Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive?


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> General BDSM Discussion >> RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 11:18:51 AM   
NINASHARP


Posts: 295
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: NJ/NYC
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Proprietrix


quote:

There was even someone who mentioned hugging thin person was like hugging a broom, which I thought ok, what you don't love to hug a little child. Who doesn't love to hug a little child?


Being the person who said I feel like hugging a skinny person is like hugging a broom….
I guess I’ll comment here.
You asked, so I answer…
I’m not much into hugging little children, but I’m not opposed to doing so if they need a hug. That doesn’t mean I enjoy it or don’t enjoy it. It depends on the person and the situation. Same with skinny people. I’ll hug them, but whether or not I enjoy the hug, depends on the person and the situation. I’m not a very tactile person, so hugs aren’t real high on my list of "things to do with people". For me, it’s difficult to feel warmth and a flow of energy when I’m embracing someone, but my arms feel wrapped around each other.

I prefer plump people. That doesn’t mean that I hate thin people. I also prefer brunettes. But that doesn’t mean I hate blondes. I like the color red, but blue shouldn’t be offended, and neither should my corn be upset that I prefer green beans. We all have individual preferences in what we find attractive and what appeals to us. By default, there will be a large population of people who don’t score in the top ten. That doesn’t mean that we find that large population repulsive.

When I read a profile that says "I’m looking for a tall man with blonde hair." I don’t become offended that I’m a short woman with dark hair. In fact, I don’t become offended at all. I really don’t even think about it.

There are some people who post on here (the first one that comes to mind is KnightsofMist, hope he doesn’t mind my mentioning him) whose posts offer me absolutely no warm fuzzies at all, but tons of strength and learning. This man has a way of phrasing things, that I could be offended, but the thought of being offended really doesn’t occur to me, as I’m usually greatly preoccupied with going "Damn, that’s a good point." or "Now there’s a perspective I never thought of." or "Wow. That gives me something to think about for the next 3 days!" I have no doubt that if he made a post stating all the reasons he didn’t like short women, I could easily read the post and learn something. Being a short woman myself, I’m sure I could read through the paragraphs and feel offended, but it probably wouldn’t happen because I’m wired in a way that I love to explore new perspectives, learn about people and how they think, and expand my horizons through every word I read. It doesn’t take much effort for me to not take things personally.

I find it mildly piques my interest when I see a skinny person speak up when thinness is devalued. It kind of makes me want to say "Aha. Now you know how fat people feel almost every moment of every day when their weight is devalued routinely on television, magazines, playgrounds, nightclubs, and by society in general." 30 million fat jokes are ok, but 1 thin joke sends the skinny lassies running away in tears or vehemently defending themselves. It sucks to be in the person’s shoes who is being devalued based on physical attributes, but most people don’t notice any sort of "problem" with it until they are the one in those shoes.

I’m not getting down on you Nina. In fact, I like you and your perspective on most things. But I must ask, did you feel this sensitive, put off, or offended when the fat people, in that same thread, were being called lazy and worthless? Did you speak up in their defense? Were you inspired with that same urge to type out a flaming comment? Or are you only sensitive to words that could apply to you personally?

If you are only sensitive to comments that you can personally apply to yourself and your own life, maybe you’re not quite looking outside the boundaries of yourself into those infinite boundaries of humanity. When we become less focused on ourselves, we tend to be better able to see the bigger injustices in the world around us. In turn, we begin to take petty insults less personally, because we are looking at a much larger picture than the one we fill.

I could sit around and feel offended about how I personally feel oppressed as a woman. But when I look at the bigger picture, I realize that a lot of women are oppressed. And in fact, so are a lot of men, and elderly, and races, and religions. My scope changes from defending myself as a woman, to speaking out against oppression in general. Defending myself as a "woman" becomes a self-based bandaid that distracts me from the larger cause of defending people as "equals".

