I got into a rather profound conversation last night about...

[LeftyFingerPop]

how we here in DU, with our generally common set of beliefs, may be in "our own little world" as it were.

I made a post earlier about a July 4 party that I went to that seemed to be attended by many of the more affluent of my friends and acquaintances.

I made reference to a racist comment that was made by someone there, and what I said to counter it.

Also, I was trying to go into the "designated smoking area" at the party to grab a quick cigarette. I had some difficulty entering because the room was packed with a bunch of beer swilling "professional" men about my age.

As I was trying to weave my way through the bodies and into the room, one guy was joking about his friend to another person. he said..."This is my friend x, he is very gay" (The guy is not gay by the way).

The whole room burst into a fit of laughter. I failed to see the joke and ended up just leaving the room.

So here is why I am typing this.

At this party full of supposedly smart professional people, I encountered both a racist comment and an anti-gay comment, by two different people, all in the course of 10 minutes.

Comments that would never be tolerated here at DU are the norm out in the world. I find this disgusting and very worrying.

Don't think we have the November election in the bag, because those fuckers are out there, and there are a lot of them.

[southpaw]

1. Would you characterize the people at this gathering as

progressive leaning?

You refer to them as 'more affluent,' but that could go either way. In fact, I tend to assume that a more affluent individual will be right of center.

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. As far as the specific individuals that I am referring to...

I would not consider them progressive leaning at all; I would consider them VERY far right of center.

Very "career proud", competitive, "I've got mine, do you have yours?" type of people.

Very neighborhood conscious, social climbers.

I remember talking to a few of them around the time the war started. We were coming from different directions, and didn't even know it.

Me: Can you fucking believe this shit?
Him: I know, crazy, isn't it?
Me: The fucker is nuts.
Him: I know, I hope we bomb the fuck out of him.

I was talking about Bush, he was talking about Saddam.

[LeftyFingerPop]

3. Wrong place Southpaw...this is in response to you. n/t

[1gobluedem]

4. My college roommate is married to a guy who was in a fraternity in college

And never seemed to grow out of the stereotype. All of his 'social' conversation centers around crude references to sex or unfunny gay references/jokes. And, he's a staunch conservative, surprise, surprise.

Ugh.

[LeftyFingerPop]

5. I hear you....

I'll be 50 in a few months, and these people are my age. Does it ever end?

[TZ]

13. Another thing to cheer you up

I just got back from the lab..and someone brought in a CD of mongolian music..Interesting and something I have never heard before. And there was an interesting discussionn on the Mongolian culture, food etc..I'm pretty willing to bet 80% of the workplaces elsewhere would not be like this though...:)

[TZ]

6. To some extent, this is true

I listen to some of Orrex's real life stories and am completely horrified.
For me, working in a scientific company and living in a liberal, diverse area, I see a lot of liberal beliefs around me...even sometimes some of the more extreme views from DU reflected.

But I can look around my department and see all types of different people.
We might not all agree politically (one is a fundie type here) but I rarely hear racist/sexist/anti-gay stuff in my real life. AND I can even openly discuss that I'm an atheist without being attacked for it.
I am aware that my experiences are not typical but I wanted you to know, Philboy that there are places where our values from DU ARE reflected.:)

[LeftyFingerPop]

7. Perhaps if I lived in a larger city...

I would be exposed to more like-minded people.

I was amazed at the racist comment, and dumbfounded by the gay comment.

How does a 50 year old man think calling someone "gay" is amusing. That is how teenagers speak...."you're so gay". I don't get it. At all.

I used to work at a very large company that you would know. One of the guys in my department was gay, and he happened to live 2 doors down from me.

One Christmas, I asked him and his partner over for some food and drinks. We all got drunk and had a blast.

I made mention of this at work the following day, and talked about what a riot we had and how good it was to get together.

Some of the people I work with actually pulled me aside and made comments like: "What the fuck is wrong with you...you know he is gay".

Unreal.

[datasuspect]

8. i'm curious to discover what you think

an "extreme liberal" position is.

[TZ]

10. Easy.

Distrust of modern medicine/doctors/nurses health care professionals...PETA/Animal rights activists like ALF (whom have vandalized places I have worked at).
EXTREME anti-war positions (war is NEVER justified..even WWII never justified). Beliefs that there are NO legitimate security threats to this country (there are,but blown out of proportion, IMHO)
To me, thats extremist positions.
I am aware that I may be flamed for that..but from my experiences in my liberal area..those are out of mainstream thought here.
Oh and 9/11 conspiracy theories..Many here have first hand experience and absolutely LOATHE the tin foil hatters.

[PassingFair]

9. Why do you think we keep losing elections?

The electorate are ASSES.


But NOT this kind -----> :kick:

[NJmaverick]

11. The worlds are the same, it's the way they interact, that's different

Few people are willing to disrupt a party, or are brave enough to confront a person face to face, when they are offended. However the protection afforded by the internet discussion board along with no social constraints, makes expressing outrage and offense the number one hobby here at DU (and pretty much every other message board).

Your story is a perfect example. You were at a party, you were offended. You didn't say anything, because you didn't want to disrupt the party. People at parties know that it's very unlikely they will be called out on anything they say or do (with in reason), so they take advantage of that freedom. Yet if the same things were said on the board, I would suspect you would have no problem expressing your outrage. People on the internet boards know this, so they tread lightly.

[LeftyFingerPop]

14. I actually did confront the racist comment...

The gay comment I just kind of shook my head and walked away.

Felt like a losing battle at that point.

[Orsino]

12. We may still have it in the bag.

Those tiny minds may not have changed much, but thanks to *'s epic fuck-ups, fewer of them will be mustering the necessary enthusiasm to support or even vote for This Year's Manly Republican.

The MSM will try hard to make it look like a horse race, but I believe they'll fail.

[vard28]

15. I'm a bit afraid

I live in what used to be a rural area in Virginia outside of DC, but with all the insane housing growth, we're edging a lot closer to suburban. Anyway, even though the state as a whole is leaning more Dem, there are still people like my parents (in their 60's, who are VERY kind, caring, giving, generous, INTELLIGENT people) but REFUSE to even THINK about listening to this side of politics and vote straight repub ballot, regardless of who it is. They think Rush is a HOOT... blah, blah, blah. I just don't know why every damn person in this country isn't standing on street corners, screaming to anyone that will listen that we need a damn CHANGE and it better be quick.

My dad SWEARS that every kids' movie has a "gay undertone". That "THEY" make sure to weasel it into every kids movie and just about "ALL the damn network shows". I just have to walk away for fear of my head exploding, for real. I am afraid that there are a LOT of people among us that are still like that and have no intention bothering to PAY aFUCKINGtention and getting a clue.

I now scoot the soapbox back into the middle of the room. :banghead:

[IndianaJones]

16. anti-gay comments are tolerated here all the time...racist comments slightly less so. nt.