Quote:
Originally Posted by boink
I don't need to take a step back, I can recognize my irrational thoughts for what they are, I think those who CAN'T need to take a step back, or see a counselor or whatever it takes to get their inner child to stfu. i.e. think rationally.
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I agree, my question has been what should be done to fix the problem.
Some don't realize their fear is irrational.
Some know but don't understand why.
Some just don't care.
I see three different methods needed to address each of the problems. Others don't - I think their approach has failed.
---------- Post added at 10:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by boink
I work with a kid who uses the term 'gay' all the time to denigrate another employee. I use this term sometimes but consciously try to avoid it, because it's just wrong (inaccurate, he's a creep, and useless, but not gay) and it's feeding the evil wolf little scraps (thanks for that analogy  )
I'd like to know how to argue my co worker out of using that term...he's a bit of a macho little b-boy...a white kid. overall a nice kid but has issues inside himself with gays I guess. |
I would start by asking him questions about the issue to get him talking. Eventually his issues will surface. In many instances it is simply a peer pressure issue. Or, in order for a young man to show his "manlyness", he has to make jokes about gay men to impress his buddies. For some it is a much deeper issue, but I have a 13 year-old son and about a year ago he became very aware of gay people and he and his friends thought making fun of gay people was the funniest thing in the world. I talked to him about it. We have a neighbor who is about a year younger than my son who has some effeminate characteristics and my son on one occasion did nothing while this young man was getting bullied on the school bus everyday. We talked about that too, including the expectation that good people do not sit passively while others are being harmed. I saw this as a growing process for my son. He is not a bad person, he simply needed guidance and support. I suppose the PC police would want to hang him, figuratively.