I’m less sensitive to posts that I could perceive as personally insulting, because I’m looking at the larger meaning in what someone is saying. If you look back at my post in which I made the broom comment, you’ll see it wasn’t an inflammatory attack toward thin people. The basis of my post was about acceptance of others, acceptance of oneself, relationships void of hatred, and taking care of one’s health. It’s a shame that all of those messages were lost because someone focused on a single metaphor used to describe what I personally find attractive.

It all comes back to… the less we focus on ourselves, the less we take others people’s words personally.



Since i first joined Collarme, I've always admired you, and that doesn't change because your opinion is different from mine. I think you are very articulate and intelligent and a tell it like it is gal. And I don't think you are rude, but can be a little blunt, but I mean that in a good way. I'm saying this so you know that I mean no disrespect, regardless of how it comes across on a forum. 

 No, I don't think you should like to give hugs to children, if its not your thing,  I was just throwing that out there, as compared to children being small like skinny people. I do love to hug little ones and also big ones. I just love hugs.  Of course you are entitled to your opinion and I do like that you are honest and sincere in your posts . You are right about society, which does give a lot of shit to those who are bigger and plus size. And even though I have never walked in those shoes, I do feel very much offended by it.

I did come to the defense of the slave who had a master who thought she needed to loose weight. I did post on how I think that overweight people participate in the scene more, becauese they are comfortabe with their bodies, probably being more comfortable in their own skin then those in vanilla and not buying into the hype of what the vanilla world thinks the way we should all be and look like.  I didn't post on the other thread, and didn't even realize it was you that talked about hugging a broom.

I do have friends and family that take a lot of shit for being over weight. And it does piss me off just as much as being underweight automatically makes a person a drug user or breakable.  I understand where you are coming from and beleive me.

Its not just the skinny bashing posts that I found offensive, I used that point because it still was fresh in my mind. I could reference a lot of different threads where people are just down right mean for no good reason. It isn't just on a BDSM board, its on a lot of BB's I have come across.. Try going to a quit smoking website and see what they do to people, who are "serial quitters" .  People seem to forget their manners behind a computer and come across angry and its disturbing to me to some degree.

Yes but there are many things to be learned from the differences. Even if its not something everyone agrees on.

No, I don't think anyway, that I focus so much on myself as I do on the person being bashed or even doing the bashing. I certainly can feel their frustration.  And yeah I've jumped in on it and found myself sweeped away by the drama, too.  But you are right. Its only opinions and everyone has one. I guess I need to develope a thicker skin to take less offense to it and try to pull the positive out of it.

Thanks for replying,

Nina



_____________________________

My stiletto boots fit like gloves around his wrists.. as I locked them on I knew we were a match!

(in reply to Proprietrix)
Profile   Post #: 21
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 11:43:12 AM   
MsIncognito


Posts: 742
Joined: 5/24/2005
Status: offline
As a fat person I don't have a problem with the word fat. To me it's more about HOW the person says it than WHAT they say. The word "rubenesque" can be said with just as much hatred and derision as the word fat if that's what one intends. The only term that makes me bristle is BBW because in my experience the majority of overweight women who use this as a term of empowerment really don't feel all that good about themselves and seem to use it as a way to prop themselves up (just in my experience, I'm sure there are some out there who really do like themselves the way they are and aren't just trying to convince themselves of it). I have excess adipose tissue. That makes me fat. As a general rule I don't find that descriptor any more  offensive than any other.

quote:


I don't like to use the word "fat." I don't know why, maybe it's like Proprietrix said, maybe it is an issue I have with myself. I am comfortable being underweight, but having to raise a child who was considered highly overweight genetically, and watching him struggle as an adolescent, and with all the bullying that he got, and all he really just tried so hard to fit in with the cool "thin" kids. It just really bothers me that someone could be labled as anything with such negativity behind it.

I agree the remarks were rude, but yes I also thought it even harder to read "my master hates fat ppl" posts. I'm just too sensitive for these kind of things.

(in reply to NINASHARP)
Profile   Post #: 22
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 12:14:26 PM   
NikkiAnn


Posts: 64
Joined: 5/7/2006
From: Redford, MI (near Detroit)
Status: offline
quote:

Its only opinions and everyone has one. I guess I need to develope a thicker skin to take less offense to it and try to pull the positive out of it.

