tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638402958079714573.post8916100053885273880..comments2011-04-19T16:06:39.581-05:00Comments on Humanism and Human Rights: A Shift in Ideology or a Continuation of Instilling Fear?Doctor Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189506916480012553noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5638402958079714573.post-86714347915862050602011-02-22T15:20:00.969-06:002011-02-22T15:20:00.969-06:00Manali, your questions are similar in nature to th...Manali, your questions are similar in nature to the ones I would pose to Dan Savage. In response to your questions (should the bullies be more influenced/punished), I would venture to say that it would be nearly impossible to be heard among that crowd. That is not to say that nothing should be done, but as Savage said himself, the people who need lecturing aren't the ones who willfully attend his lectures. He may very well challenge viewpoints of those with the same ultimate goal, but I would be hard pressed to admit that those who need to be changed completely were in attendance. So does that mean there needs to be a more active approach than his already very active campaign? Perhaps. He has the podium, he has the voice, and he has the attention (good or bad) of the media, so yes, I do agree that something more should be done to address the bullies.<br /><br />I had one other question for Dan Savage though. His response to the question about language (using "gay" or "fag" in common discourse to replace "lame" or "stupid") surprised and made me uneasy. As a student here, as a visiting student elsewhere, and as an adolescent in the world we live in, to me language is one of the most passively aggressive ways that belittles and troubles the GLBT community. While it may be something that can be "sloughed off", the issue is that anyone and EVERYONE can use language in this way, making it a readily available weapon whether you realize it or not.BRBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17097764099250015740noreply@blogger.com