Thats not funny

I've been thinking about talking about the recent murders in the GLBTQ community. I wasn't sure how and where to approach it from. I have read some articles on the deaths on cnn.com, hrc.org, etc. The thing that I have noticed is that most of the articles don't really focus on the "bigger picture". While many people are talking about hate crime legislation, I think the thing that is being left out is the upbringing of our children, especially in which the way we talk, joke, and live.

There are plenty of times when a racist, sexists or homophobic joke has been told and I've laughed or snickered. What I could/should have done was not laugh, say that it wasn't funny, or even walk away. I think that if we did this, it would be a slow start to changing how people think or talk about the people around them. Speaking of being around other people, I see that as another problem. If we are always around the same people and taught that there are "other people" or even that there are good people and bad people.

If you're like me and see the news and ask what can I do to help but always come away feeling powerless, think about the way you have conversations with people during breaks at work, or examine the places you shop or where you go to eat, or who you spend your time with. Are you teaching your children the importance of diversity? I think that it all starts there.

Valuable resources:
www.hrc.org
www.stopthehate.org
www.tolerance.org
www.rememberinglawrence.org