is the biggest challenge that society needs to overcome.
Also, was really interested in what Kelly mentioned as I have asked the question many times if I am a hypocrit because the one thing I can not tolerate is intolerance. So does that make me what I hate?
There is one thing though that I have been thinking about since Pride 2006 in Toronto last year; I noticed that the celebrations had become so much about diversity that the underlying issue of “gay” pride and rights were pushed aside.
OK so maybe underlying is not the right word but I guess I am inclined to use it because in looking around at all that was going on I felt that “other groups” were using “gay pride” as an opportunity to seek recognition and support while gay men and women still aren’t recognised as equals.
I guess the best way to put it would be to say that I didn’t feel like I had spent a week at a gay pride celebration but rather a diversity celebration.
While I am all for diversity and acceptance I left feeling a bit disappointed as I felt that the challenges that gay men and women face day to day and the struggles ,of those that were before us, were overshadowed.
June 14th, 2007 at 4:20 am
Yes, you are right.
June 14th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
happy pride.
June 15th, 2007 at 7:50 am
I liked your second to last paragraph. Very well worded. Oh and there’s a “ger” at the end of “nig”. Keep those people in their place!
June 15th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Jesus fuck…I happened to be drinking something when I read Jay’s comment and sprayed beverage everywhere. I heart you, Jay.
July 9th, 2007 at 9:21 am
so well articulated.