My dander is up today. Stupid people really work my last gay nerve.
Before I start let me explain something. There is a clear difference between ignorance and stupidity. Ignorance is the lack of knowledge. Stupidity, on the other hand, is the refusal or inability to process knowledge. In most respects they are a before and after state of being.
Ok, so my first bitch, I’m scrolling thru tribe today and I happen upon a thread about steroids. A HIV postive guy left a note saying he was interested in finding steroids to bulk up. He only mentions his HIV status in passing with his physical stats. While there were only a few comments, several were mean and one was just plain nasty. Oh but here’s the pisser! The comments were clearly based on negative ignorant perceptions. One guy assumed because the poster mentioned he was positive, he was using his status as an excuse. Even if he was, piss off! The poor man is dealing w/a terminal illness cut him some slack.
Knowing it wouldn’t do any good, I made an effort to correct said ignorance, not once but twice. I’m not for or against steroids. It’s a personal choice. And, I’ll be the first to admit I know poz guys who use their status as an excuse to bulk up legally. So what, if you fortunate enough to be healthy, count your blessings and move on. Until we have equal rights under the law in this country, I think we have bigger issues as gay men to be fighting over.
‘nuf said!
Then I’m reading bent collective’s rants about treating HIV patients in a third world country. Here we have a man who is giving up 6 months of his life to work in a true 3rd world country that doesn’t even like us. Apparently, a bitch fight breaks out over whether we should be tending to our own at home before offering his support overseas. One such person even goes so far to suggest the US is one step away from being a 3rd world country. Yes, news fans, read it again. One step away from being a 3rd world country. . . wait! what’s that noise…
*ring ring ring*
Why, it’s the clue phone! Hello! We are nowhere near close to being a 3rd world country! Making such statements takes you clearly out of the realm of ignorance and plants you firmly on the solid ground of stupidity. (note, I stopped here so I could edit out my several lines of curse words.) We have problems in this country. Yes, we do. But, our problems pale in comparison to the crisis that people face on a daily basis living in a 3rd world country. Anyone who is willing to give of themselves to help said people deserves our respect. Or at the very least, shut your pie hole and be grateful you live in a country where we have the luxury of such decisions.
I used to think I was very tolerant person. However, I’m guess I’m not. You know why? Because I have no use for stupid people anymore.
I couldn’t agree with you more!!!
Moby…
I sometimes go onto Steve’s blog several times in the course of a day.. I was blown away when I saw the back and forth action going on. Whoever that “Damnspot’ character is, he needs to lose the attitude and touch back down with reality. Agree with all you’ve said.
I tend to agree with you on this. Until someone has walked in anothers shoes they’ve no damn business passing judgment of any kind. Unless a danger to others exists then I say for each his own.
Very good post.
Right on, Moby. Good post. Its nice to know someone that knows what he’s about. I wish there were more of you and Mr. O’Brien; unfortunately I fear Stupidity rules supreme.
Thanks for the website.
Amen. Thanks for your words. I work for an AIDS organization in Seattle and am constantly humbled by the efforts of everyone here. The stigma surrounding HIV, sexuality, drug use, poverty/homelessness, etc. etc. is horrifying. Just help your fellow human, period, we’re all here together. Thanks for something that verifies that … I need some validation sometimes that it all menas something. 😉