Wahh, I binged this entire thing, lolol Growing up in a relatively accepting community at a bit of a different time, it was difficult for me to relate much. But this comic made me realize the "no tolerance for intolerance" mindset can be a bit of a privilege at times, and its misuse can also be dangerous. I remember in high school, I was one of the only out kids. I knew quite a few homophobes. But by just being myself and not getting mad at them (although that would be justified) they ended up becoming more tolerant. There were some moments when reading where I was cringing and thinking "what a horrible person!" but then I remembered that no one thinks they're a terrible person. We're all doing what we think is best based on knowledge avaliable... and the thoughts characters have could easily be held by us, if our situations were different. If I didn't have a kind and compassionate mom... if I didn't meet the people I did... I could have been hateful while thinking I was justified in being cruel. I imagine this comic was very helpful during the time it was published in the early 2000's. And it reminds me that no one wants to be yelled at or lectured about why they're a horrible person... Why they're intolerant and evil and should be shunned by society. That just makes hatred grow and fester... and emboldens people by making them (ironically) feeling like the victims in the scenario. So in an odd way, this comic reminded me, as a queer person, to be more tolerant to those who are ignorant. That a lot of them are just uneducated or unfamiliar... and if it's safe to and I can afford to, to just... show them I'm normal. (But if someone refuses to learn, I won't waste my time)
Wahh, I binged this entire thing, lolol
Growing up in a relatively accepting community at a bit of a different time, it was difficult for me to relate much. But this comic made me realize the "no tolerance for intolerance" mindset can be a bit of a privilege at times, and its misuse can also be dangerous.
I remember in high school, I was one of the only out kids. I knew quite a few homophobes. But by just being myself and not getting mad at them (although that would be justified) they ended up becoming more tolerant.
There were some moments when reading where I was cringing and thinking "what a horrible person!" but then I remembered that no one thinks they're a terrible person. We're all doing what we think is best based on knowledge avaliable... and the thoughts characters have could easily be held by us, if our situations were different. If I didn't have a kind and compassionate mom... if I didn't meet the people I did... I could have been hateful while thinking I was justified in being cruel.
I imagine this comic was very helpful during the time it was published in the early 2000's. And it reminds me that no one wants to be yelled at or lectured about why they're a horrible person... Why they're intolerant and evil and should be shunned by society. That just makes hatred grow and fester... and emboldens people by making them (ironically) feeling like the victims in the scenario.
So in an odd way, this comic reminded me, as a queer person, to be more tolerant to those who are ignorant. That a lot of them are just uneducated or unfamiliar... and if it's safe to and I can afford to, to just... show them I'm normal. (But if someone refuses to learn, I won't waste my time)