...just an endless pontificator. Today's tirade: the radicalism vacuum.
The questions started when I signed up to be a straight ally coordinator for my b school's LGBT club, and have exploded since I became its co-president: why the gay rights movement, Joanne? Why do you care so much?
I got it when I spoke up in the first term of school during an ethics case, too. Taking a strong stand on the need for black and white ethics in the workplace, the obligation of employees to stand up to their bosses when they're doing something wrong? You're living outside of reality, little girl. Ah, it must be your 'social sector background' - let me teach you how the business world really works.
To be clear, I'm not trying to get all high and mighty here - I'm no saint. I certainly haven't consistently stood up for things I believe in. But these experiences are starting to get me thinking... a dangerous path to go down, to be sure.
At the risk of mass stereotyping, I'm coming to the conclusion that we, middle class Americans, live in this world where we don't think we have to stick up for anything anymore. We glorify the people who rocked the boat, idolize them and quote them, but when push comes to shove we'd rather do exactly the opposite - sit back, go with the flow, maybe chime in on the whining about the burgeoise and the conservatives a little, and at the end of the day take the path of least resistance. In fact, we're constantly encouraged NOT to rock the boat. And those who do are brushed aside as radicals, ungrounded, argumentative, naive. (Well, at least the ones who haven't made a name for themselves yet.) What happened to visionary, strong-willed, relentless, and outspoken being good things? When did those get bundled as 'contrarian', and conformatism get propped up as the path to success?
You say it isn't so, but look around you. How often do you thank a picketer for standing up for her beliefs? How often do you back up the outraged customer throwing a tantrum in the store? How often do you correct a stranger when they say fag, or nigger, or chink, or slut? (Think about how sexist that word is - what's the equivalent for men?) How often do you, yourself, call out your friend, family member, coworker or boss, tell them they're wrong, and defend why? It's much easier, and more socially acceptable, to just roll your eyes and change the subject.
Why are we so rarely proud of the people around us who refuse to let these things go, and so often embarrassed by them?
Maybe the real revolutionaries would laugh at me and say 'duh, that's what being a leader means - we all had to push against the current and annoy our friends to get to where we are.' Maybe it's just part of my learning process. But then why does it feel so strange, that all the ideals we wax poetic about as a society never get implemented in our everyday lives and conversations?
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