Sometimes the grass really is greener

[textualdeviance]

Perused this article about FB/isolation/envy earlier. Found it interesting, maybe even somewhat enlightening.

Until I got to the end, and the bit that reminded me that it's not all in my head.

For the record, it gets really fucking tiring to constantly be on the business end of (theoretically) socially acceptable "humor." Not to mention the mocking, disdain, discrimination and out-and-out hatred.

Hi. Human fucking being here, thanks.

The thing that gets to me is that it's next to impossible to tell whether a given person's going to be a bigot about this. For the queer stuff, it's easy: I just avoid conservatives and hardcore religious folk, and I'm usually safe. But there's really no safe space for this. Yeah, avoiding fashionistas and gym bunnies is a start, but only that. Even some of the most theoretically progressive folks out there can suddenly spout some of the most hateful garbage on this count, and that can be a really nasty slap in the face when it comes unexpectedly. (And then there's the self-hating crowd, too, who can be some of the worst.)

Sometimes, I feel like it's safer to just assume a given person's going to be an ass until they prove otherwise. Which is no way to go through life, no, but it's better than the alternative.

Comments

[pottsfanatic.livejournal.com]

I don't think the article would have even been printed if they had said gay ex, black ex ...etc. I'm sure you get the point. It always amazes me how the word "fat" can be used without regard and as a joke and it doesn't matter who it offends. I guess it's an easy joke ...make fun of or mock those that are overweight. No consideration is taken as to why they may be overweight...they are all jammed into the same category. Fat slobs that need to exercise. Sad really. There are quite a few cultures that actually prefer larger women and men. It shows wealth of men in some countries. In the early days of man, women(mates) were actually chosen for their rubenesque appearance. It meant they were healthy and capable of bearing healthy children. It's our culture that does it...as the song goes..Beauty magazines promote low self esteem. If you're not model thin than you're of no real use to society...so lurk in the background and don't make a fuss. Okay, I'll step off the soap box now.

[whuffle.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Stupid shit indeed. I get so very angry at people when they don't keep in mind the idea that there is another HUMAN being on the other end of that text they're so gleefully deriding.