An avenue for the mind

Norman

Probably some of you have already heard of Norman, the little puppy that doesn't bark, but howls like a cow. In case you don't, find him at the Born Different Campaign site. He was like his brothers and the other dogs except for that little difference, and for just that little difference he was confronted to their rejection; some adult dog even tried to change him, though in vain. So, is Norman different just by nature? Wasn't he simply born that way? And, if so, why to reject him? Isn't fair to accept him as he is?

I found out this site and watched the videos, and can't just help thinking the Born Different campaign is a praiseworthy example of what a campaign for LGBT people's recognition and acceptance should be. Far from sophistic arguments and offensive language, Born Different just appeals to each other's sympathy and rationality. Pointing out what is to be pointed out with no need of the same kind of aggressiveness expressed by LGBT's most ferocious enemies.

One of my strong convictions is that hate/anger is a 'cancer' of society, only sustainable in minimal levels. As long as hate acquires so much strength and vigor, whatever happens next couldn't be but sad. The crimes against Afroamerican people in XIX and XX century USA, The Nazist Germany and the consequent Holocaust (1932-1945), Tutsi's extermination of hundred thousand Hutus in Rwanda and Burundi (1994) and Yugoslavian State genocides in Kosovo (1998) are tragic examples fresh in XXI century's memory (but hatred's effects should not be so tragic).

From these episodes we can learn the invaluable lesson of controlling hate and anger in society before they become so strong to open the way to rivers of blood. And this should be enough to repel those points of view aggressive against LGBT people or any other minority or part of society -that is, those viewpoints which force or imply action against certain people's integrity, freedom and human dignity. That's what we as identified with a non-dominating sexual orientation (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or whatever) need to confront.

Of course, anger arises when someone compels you to change the way you are under threat of condemnation, when someone hates you just because you are what you are. But then we have two basic choices: either to transform that anger and hate into strength and courage to affront difficult times and assist the victims of intolerance and repression, or let them grow and play the "let's build an ill society" game.

posted by shaikai @ 7:16 PM