Really Bad "Joke"

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During the first week of orientation my college put us through a bunch of sessions and what not. One of them was about accepting diversity and we had to go through this thing called the Tunnel of Oppression to see the kind of discrimination and racism and sexism and heterosexism that people have to face. And it was really intense like... I was disturbed. But there was this one thing that has haunted me to this day. I'm used used to racist jokes. I mean they hurt especially when it pertains to "your type". But this one... made me cry. There was one "joke" on the wall that said: What's the difference between Jews and pizza? and the answer was "Pizza doesn't scream while it's in the oven."I had to read that twice for it to register in my brain just what that was saying and I bawled... like... a maniac. I can't EVER imagine anyone saying that...ever. It's been stuck in my head and I'm sorry. I've run into a couple of anti-semitic people and have gotten into the most heated arguments of my life... uuugh I can't stand humans... well... prejudice, hateful ones.

You're going to encounter ALOT of people like that. I would just advise you not to get so sensitive when you see things like that. Its terrible... but you probably wont be able to change their views on it.

What gets me is the audacity of some folks to try and convince others that the holacaust never happened...that it was all some kind of trick by the Jews. The tactics of liberals.I think Jews have suffered more than their share and don't understand why some folks think they have to try and take them down a notch all the time.BTW, I think whoever came up with that orientation session should have his/her head examined. Regardless of what words are said, exposure to such things makes it easier to accept...not more difficult. Such things, with repeated exposure, become less shocking...regardless of whether or not they're right or wrong.

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The tactics of liberals

WTF??................

And Abi, thats a horrible "joke" and sadly not the first time I've heard it. In life there are people who simply have no tolerance for what's different than them. All we can do is hope people see the errors of their ways.

Quote:BTW, I think whoever came up with that orientation session should have his/her head examined. Regardless of what words are said, exposure to such things makes it easier to accept...not more difficult. Such things, with repeated exposure, become less shocking...regardless of whether or not they're right or wrong. You missed the point. When they say accept they mean accept DIVERSITY. Don't discriminate against others who are different from you. Unlike other colleges where you're abused if you're gay, mistreated if you're Asian or Jewish, etc etc this college is very open to diversity. I appreciate their LGBT group that helps lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transexuals that suffer from prejudice. They're helping some of these valley hill kids who have never even seen a black, latino, asian person before except on TV and letting them see the discrimination they usually face so as not to make the mistake of offending someone. I actually think it helped. Ironically whenever I hear someone say "that's so gay" someone ends up yelling "TUNNEL OF OPPRESSION!" haha it's funny but it's SO effective.One of the things I appreciate about this school is not that they're embracing everyone's ideals but that they're tolerant, patient, and understanding. There's a difference. I've never seen homosexuals treated so "normal" than here. Which is sad because back at home it would never be tolerated. People are actually BETTER human beings when they just accept people for the way they are rather than imposing on them what THEY believe is right.

Originally Posted By: thorBTW, I think whoever came up with that orientation session should have his/her head examined. Regardless of what words are said, exposure to such things makes it easier to accept...not more difficult. Such things, with repeated exposure, become less shocking...regardless of whether or not they're right or wrong. The point of such things is not shock and awe, though that is often part of process. The point is to educate others about the hatred that many minorities face in their lives. Once someone is aware of something they can more readily avoid it. Also, I think the idea is when we understand what a minority must deal with we are less likely to accept the less offensive prejudices because we can see where it leads. The idea is to connect the prejudice, Jews are big nosed tight fisted money hounds, with the sentiment, nothing says lovin' like Jews in the oven. When we see the destination of such prejudices we are less likely to accept them. We may no longer be shocked by them but we know where prejudice leads. Racism and prejudice are a single path and it leads to hatreds that allow normal people to act in the most barbaric of ways. The idea is it's better to show people the outcomes of such notions than to shelter them, for if they know the outcome hopefully they won't accept the simple prejudice.

Originally Posted By: OldFolksThe point of such things is not shock and awe, though that is often part of process. The point is to educate others about the hatred that many minorities face in their lives. Once someone is aware of something they can more readily avoid it. That's the theory...and I'm saying it doesn't pan out. Folks who think it's wrong are going to think it's wrong...those who don't, won't.The phrase "TUNNEL OF OPPRESSION" is itself oppresive...sort of like saying the end justifies the means, which is what I'm disagreeing with here.The more you draw attention to differences, the more you make them issues...that's the way it always works. If you want color, for example, to become a non-issue...you ignore color differences. Get it? You don't draw attention to them...that just perpetuates the situation on and on. That's partly why it's still an issue with some folks to this very day. It's like picking at a wound...preventing it from healing. Leave it alone and stop paying so much attention to it, and it will heal itself over time. Some folks just like attention too much to give it up, though.

