In previous posts I have made it very clear where I stand on racist and homophobic speech. I believe that you are free to use it as much as you want - however - that freedom comes at a cost. Freedom of speech only guarantees your right to say what you want without fear of the government. Well, sir, last time I checked, my family is not the government.
If you are family, it will mean that you will have extremely limited access to my child. You will not be free to talk about how you want to round up all of the gays, send them to an island and have the island bombed. Yes, I KNOW that you aren't talking about my son when you say these things, but he is too young to know his sexuality, but he will likely have friends that are gay in the future, regardless whether he, himself, turns out to be gay. And this is not just me saying this - as his father and I agree 100% on this matter. I'm just more feisty about it than he is. Having this standard as a family does not make me crazy. The choice between your hate-filled speech and access to your grandchild is yours to make, and yours alone.
Our job as parents is to raise our child the best way we see fit. He'll be exposed to hate throughout his life, he doesn't need it from people who are supposed to care about him. That hate - whether its based on skin color, nationality, sexuality, even religion ends here. It's too easy to pass it down, generation to generation, and I'm going to do my best to keep it from happening with him. He's just too happy and carefree of a boy to poison in that way. No child should be poisoned into hating an entire group of people simply because they are different than you.
My stance is firm. When minds are poisoned - this is what you get: Scott Lively - "Defender of Marriage".
When I envision my son's future, I envision one with happiness, but it is difficult with the pain and hatred that I have come across. Some of it I have had in my own heart and, sadly, still do. I want a future where he, and others can feel free to be who they are. Where gays, atheists, and other minorities do not need as many vocal activists constantly fighting for rights that they should have had all along. A place where an atheist tattoo, bumper sticker, or billboard will not automatically make people want to resort to violence or vandalism; and instead by ignored by the countless church signs, steeples, advertisements, billboards, god-talk, radio stations, etc. found everywhere, even in the most liberal parts of this nation!
I envision a future where public schools understand the constitution, so they don't waste 1. students' time and 2. tax payer money that could be better used to, you know, educate.... or something.
This is why I draw hard lines about what I expose my child to - it's why I choose to limit my interactions with you.
And on a grander scale, it is because of you, and people like you that I do WHAT I DO.
I am vocal.
I am loud.
I am an activist.
So when you talk about me behind my back - wondering what's "wrong" with me - ask yourself if maybe, just maybe, it's YOU that I have the problem with - you know - like I've been telling you all along.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
My busy October!
Before I tackle the blog post that is stewing within my brain circuitry, let me give you a glimpse at this coming month's schedule. It's going to be a busy one!
First off: I will be headed down to the fun-filled (almost typed gun-filled! woops!) state of North Carolina in order to have some much needed mayhem and fun with some fun-loving, fat, jealous, losers that I met through Regretsy and the associated Regretsy Forums. If you love crafting, are sarcastic, funny, have a dirty mind and love to make fun of other people's ridiculousness, then those are perfect places for you.
The following weekend we will be going to the 34th Freedom From Religion Foundation Convention. New friends, Lindsay and Darrick, will also be attending and hopefully we'll be able to meet up while there! This will be my first convention geared toward one of my biggest passions, which is to protect the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. My goal is to one day be a speaker at an event such as this.
Which takes me to October 22nd - SkeptiCamp New Hampshire 2011!! This is going to be a great way for me to dip me feet into public speaking on a topic that I have such passion towards. At work I have done some minor public speaking (presenting data and protocols and such), but the topic is usually dry, very straight forward, and the finding, while interesting, aren't usually earth shattering. Also, the large, really interesting presentations at work are given to more experienced scientists - another reason to kick myself for *only* getting my Bachelor's.
I do get nervous when I have to speak in front of a crowd, but I am determined to get comfortable at it - and the only way I can do that is to take on as much as I can (at work as well).
Then, there's hubby's birthday on October 16th, so I have to work on something for that!
There are also a few other goals that I want to work on this upcoming month. The past few months, I have been going to the gym, on average, once a week, and I want to get that number up, so my goal is twice a week. I also want to do better at updating this blog, which has been done, again, on average about once per week. I want to increase my postings to 6 postings per month, minimum.
This past month has been a difficult, but rewarding month. In my effort to gain control of my mental health I made the difficult decision to cut ties, at least temporarily, with people in my life that were either too narrow-minded and hate filled or mentally unstable and constantly negative. I made this decision not only for myself, but for my family. My son deserves a happy mother and he deserves to be surrounded by people who will love him no matter what. My sisters and I are close, my mental state is much more positive than it has been in previous months. I am coming out of my shell - I have been active in two outside groups, making new friends, and overall life is good. I want it to continue in that general direction - ups and downs, but more ups, and the dips being a bit shallower than they have been, so they're easier and quicker to get out of.
First off: I will be headed down to the fun-filled (almost typed gun-filled! woops!) state of North Carolina in order to have some much needed mayhem and fun with some fun-loving, fat, jealous, losers that I met through Regretsy and the associated Regretsy Forums. If you love crafting, are sarcastic, funny, have a dirty mind and love to make fun of other people's ridiculousness, then those are perfect places for you.
The following weekend we will be going to the 34th Freedom From Religion Foundation Convention. New friends, Lindsay and Darrick, will also be attending and hopefully we'll be able to meet up while there! This will be my first convention geared toward one of my biggest passions, which is to protect the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. My goal is to one day be a speaker at an event such as this.
Which takes me to October 22nd - SkeptiCamp New Hampshire 2011!! This is going to be a great way for me to dip me feet into public speaking on a topic that I have such passion towards. At work I have done some minor public speaking (presenting data and protocols and such), but the topic is usually dry, very straight forward, and the finding, while interesting, aren't usually earth shattering. Also, the large, really interesting presentations at work are given to more experienced scientists - another reason to kick myself for *only* getting my Bachelor's.
I do get nervous when I have to speak in front of a crowd, but I am determined to get comfortable at it - and the only way I can do that is to take on as much as I can (at work as well).
Then, there's hubby's birthday on October 16th, so I have to work on something for that!
There are also a few other goals that I want to work on this upcoming month. The past few months, I have been going to the gym, on average, once a week, and I want to get that number up, so my goal is twice a week. I also want to do better at updating this blog, which has been done, again, on average about once per week. I want to increase my postings to 6 postings per month, minimum.
This past month has been a difficult, but rewarding month. In my effort to gain control of my mental health I made the difficult decision to cut ties, at least temporarily, with people in my life that were either too narrow-minded and hate filled or mentally unstable and constantly negative. I made this decision not only for myself, but for my family. My son deserves a happy mother and he deserves to be surrounded by people who will love him no matter what. My sisters and I are close, my mental state is much more positive than it has been in previous months. I am coming out of my shell - I have been active in two outside groups, making new friends, and overall life is good. I want it to continue in that general direction - ups and downs, but more ups, and the dips being a bit shallower than they have been, so they're easier and quicker to get out of.
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