Thanks for replying,

Nina


     This reminds me of an old saying; "Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one and some of them stink".

     Nikki Ann

_____________________________

DANCE as though no one is watching,
LOVE as though you have never been hurt before,
SING as though no one can hear you,
LIVE as though heaven is on earth.--Souza

(in reply to NINASHARP)
Profile   Post #: 23
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 1:51:52 PM   
RiotGirl


Posts: 3149
Status: offline
quote:

You're just going to have to learn the difference between being passionate about something, and expecting anything to happen because of that passion WITHOUT becoming depressed. You really only can control yourself.


LA is right.  Though completely understand your point of view.  Hopefully, unknown to many ppl this slave is also extremely extremely sensitive.  Ug.  Totally sucks doesnt it?  one's aunt said something unpleasant about this slave's life and this one literally had to leave the table she was at to hide her oh so non poker face.  Not that what the aunt said was mean.. or nice.. just a personal opionon.  LOL its not hard to hurt this one's feelings.  Harsh look, harsh word.  Its always been a problem.  So easily put into tears.  Ug. 

There's a way to mostly fix it.  Its the way you look at things.  You need to seperate what and who matters from what and who doesnt.  Course there are some ppl who dont really matter yet seem to get a sword in. 

First realise everyone has a right to their opionon and it doesnt make them right (or wrong)
Then remember it doesnt really matter what they think. 
Gain some semblence of confidence in yourself
toughen up abit
never let em see you cry OR get upset.  (and if you cant help it - try and approach it in a different manner)
Learn to insult yourself and tolerate it.  Make the words meaningless. 
Learn what your faults and strengths are. 
Learn to ignore the hurt or whatever's upseting you

Dunno if these steps are right.  Oh wait.. got it!  Just remember not to care.  Who cares?  Why do you care?  Who cares what a bunch of ppl on the net and even ppl in life think?  So what if hugging us skinny chicks is like hugging a broom handle?  So what if others are afraid they'll break us?  Confidence....   size really means nothing doesnt it?  Nothing really means anything, least of all what others think.  Think you'll ever meet them?  Be face to face?  Think they'll ever be a part of your life?  Most likely not and if it is a possibility then obviously you care abit. 

Really sweetie, you need to learn to not care.  What taught this slave was all the constantly moving around. Just more nameless faces..... constantly surrounded by nameless faces.  They get replaced by other nameless faces.  One of the reasons she acts the way she does is cos it doesnt matter.  Who cares if others dont like her?  In 6 months she wont even know them anymore.  The max a couple of years.  Point being, here on the net and even the forums.. think you'll be here in 5 years?  10 years?  Most likely not.  Life is ever changing, moving.  Nothing stays the same or stays in place.  Why worry about what others say when in a blink of an eye they'll be gone? 

Just repeat.. who cares?

(in reply to LuckyAlbatross)
Profile   Post #: 24
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 2:24:39 PM   
caitlyn


Posts: 3473
Joined: 12/22/2004
Status: offline
"Button pushing posts" fall into three general categories:
 
1. Responses that take something that is said out of context, or apply meaning that was never intended. You see that quite often on this board, and from a variety of well meaning and intelligent people. I probably do this all the time, but of course you never see it when you are the one doing it. All the more reason to not get too upset when you see it ... the poster probably isn't even aware they did it. If that isn't a good enough reason ... then consider that they may be making a "Jeopardy Response" where they have already decided the answer, and need to make the post they are responding to, fit as the question.
 
2. Posts that state positions that are radically different from yours. No simple answer here ... if you can't deal with differing opinions, expressed bluntly ... then go watch cartoons or something.
 
3. Posts that are just rude. No simple answer to this one either. Perhaps just say to youself, (if a female poster), "Oh, will you go out and get yourself laid already!", or (if a male poster), "Ok, we get that small penis thing you have working for you ... can we fucking move on already?"

