Things on this blog are going to be jacked for a little while. I have gotten a bit behind on my blogging. I have about 6 or 7 things I want to write about here, not to mention my other blogs. And technically this one should be at the back bottom of my list, because it is the newest. But like I said I am totally going to jack with the order of things.
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I always took myself as one of those people who didn't get offended easily. Speak your opinion, whatever it may be-your entitled, Use foul language ( I do ) that is between you and your maker. I will admit I am easily embarrassed, for myself and others; I am sometimes hurt by what some people say or do, but not really ever offended (if you can find the distinction). But my new job has been a test for me in many ways, this included. These people I work with are rather religious and because this: A. they don't find it appropriate to swear, and B. they think homosexuality is evil incarnate. So occasionally I hear things like, "that so gay" or "that's faggy" or "no, your a fag;" things of that nature. Things that made me twitch but I let slide. Because I know its a culture thing, and at one point I am going slip and say fuck or shit-and if I am the girl who cried foul over the gay thing I won't have a leg to stand on. But today hit me good. In front of the entire staff someone said something, and no one responded. We were having a company meeting and someone said "those queers down the street." My stomach turned; my opinion of this person dropped dramatically, and for a fraction of a second I wondered if I was going to have to quit my job because maybe I wasn't going to fit in here as well as I thought. I have people near and dear to me that are gay. And truth be told this person probably knows someone (even maybe cares for someone) who is a homosexual. I don't understand or fathom people's problem with notion...but I am getting away from the point. There is a difference between me saying I am having a shitty day and him calling someone a queer (for the record-I have absolutely no clue as to whether or not the person/people he was talking about are in fact gay, but regardless he meant it to be derogatory). This was just such a curve ball for me, it wasn't until after I was on my way home from work that I realized how offended I was by the remark. I had been stewing about it all day and hadn't even realized. The longer I work here the more things I am finding I am sensitive to. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
And PS-This is why I have trouble with religion...
2 comments:
I think you should say something! Too many times we let things slide under the guise of not being easily offended... but seriously... if it bothers you, then speak up and be heard. It's a form of harassment.
As for me, I'm one of those people that needs to try and stop calling THINGS (things, not people) gay. So I appreciate this post.
I should have taken your advice, but I feel like I kind of missed my opportunity to say something about that particular incident. But I have convinced myself not to stay quiet anymore if something like that happens again I plan to talk to him about it. As it stands right now, I am just happy he is out the office for the rest of the week.
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