I am in the library right now writing a sizable paper about Susan Glaspell's one-act play "Trifles." This play, published in 1915, has a heavy feminist message.
One of the points I decided to make in my paper is that the real message of the play is one of female empowerment, and not simply female victimization. It is showing how women really do hold power, more than they-or anyone else-realizes.
I think the gay community today could benefit from taking this stance in a more direct way. Instead of feeling so victimized by our society, by our families, by our religions, I think an effort should be made to do something a little different.
We need to show people why homosexuals in society hold some sway. Why we are valuable, what we have to offer, how we can help lift those around us and continue onwards and upwards.
It isn't that there isn't any of this going on now, for there is, or that all the rhetoric I hear is of people who (however justifiably so) are wounded by their situation in life, but I think our appeal to sentiment may be running out. Showing people our hurts and our wounds and appealing to sympathy and pity may have its place, certainly, in motivating some people to action. In the end though, I think we should try to motivate people to act not because of pity, but because they see the real, deep, true and intrinsic powers and contributions that homosexuals have to offer.
Just a thought. Hopefully that came out all right. I'm just brainstorming here and I have a paper to work on so I didn't even go back and re-read this :/
one man's journey to see how deep the rabbit hole really goes
1 comment:
I agree that a positive, pro-active approach works better than endless appeals to pity, which can eventually make the pitied look weak, and that's no way to gain respect long-term.
Jury's still out, though, on how irrational and often religiously based prejudice may also play into the mix, whether it would or could neutralize or prevent such respect.
This change is probably going to take a little time, but I agree with you Tommy, eventually appeals to pity are no longer effective and we have to take a more positive approach. Good thoughts here.
Post a Comment