(in reply to NINASHARP)
Profile   Post #: 25
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 3:55:47 PM   
LaTigresse


Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006
Status: offline
you girls are just so darn smart, I hope the guys in your life recognise that

(in reply to caitlyn)
Profile   Post #: 26
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 5:12:55 PM   
CreativeDominant


Posts: 11032
Joined: 3/11/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse

Nina, perhaps your sensitivity helps balance those of us that have a serious deficit. ( yes, I have often been accused of such)


Say it isn't so, Tigresse....

(in reply to LaTigresse)
Profile   Post #: 27
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 5:30:38 PM   
candystripper


Posts: 3486
Joined: 11/1/2005
Status: offline
quote:

In one of my anthro classes about ethnicity I about came unglued by this kid who was constantly attacking discrimination laws, talking about "reverse racism", and basically at times sounded like he was a member of the KKK. I was very sensitive to others who were minorities in the class, and since this was my department I talked to my professor about this kid (one of my fav profs btw). I went on and on about this guy because it really bugged me, and my professor said a couple of things that really opened me up to being truly tolerant (which I am still working on the tolerance thing).

One, people with intolerance issues often have some inner pain they are working on. They are ignorant and afraid.

Two, being an anthropologist means I do not get to judge people for their intolerances, because then I am only contributing to it. Most PEOPLE have some sort of intolerance, just depends on what category of intolerance it is. Some hate rich people, some poor, some fat, some thin, some hate ugly people, some hate others because of their religion... People are often convinced to fight wars based on intolerance and hatred of that which is different.. My job was to try to understand the process of it and document it....Not to get personally involved in it, and only to point out how illogical it is when appropriate. I should try not to get emotional about it because as an anthropologist I was going to be around A LOT of prejudice.

I thought about what he said, and it took me some time to realize how I needed to try to own those words. Tolerance starts with self, just like peace does. It never ceases to amaze me that people want the world to accept their kink, for example, but they can't accept others. They snicker behind other people's backs and so on. It is a part of life I suppose. Remember it isn't personal towards you, it is their issue. Im still working on it myself, and it has been rather hard for me too.

juliaoceania


IMHO, intolerance of bigots is a differential from some of what you described experiencing as an anthropolgy major.  i am reminded of the quote "all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing".  i take any bigoted remark personally (being various things, including a perv, i presume i'm on their s**tlist as well).  i also think of my friends of the color/ethnicity/sexualorientation/etc being ridiculed or worse, imagine them standing next to me, watching me remain silent.  i know it would break their hearts, and i cannot cause such pain.
 
i do not understand bigotry; i know it is taught.  No baby comes into this world with hatred in its heart.  But why is it taught?  How?  By whom?  And for what reason? 
 
So, for those reasons and so many more, i am extremely confrontational with bigots; in r/l as well as here...in fact, i never really expected to see one here.  As pervs W/we are (somewhat) under assault by the Religious Right and the Bush Administration, so i would have expected an oppressed people to have the wits to recognise bigotry when they see it, even in T/themselves.
 
candystripper


(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 28
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 6:38:46 PM   
TemptingNviceSub


Posts: 3054
Joined: 10/1/2005
Status: offline
To the OP..Generally I tend to look at post, and try, as reading through, them not to take offense even when it seems to be directed in a general way toward me or my beliefs..such as when some people deride the novice in WIITWD.or think less of novice opinions or weight issues or differing practises of BDSM and ad infinitum..but occasionally I too will fall into that pit of sensitivity and take it personally...but I truly try to only take away the differing viewpoint and learn from it....and not focus on how it may or may not personally affect me...be well..Tempting

(in reply to candystripper)
Profile   Post #: 29
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 7:46:21 PM   
feastie


Posts: 1793
Joined: 6/4/2004
Status: offline
There are plenty of times I hit the cancel button or the back button or just close a thread because what's being posted gets on my last nerve.  Any of the political posts will do it, and the religious posts...there are others as well.  I just skip them.  Or I'll wait a couple days and come back to it, because my outlook might change and I'll get a different feeling than the one I had before, or at least be able to post coherently without flaming someone.

