I know many blogs will comment on the day. It is the 40th anniversary of Stonewall. Since some of my readers may not know what this is, let me tell you – in psychological terms.
40 years ago, there was a riot when police raided the Stonewall Bar in New York City. It was a turning point, as these men and women ‘decided’ they would no long be Victims. There were no laws or social support to stop the horrible harassments and injustices towards which they were subjected.
At some point, Victims say “no more!”. They can not stand it. They stand up and fight back. It is often ugly, scary, and very slow. It takes a very long time to change a culture.
Although it is painful for all, whenever a person or group refuses to stay in the Victim mode, we all benefit.We become more conscious; we become a better culture.
There has been a lot of progress in 40 years. There is great need for more. Any group fresh out a Victim mode knows full well it is a slow progress. It scares and angers Others who feel threatened one way or another by the maturation of ex-Victims.
The ultimate goal of discarding Victim mentality is there are no Victims – and no Persecutors. There are merely people, without “Them” and “Us” in the lexicon. No one claims either psychology as there is no need or desire.
The Great Work continues. No more Victim – ever.
9 comments
June 28, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Ultra Dave
Very cool post. One of your top 5, I think!
June 28, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Cameron
It is quite a TRIP to be working in San Francisco right now. Totally CRAZY this Pride weekend! The theater even changed the show time from afternoon to evening to accommodate the parade. I’m not much into crowds, but would like to see the Parade someday when I’m *NOT* working.
June 28, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Diederick
“It is often ugly, scary, and very slow. It takes a very long time to change a culture.” Amen.
June 28, 2009 at 12:05 PM
anne marie in philly
I second ultra dave!
June 28, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Frogdancer
Imagine how brave (and how scared) those people must have been in the Stonewall Bar when they decided to resist. Wonderful stuff.
June 29, 2009 at 6:41 AM
A Lewis
You can only hold the lid on the boiling kettle of water for so long before it explodes and blows off.
June 29, 2009 at 7:18 AM
Karen
Maddog says it’s 30 years since Stonewall.
June 30, 2009 at 9:17 AM
Steven
I look forward to the day when a generation of people has to ask, “That really happened?”
July 1, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Chris
Happy Pride.
I was in NYC for the parade. It was a great weekend.
I love hanging out in Chelsea, NYC.