General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy the guilt trip?
First let me say...I love and care about people and I love and care about animals...
So I'd like to know why some DUers, some who I respect highly, are intent on making others (including me) feel guilty about being horrified at the killing of an innocent (read: non threatening) and endangered lion by a cruel, murderous asshole, whose desire it was to see the lion's head over his fireplace. Isn't it possible to be outraged over the deaths of innocent people while still having strong feelings over the illegal and needless death of an animal that was beloved by a nation? Is this a contest? Isn't enough that it's 24/7 of Bernie vs. Hillary; Democrats vs. DNC; Corporatists vs. Socialists. Must we also have a duel over this?
Choie
HFRN
(1,469 posts)about everything
all the time
Been a member since 2004, but the atmosphere has become more poisonous with each passing year. It's unfortunate.
Change has come
(2,372 posts)You've been here a bit over a month! You've got this shit figured out
tularetom
(23,664 posts)Most of us are capable of outrage at more than one injustice at a time.
You don't have to feel guilty about being a compassionate human being. We need more like you.
choie
(4,111 posts)N/t
PatrickforO
(14,602 posts)That is true. The cop thing is getting out of hand. Totally.
But you know, the asshole that killed the lion - hey, I'm outraged about that TOO.
And I can do that...
snooper2
(30,151 posts)She thinks fish are yucky but loves steak and bacon...
CRY FOR HELP!
Juicy_Bellows
(2,427 posts)Sanctimonious screeds of hyper-phallic bombast. Best to ignore or have a chuckle at the absurdity.
PatrickforO
(14,602 posts)LOL. That's pretty good.
3catwoman3
(24,092 posts)...a good turn of phrase?
I hope I have occasion to use this soon. Trump will probably oblige.
DFL_Wellstone_dems
(23 posts)Step 1-learn how to play a musical instrument.
Step 2-form band
Step 3-name it "hyper-phallic bombast"
Juicy_Bellows
(2,427 posts)I'll be at your first concert! Cheers!
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)what those other people want to talk about.
BainsBane
(53,112 posts)That what might actually matter are black lives?
choie
(4,111 posts)Who the fuck do you think YOU are? You don't know me...do you think you're the only person who cares about black lives? Take your goddamn sanctimonious crap elsewhere.
GitRDun
(1,846 posts)You have achieved the proper attitude.
There is nothing wrong with you.
RandiFan1290
(6,260 posts)Just look at some of their post counts and think what kind of loser has time to post here so much....
Trolls
Violet_Crumble
(35,980 posts)It's as though they think there's some leaderboard where things in the news are ranked by them and anyone who has an opinion about anything but the one issue selected for top ranking is somehow minimising or ignoring that issue and must be lectured as though they've totally ignored it.
Xipe Totec
(43,892 posts)Maybe even worse if you are being sarcastic.
choie
(4,111 posts)Poisonous and adds nothing to the conversation.
BainsBane
(53,112 posts)The entire discussion about black lives vs. the lion is to highlight the fact that black people are valued less in American society than animals. The problem is that when such discussions occur, many white people seem to focus first on their feelings. That is what happens with many discussions about racism, even the most lethal kinds. So when people point out the nature of our society in which black lives warrant less attention than Cecil, it speaks to the racism that allows that violence to be perpetuated. You have decided that is about making you feel guilty. My point was that it is not about you and your feelings, that whatever discomfort you might feel at having that disparity pointed out pales in comparison to the loss of human life, to what mothers around this country feel when their sons and daughters are killed by police. It is in fact a crucial point--the crucial point of anti-racism.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)BainsBane
(53,112 posts)They are on Twitter using lions as avatars as a statement that they are valued less. I believe they have a point. A few high profile cases have gotten attention, though not as much as the lion. Many, many more have gotten very little attention.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)My guess is none.
Right now you're arguing people are racist in favor of lions vs black people. Do you realize how asinine that is?
The lion is getting a lot more attention than most issues, certainly most individual crimes/victims, of all colors and creeds.
It's not racism when it gets more attention than victims of all races.
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... and equivocating seems disingenuous
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)African-Americans is definitely racism.
People talking about a lion instead of talking about racism, abortion and veganism is not racism.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)choie
(4,111 posts)You are here to point these truths out to we less enlightened, insensitive, self centered DUers.
BainsBane
(53,112 posts)by reading some of the black press or looking on social media. Instead you chose to decide it was about making you feel guilty. Now, I don't know if people directly scolded you for your concern about the animal. That was not the approach I took. I wrote a thread commenting on the disparity. I did not attack anyone for their concern. When I saw you post this, I pointed out that it really isn't about you. You got very angry at that and because verbally abusive. You chose to make it about your "feeling guilty." I do not believe your guilt is what matters. I believe the epidemic of thousands of black people being murdered by police is far, far more important.
Who am I, as you crudely asked earlier? I'm someone who has figured out it's not about how I feel, that when I see a comment by someone, especially a black person, that says white people this or that, I don't personalize it. If I make myself the issue, I can't understand what they have to say about their experiences with racism. And if I don't try to understand their experiences, I have no ability to help make the situation better.
choie
(4,111 posts)You are incredibly patronizing..you don't have to lecture me or others on how
To be more empathetic towards others' experience of racism.
tularetom
(23,664 posts)geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)country are racist because it's their duty to talk about BLM 24/7 instead?
It's not a competition.
BainsBane
(53,112 posts)at all. I've been clear enough. If you decide you want to know more, go read some of the black press or go to social media. Look at elonjameswhite's twitter feed or any number of other black activists. See what they have to say about it.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Nor any of my coworkers or Facebook friends.
It has happened before that people on Twitter have made bullshit arguments.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)in the continent of Cecil, let him address the citizenry therein.
Do you think DU didn't have enough commentary on Trayvon? Or now on Sandra Bland? Etc.?
BainsBane
(53,112 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)Warpy
(111,417 posts)that nobody likes a common scold.
Snobblevitch
(1,958 posts)Nobody can make you feel that way without your permission.
choie
(4,111 posts)And know that old saw - I don't feel a bit of guilt - it's the posters' attempts to illicit guilt that I'm talking about. Christ sometimes I get so damn sick of the dynamics here.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)I do think it reflects an odd quirk of our collective human nature. Our heirarchy of compassion and affinity for animals is directly related to their size and amount of fur. Big enough and furry enough, they get named and become celebrities.
If Dr Palmer had killed an african person, there'd be a gofundme on his behalf.
It is what it is. It's odd, that's all.
Zorra
(27,670 posts)The less senseless taking of life, the better.
ZombieHorde
(29,047 posts)If it was general, and the shoe doesn't fit, then perhaps it wasn't directed at you.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)because people are talking about the lion instead of what they want people to be talking about. Mainly attention-seeking behavior.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)It's a Sith game from what I've heard.
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)...and you backed the 'wrong' horse.
And this being DU, you can't tell them to fuck off, at least not without risking a hide.