_____________________________

Snarky and loving it.

Disclaimer: Any views expressed in any post are my opinions only. They may or may not be yours.

(in reply to TemptingNviceSub)
Profile   Post #: 30
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 8:07:14 PM   
zumala


Posts: 1121
Joined: 6/16/2005
Status: offline
Nina,
 
I admit, I was bothered by the broom comment as well.  I did respond on that thread a couple of times, but I did so in a fashion that was (I hope) inoffensive.  It's okay to be sensitive.  You just have to know when to step back and think about it before you say anything. 
 
Proprietrix,
 
There's a difference between calling a skinny person a broom and saying things like 'I prefer brunettes over blondes', or 'I prefer tall people over short people'.  If you want a more direct comparison, you'd have to say something like 'I don't like people who look like match sticks (redheads).'  Or maybe 'Short people remind me of little trolls'.  'Tall people are like stringbeans.'  Hopefully I've made the difference in phrasing easy to see.  I think that's why Nina and myself (and possibly others who haven't spoken) were offended by the broom statement.  Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of for future reference.
 
zuma

< Message edited by zumala -- 5/24/2006 8:19:27 PM >

(in reply to fastlane)
Profile   Post #: 31
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 8:23:40 PM   
NINASHARP


Posts: 295
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: NJ/NYC
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: LaTigresse

Nina, perhaps your sensitivity helps balance those of us that have a serious deficit. ( yes, I have often been accused of such)


You made me laugh out loud at that thought.  And worse my boss came in before I could respond to you and so I had to quickly log out.  

_____________________________

My stiletto boots fit like gloves around his wrists.. as I locked them on I knew we were a match!

(in reply to LaTigresse)
Profile   Post #: 32
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 8:24:50 PM   
NINASHARP


Posts: 295
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: NJ/NYC
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: candystripper

quote:

In one of my anthro classes about ethnicity I about came unglued by this kid who was constantly attacking discrimination laws, talking about "reverse racism", and basically at times sounded like he was a member of the KKK. I was very sensitive to others who were minorities in the class, and since this was my department I talked to my professor about this kid (one of my fav profs btw). I went on and on about this guy because it really bugged me, and my professor said a couple of things that really opened me up to being truly tolerant (which I am still working on the tolerance thing).

One, people with intolerance issues often have some inner pain they are working on. They are ignorant and afraid.

Two, being an anthropologist means I do not get to judge people for their intolerances, because then I am only contributing to it. Most PEOPLE have some sort of intolerance, just depends on what category of intolerance it is. Some hate rich people, some poor, some fat, some thin, some hate ugly people, some hate others because of their religion... People are often convinced to fight wars based on intolerance and hatred of that which is different.. My job was to try to understand the process of it and document it....Not to get personally involved in it, and only to point out how illogical it is when appropriate. I should try not to get emotional about it because as an anthropologist I was going to be around A LOT of prejudice.

I thought about what he said, and it took me some time to realize how I needed to try to own those words. Tolerance starts with self, just like peace does. It never ceases to amaze me that people want the world to accept their kink, for example, but they can't accept others. They snicker behind other people's backs and so on. It is a part of life I suppose. Remember it isn't personal towards you, it is their issue. Im still working on it myself, and it has been rather hard for me too.

juliaoceania


IMHO, intolerance of bigots is a differential from some of what you described experiencing as an anthropolgy major.  i am reminded of the quote "all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing".  i take any bigoted remark personally (being various things, including a perv, i presume i'm on their s**tlist as well).  i also think of my friends of the color/ethnicity/sexualorientation/etc being ridiculed or worse, imagine them standing next to me, watching me remain silent.  i know it would break their hearts, and i cannot cause such pain.
 
i do not understand bigotry; i know it is taught.  No baby comes into this world with hatred in its heart.  But why is it taught?  How?  By whom?  And for what reason? 
 