"That's the theory...and I'm saying it doesn't pan out."Based on what experience?>>>"The phrase "TUNNEL OF OPPRESSION" is itself oppresive...sort of like saying the end justifies the means..."Please explain how saying someone is or was oppressed, is oppressive. That makes no sense to me.>>>"The more you draw attention to differences, the more you make them issues...that's the way it always works. If you want color, for example, to become a non-issue...you ignore color differences." But people are different. Ignoring those differences may be comfy for some but it devalues the intrinsic worth of the individual who's difference and thereby experiences is being ignored. Get it?The goal of humanity, in my opinion, should be to see the difference as part of the individual and accept it rather than ridicule it or act as if it's something that is not worth of noticing. The difference is part of what makes that person who they are, when it's ignored it implies it's a defect not to be discussed in polite gatherings. I know its hard if not outright impossible for some to accept anything outside their narrow view of the world, but people should be accepted with their differences rather than in spite of them.

Quote:What gets me is the audacity of some folks to try and convince others that the holacaust never happened...that it was all some kind of trick by the Jews. The tactics of liberals. now you're just being an asshole

Originally Posted By: OldFolks

But people are different. Ignoring those differences may be comfy for some but it devalues the intrinsic worth of the individual who's difference and thereby experiences is being ignored. Get it?

So how is the color of a person's skin used to determine that person's intrinsic worth? What does it have to do with how a person is valued? I'm sorry, but you are being blatantly racist here.

Originally Posted By: unsupervised  Quote:What gets me is the audacity of some folks to try and convince others that the holacaust never happened...that it was all some kind of trick by the Jews. The tactics of liberals. now you're just being an asshole So telling an inconvenient truth makes one an asshole now, eh? I'll be sure and remember that...next time I'm talking to a liberal.

You're just making no sense, thor. Holocaust deniers generally come from the right-wing end of politics, not the left.Perhaps for you the word 'liberal' means 'someone I disagree with'?

didn't you know?liberals not only deny the holocaust, they caused it. They are also responsible for 9/11, the black plague, white oppression, rained out picknicks and ingrown toenails. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must seize my rake of righteousness as the liberal winds have blown liberal leaves all over my conservative persecution complex.

Originally Posted By: thor

Originally Posted By: OldFolks

But people are different. Ignoring those differences may be comfy for some but it devalues the intrinsic worth of the individual who's difference and thereby experiences is being ignored. Get it?
So how is the color of a person's skin used to determine that person's intrinsic worth? What does it have to do with how a person is valued? I'm sorry, but you are being blatantly racist here.
Read the entire sentence, it's the experience they bring, do to their different ethnic heritage. When you ignore someones difference you are also ignoring a great part of what makes them who they are. So rather than ignoring the difference, as if it's something to be ashamed, accept it and embrace it as an intrinsic, valuable part of what makes that person who they are.

Originally Posted By: IneligibleYou're just making no sense, thor. Holocaust deniers generally come from the right-wing end of politics, not the left.Perhaps for you the word 'liberal' means 'someone I disagree with'? Probably closer to "someone in serious denial"...something conservatives aren't exactly known for.

that's laughable, given the extreme tunnel-vision of your brand of conservative

Originally Posted By: thor Originally Posted By: IneligibleYou're just making no sense, thor. Holocaust deniers generally come from the right-wing end of politics, not the left.Perhaps for you the word 'liberal' means 'someone I disagree with'? Probably closer to "someone in serious denial"...something conservatives aren't exactly known for. I think you're the spoke person for the phrase "someone in serious denial".

Originally Posted By: unsupervisedthat's laughable, given the extreme tunnel-vision of your brand of conservative Conservatives deal more with reality and less with the La-La Land liberals spend a lot of time in. Some of the realities liberals ignore are the same ones socialists and communists ignore...so it's easy to see, once those realities are accepted, why none of those systems (including liberalism) will ever work.The only way you can effectively deal with issues is to acknowledge their existance...failure to do so means all your solutions will ultimately fail.No matter how much work you do to the engine, the car will never go down the road without wheels.

Originally Posted By: Rad

But we do deal with issues. It's you who denies a problem exists.

OK....setting aside the "wrongness" of some things from a Christian perspective, let's take a look.

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For example, Gay marriage.
We say, there's a problem. There's discrimination.
You say, there's no problem, no discrimination.

You're ignoring, COMPLETELY, the problems that will result from giving gays the right to marry each other. But you can't have your way if you acknowledge those consequences, so you ignore them.

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We say we need universal healthcare.

Once again, you ignore the consequences...possibly because you're just not capable of understanding them...more likely because you're just not interested in understanding them. It is not the governments job to take care of us as if we're children...we're supposed to be able to do that for ourselves when we become adults. And handing control of our lives over to the government is, historically, a stupid proposition. I am not interested in becoming a slave to the governments decisions about my health and the health of my relatives. You and those like you would hand it over in a heart-beat. You have known freedom all your life and have no idea what it looks like to lose it...and the price that must sometimes be paid to keep it.

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I'm beginning to believe that in order to be a true conservative, you have to be seriously unbalanced. I guess that's why there are so few of them.

I would seem that way to somebody who has been ignoring the truth for so long that they no longer recognize it for what it is.

Quote: You're ignoring, COMPLETELY, the problems that will result from giving gays the right to marry each other.Still waiting for these "problems" you are talking about. Several states allow gay marriage, some for a few years now, and there have been no issues stemming from Same-Sex Marriage.Also, have you ever stepped back and read some of your posts and seen how truly judgemental you are? Not to mention how you so easily degrade people by talking down to them? Is this the new standard to be a Christian today?