A Challenge

I just read an article on jezebel.com that pointed out how fat-shaming isn't going to make people thinner and really just creates a toxic environment. It doesn't do anyone any good, in other words. Then, I watched a snippet of the news on cnn.com about a girl who was driven to suicide from bullying. This is certainly an all too familiar issue, isn't it? Topping this cake of despair is the recent passing of Amendment 1 in North Carolina that prohibits same-sex marriage AND same-sex civil unions. True, President Obama freaking finally spoke out in support of marriage equality, but it's just not enough to turn my frown upside down.

I mean, what the fuck is wrong with people?

How hard is it to be nice? How difficult can it possibly be to not bully someone to the point where they feel like death is their only option? How laborious is it to bite your tongue instead of calling someone a "fatty" or any other of the far-too numerous synonymous insults? And why the HELL is there even a debate going on as to whether or not consenting adults should be able to get married? What is this crap about the "sanctity" of marriage? You know what? Only my husband and I have any effect on our marriage. Kim Kardashian's 72-day circus of a marriage didn't undermine ours. Newt Gingrich's numerous affairs didn't hurt us. So how on earth will allowing loving same-sex couples the same damn right enjoyed by hetero folks cause marriage to suddenly become sullied? Answer: IT WON'T.

Just be nice! I don't care if your religion dictates that you can't support gay marriage. Not supporting something isn't the same as acting like a dick. Suck it up, go to church, and freaking move on. I don't care if you don't like fat people. Truth is, they probably hate you, too, or they would if they knew how hard it is for you to not be such an asshole. Fat people are out there, ladies and gents. Pointing and screaming isn't going to do a damn thing. I don't care if that kid who sits across from you in English class is socially awkward and you think his glasses look funny. If you derive pleasure from another person's suffering, you are the real freak. It's not him.

I'm throwing down this gauntlet, people of the world. Stop being mean. Try to go just one day without throwing out a racial slur or a fat joke or calling someone a "fag." For once, don't taunt that kid from your English class (or wherever). Refrain from polluting the atmosphere with hateful words/signs/slogans and then be amazed at the end of the day when you find that you didn't implode and your god didn't smite you. Check your blood pressure - I bet it's lower. And if you're up for it, take up the challenge the next day and the next. Take it up for a week, a month, a year, the rest of your life. There's this part in "The Brothers Bloom" when the character Penelope tells one of the Bloom brothers that his soul is constipated and full of grumpy, petrified poop. That's you, mean people of the world. It's time to unclench and let all that awful, spiteful poop go. You'll feel better and you'll no longer be full of shit. (ba-dum bum)

Seriously.