So, for those reasons and so many more, i am extremely confrontational with bigots; in r/l as well as here...in fact, i never really expected to see one here.  As pervs W/we are (somewhat) under assault by the Religious Right and the Bush Administration, so i would have expected an oppressed people to have the wits to recognise bigotry when they see it, even in T/themselves.
 
candystripper




I couldn't agree more.  Very well said.

Thanks,

Nina

(in reply to candystripper)
Profile   Post #: 33
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 8:28:29 PM   
NINASHARP


Posts: 295
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: NJ/NYC
Status: offline
Don't know how long I will be here since I'm not even close to being deranged yet, and still a newbie.  But I have to say I care, and thats why I become sensative. I wish there was a switch that I could turn on and off.  Maybe when I reach the number of posts you have I will have the same attitude, but I hope not.

Nina

(in reply to RiotGirl)
Profile   Post #: 34
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 8:33:00 PM   
NINASHARP


Posts: 295
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: NJ/NYC
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: caitlyn


2. Posts that state positions that are radically different from yours. No simple answer here ... if you can't deal with differing opinions, expressed bluntly ... then go watch cartoons or something.
 

I understand this now, and I hope that I can follow the advice thats been given, if not, there is always Family Guy.

Nina

BTW, nice mug shot!

_____________________________

My stiletto boots fit like gloves around his wrists.. as I locked them on I knew we were a match!

(in reply to caitlyn)
Profile   Post #: 35
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 8:35:11 PM   
NINASHARP


Posts: 295
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: NJ/NYC
Status: offline
As always, your posts are well thought out and your advice is well received.  Have to say I also love your quote. Sounds like you have quite a kid!

Thanks
Nina

_____________________________

My stiletto boots fit like gloves around his wrists.. as I locked them on I knew we were a match!

(in reply to feastie)
Profile   Post #: 36
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 8:45:48 PM   
NINASHARP


Posts: 295
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: NJ/NYC
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: TemptingNviceSub

To the OP..Generally I tend to look at post, and try, as reading through, them not to take offense even when it seems to be directed in a general way toward me or my beliefs..such as when some people deride the novice in WIITWD.or think less of novice opinions or weight issues or differing practises of BDSM and ad infinitum..but occasionally I too will fall into that pit of sensitivity and take it personally...but I truly try to only take away the differing viewpoint and learn from it....and not focus on how it may or may not personally affect me...be well..Tempting


I am glad I am not the only one who feels like this.  It is nice to hear about other ways to handle this.
Thanks Tempting.

quote:

ORIGINAL: zumala

Nina,
 
I admit, I was bothered by the broom comment as well.  I did respond on that thread a couple of times, but I did so in a fashion that was (I hope) inoffensive.  It's okay to be sensitive.  You just have to know when to step back and think about it before you say anything.  
 


Again thank you for responding, I'm starting to get it.  Try not to take things personal and when it gets too heated back away.  Thank you all for your help, I thought I was just being hyper sensitive, and have had trouble on other boards (vanilla) with this as well. I don't like to see people picked on period. It really bothers me when people think they are better than others and have to spell it out without typo's to try to prove it.

All who have responded. You've been a big help, at least with Forum Etiquette and being more optimisitic when it comes to reading posts and also controlling that sensitivity chip that goes off in my head.

Nina

_____________________________

My stiletto boots fit like gloves around his wrists.. as I locked them on I knew we were a match!

(in reply to zumala)
Profile   Post #: 37
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/24/2006 9:23:32 PM   
MstrTiger


Posts: 417
Joined: 1/14/2006
From: UK
Status: offline
I think that if people are being bigoted or racist then they should be told so, if you have an opposing viewpoint to someone else then I think you should not be shy about expressing it. I don’t agree with anyone that says we should accept bigoted or racist people just because we ourselves might have a preference for one hair colour over another, people who openly attack other people based on race, sexuality or sex should be countered and openly condemned we are not just casual observers of society we are active participants within it.

