Questions - discuss in comments
Do you think that if you experience an "ism" such as ageism, sexism, racism, disablism etc but do nothing about it other than getting mad/upset about you should/you do become as bad as those who commit the "ism" because by passively allowing them to continue you condone their behaviour?
Which is funnier, a friend of a friend coming up to me on the boat this afternoon to ask if I wanted to go for a "wee wee" or someone else pointing to a memorial headstone in a shop we were outside this evening and announcing out of the blue that he wants that very headstone?
I'm listening to a song at the moment that includes the lyric I know in life there's a deeper meaning. Do you agree or disagree with that statement and why?
Finally, we drove past trafalger square this morning. Just what is the point of the statute of a pregnant Alison Lapper that is there? Is there even a point to it?
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3 comments:
The ism question: I think if in the long run you do nothing other than sit there passively, yes you are just as bad, but that does not mean imo that you have to speak up about it at every moment the ism is occuring.
Which is funnier? ;) you keep odd company my dear!
Deeper meaning? I think at times it does us good to realise that today's upsets are tomorrows vague memories and to "look at the bigger picture". However I don't believe that there's a deeper spiritual meaning (other than a we become fodder for the soil) or a map set out for us.
Alison Lapper? I persoally love the statue as a piece of art in itself and I think it signifies a lot to have a HUGE statue of a PREGNANT DISABLED WOMAN up. What do I think it signifies? It's like a marker in history really. Up until now there have been statues, mainly of men, mainly who are already dead, usually for war efforts. Not for being alive, being vibrant etc
Talk about a deep n meaningful to get you going in the morning! x
I agree with Sair on the --ism question. If you complain, bemoan and do nothing about it and martyr yourself for the --ism, then yes, you're as bad as zee person commiting the --ism. However, that doesn't mean you should go overboard in your actions and in speaking up every time someone commits an --ism. Do something about it yes, but don't be extreme.
I may have lost my sense of humor on this one, my dear, because I find neither funny. The first one would raise my temper a bit, and the second--well, to be honest, I've looked at headstones off and on, wondering which style I want.
I think you know I agree with that. That life has a deeper meaning, and it answers the questions of "Why are here?" and "Where are we going after we die?" But as I told you it has to do with my religious beliefs...so I won't post them here. I will just say we are here to be tested and to strive to be better as individuals. And that there is eternity and life after death.
Having never been to Trafalger Square I am unaware of what's there, beyond what I read or hear about. If there is a statue of a pregnant disabled woman, I say, "WOW!" If that is up then it definitely says something about our time and changing attitudes.
Are you sure you want to get me started on the Alison Lapper statue?
From my postmodernism learning journal: "By depicting a woman who is both pregnant and disabled, Quinn challenges our ideas of beauty. He forces us to confront our prejudices and look at Alison as a “beautiful woman” rather than a “disabled woman", showing us that it is possible to be both."
As Sair and Shi said, look how far we've come if we now have a gigantic statue of a pregnant disabled woman in Trafalgar Square. The focus isn't so much on Alison but on society's attitude towards disabled people.
There's also some subtle irony there - a reference to the classical statues of "perfect" figures, whose limbs have broken off over time.
I think it's a great piece, on so many levels. :)
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