Open Mind, Empty Head
I'm always one to advocate freedom of speech. I like what anti-censorship institutions like the CBLFD (Comic Book Legal Defense Fund) stand for and protect. The freedom for any person to be able to express their views without having duct tape slapped across their mouths, blindfolds wrapped around their eyes, and then getting beaten until they submit to someone else's opinions is an important one.
However, the sword is double-sided. If you allow for freedom of speech, by the same token you have to let complete idiots be able to shout out the saddest dialogues and vulgarities that they want. I'm glad I in turn have the freedom to disagree with them, and tell them this to their face should I choose to...but I'd rather not have to face a society that panders to such idiots in the first place.
So naturally I can only groan and shake my head at the ever-ebbing faith I have in humanity in light of recent events. Earlier tonight, Mel & I walked past the elementary school as we took Shady outside, and saw spray-painted on the walls various grammatical uses of the word "fuck" in relation to the school and some of its teachers. This message was concluded by a peace symbol and the words "peace out."
The only silver lining I can see is that at least they manage to spell everything correctly.
This having been March Break, I don't know if any of the teachers have been around the school and noticed the graffiti. This also being Friday night, I don't know if any teachers or custodial staff will be around over the weekend and notice it before school resumes Monday morning. Mel & I are going to try and contact someone at the school to at least know they are aware of the graffiti. Ideally it can be blacked out before Monday. Sure, most of the kids probably know all the swears and have uttered them on one
I think it's more the audacity to use the words "peace out" that has me particularly perturbed. It's unintentionally ironic that such blatant rage-inciting remarks be rounded out by a word that is meant to symbolize its complete antithesis. Personally, I find it a rather public act of cowardice; if you can't say such things outright in front of those you have a problem with, then spray-painting it across a wall isn't going to make you seem any more impressive. Personal delusions notwithstanding, of course.
There's exercising your freedom to speak your mind, even if it's rather unpopular or ill-conceived or outright narrow-minded. And then there's being a right arrogant tit who perhaps deserves a little bit of Clockwork Orange therapy. I'm not a particularly violent man, but if I do happen to be in a conversation with the twit(s) responsible for spray painting that across an elementary school, and they congradulate themselves for it, I think my immediate response will be to let my fist do the talking. I'll let it make one profound statement, and then leave the room to allow for my opinion to sink in further.
Today's Lesson: postponed until I reassert my faith in humanity again.
posted by Phillip at 8:35 PM