I realise I can sometimes be a bit provocative in some of my posts though I genuinely think that saying what is on my mind is good for me and I also think that if more people who are sensitive when it comes to issues like racism and other forms of bigotry or just basic downright bullshit were to do the same instead of just getting frustrated about it then they would be a lot happier also. Of what I have seen of these boards I think if someone expresses their viewpoint in a coherent and genuine way most people will take it in a positively even if it conflicts with their own stance.

(in reply to NINASHARP)
Profile   Post #: 38
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/25/2006 2:35:11 AM   
Calandra


Posts: 725
Joined: 11/22/2004
Status: offline
When I met my girl several years ago, I spent quite a bit of time and effort in helping her to see her body differently. I have always been large, and when I was younger I felt self conscious, but never to the extreme that nomi did.
 
Now we're both large women. I am big-boned, and very solid. I was a wallpaper-hanger for 12 years, and trust me, my legs are solid muscle from climbing up and down ladders hundreds of times daily (they're curvy too! LOL). Nomi on the other hand is what I lovingly call fluffy-fat. when you hug her it's like hugging the softest, sweetest pillow. ~ soft smiles~
 
We both have very different reasons for our weight as well... I was raised in a large, matriarchal family of southern cooks who had no clue about balanced nutrition. I have made many changes in my life in later years, but now that I am older, with diabetes and injuries from an auto accident that don't allow me to be as active, I find that loving myself regardless of size is important. She, on the other hand is one of those women who has a thyroid condition and a desk job all day every day. Neither one of us is lazy, unmotivated, or unworthy of love...
 
Another way we differ is how we responded to a world that didn't accept fat women. I, for the most part feel that "I don't have a weight problem, YOU have a problem with my weight" (Thanks Mo'nique for that awesome line - and that awesome movie "Phat Girls") Whereas nomi began very early to build walls around her heart and feel anger/worthlessness whenever she felt insecure.
 
She had taught her 5 yr. old daughter that "fat" was a curse word. ~sigh~
I've worked five years to help her to see herself differently... and to see that anyone who makes a judgement about someone based on such limited criteria (fat, skinny, short, tall, what-have-you) has a defect in themselves. She still has a long way to go, but she's learned to trust me when I pull her outta her shell, and usually thanks me later.
 
It's hard to live with yourself if you feel inferior to others for ANY reason, but you can change your thinking processes.
 
And if you feel a strong response to what someone says on any public forum... don't flame, just remember that one persons' post will be read by possibly hundreds of other people... Find a way to post a polite, but firm stand for your convictions. Who knows, you may put into words something that will change someone's life. It dosen't matter if you never meet the person.  The potential of helping someone else is enough reason for me to post.
 
Flames will lose credibility, but passion and self control will gain credibility every time...

(in reply to MsIncognito)
Profile   Post #: 39
RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? - 5/25/2006 12:26:27 PM   
tasha_tart


Posts: 385
Joined: 2/20/2004
From: Ontario, Canada
Status: offline
I can sympathize with your feelings on this.  I too get the same reaction fairly regularly to posts I see here, kind of a "WTF is wrong with his/her head?"
 
Sometimes I will reply to it, but more often I either type out a reply and delete before posting, or wait till the urge to reply goes away.
 
I usually ask myself a few questions:
  • will my post add anything to the discussion?  "I think you're an idiot!" is rarely a productive effort.
  • is there any upside to this reply?  Sometimes one looks just as bad as the original post by gracing it with a reply.
  • am I being too sensitive?  Just because I've had a button pushed, doesn't mean I have to vent that for the whole world to see.
  • am I really trying to further debate? 

If I can't satisfy myself that my reply is worth the effort, and my burning desire to flame the offender into oblivion wanes as I type my rebuttal, I usually hit "Cancel."
 
If I haven't felt immediately moved to reply, I may think on it for a while.  Usually the feeling passes.
 
Tasha

_____________________________


"Sex without love is an empty experience. But as empty experiences go, it's one of the better ones."...Woody Allen

(in reply to NINASHARP)
Profile   Post #: 40
Page:   <<   < prev  1 [2] 3   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> General BDSM Discussion >> RE: Is there any sense in being so sensitive? Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.109