Hug me!
A recent spate of "hug-a-...-day" has erupted on Facebook. Hug-a-jew, I'm asked. Or someone gay. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against either group, but I am eagerly waiting for the "Hug-a-Christian" day, or the "Hug-an-African" day. I do not want to make this about various social implications of either of my suggestions, as of course there are numerous ones. My point is that the latter two would almost certainly not happen, but the former two seem to be perfectly acceptable.
Why are jews and gays seen as almost 'cuddly' members of society? What makes them seem friendly, approachable and amicable? Is it because they have both experienced repression to a greater or lesser extent? More importantly, why should we need a day to go and hug them? Such actions only serve to remind us of divisions that are ever present in society. "There are gay people, and they are different, so we should remind everybody of that". Err, why? Surely we do not need to be reminded of the differences between various elements of society, surely we should be making an effort to forget about these differences?
It is things such as this which really annoy me. Women were repressed for many centuries, where is the "hug-a-woman" day?
There are two conflicting issues here it seems, that of religion (Islam, Judism, Hindu etc) whereby people from that religion are 'different'. And then there is gender and sexuality. People who have different sexual orientations are 'different'? Surely what most people want is to be the same? When you are a kid, you want to fit in at school. When you start work, you want to make the right impression with your colleagues. So why do we need to emphasise difference?
Society it seems is happy to consider difference, as long as it is not threatening. Jews and Gay people are not seen as a huge threat, certainly not in the same manner that Islamaphobia is still very much a part of our conscience. If society doesn't agree with you in your views on religion, then you will find it very hard to have a day of hugs.
It isn't just a religious thing either. It's a social thing too, if someone says something that people dislike, they are instantly lambasted. Witness David Irving for example.
It is here I have a problem though. I firmly believe Irving should be allowed to talk, thinking that despite him doing so, people are intelligent enough not to listen. His 'difference' is refreshing, although ultimately flawed. I do not agree with him and his views on the holocaust, but I am willing to let him have them. Just like I do not necessarily agree with some of the stuff the Qu'ran says, but I am willing to let those who believe in it, believe in it.
Consequently, the rather mixed and confused rambling aside, I am aware of difference, and believe that difference is a good thing in society. However, I do not think it should be reinforced, and made an issue of by such events as "hug-me" days.
Luke
Why are jews and gays seen as almost 'cuddly' members of society? What makes them seem friendly, approachable and amicable? Is it because they have both experienced repression to a greater or lesser extent? More importantly, why should we need a day to go and hug them? Such actions only serve to remind us of divisions that are ever present in society. "There are gay people, and they are different, so we should remind everybody of that". Err, why? Surely we do not need to be reminded of the differences between various elements of society, surely we should be making an effort to forget about these differences?
It is things such as this which really annoy me. Women were repressed for many centuries, where is the "hug-a-woman" day?
There are two conflicting issues here it seems, that of religion (Islam, Judism, Hindu etc) whereby people from that religion are 'different'. And then there is gender and sexuality. People who have different sexual orientations are 'different'? Surely what most people want is to be the same? When you are a kid, you want to fit in at school. When you start work, you want to make the right impression with your colleagues. So why do we need to emphasise difference?
Society it seems is happy to consider difference, as long as it is not threatening. Jews and Gay people are not seen as a huge threat, certainly not in the same manner that Islamaphobia is still very much a part of our conscience. If society doesn't agree with you in your views on religion, then you will find it very hard to have a day of hugs.
It isn't just a religious thing either. It's a social thing too, if someone says something that people dislike, they are instantly lambasted. Witness David Irving for example.
It is here I have a problem though. I firmly believe Irving should be allowed to talk, thinking that despite him doing so, people are intelligent enough not to listen. His 'difference' is refreshing, although ultimately flawed. I do not agree with him and his views on the holocaust, but I am willing to let him have them. Just like I do not necessarily agree with some of the stuff the Qu'ran says, but I am willing to let those who believe in it, believe in it.
Consequently, the rather mixed and confused rambling aside, I am aware of difference, and believe that difference is a good thing in society. However, I do not think it should be reinforced, and made an issue of by such events as "hug-me" days.
Luke
Nonetheless, hug-a-linguist day would, I feel, be a valuable addition to our calendar. 50 reasons on your desk in the morning. :P
siz (Comment this)