KiaKaha
Banned
I have been doing some thinking about exclusion, and I wanted to make a thread to express why I find it so distasteful, and why its something I feel is detrimental to the well being of society as a whole.
I guess the reason I feel this way is because I often feel left out and unimportant myself - and when I see it happening from an objective outside perspective.... I feel a twinge of sadness .... and annoyance, and I wonder why no one else seems to be able to sense just how much hurt exclusion can cause other people....
- Why is it people dont like feeling excluded themselves but are quite prepared to do so when they are in a position that allows them to do so?
Lets face it... Nobody likes to feel left out, its not a good feeling.... and if one is subjected to exclusion enough, their mental and physical health will suffer. So why is it that if we all have an innate sense of needing to belong, we are prepared to form cliques and groups that include only some people and not others? Isnt that just a little hypocritical? I wonder... how would it feel if people in those groups were on the outside instead? Would they still agree with exclusivity?
Elitism
What makes people think they have the right to exclude....? My personal value is that ALL people have something to contribute - and should be allowed the same basic rights as everyone else. Now before anyone starts, let me say this - I am not talking about groups of people, or organizations that have a common interest - I realize everyone is different and have individual values and pursuits that we all find important, not everyone is going to see things the same way. What I am talking about instead is common ground that we all may share, and all have something to contribute toward. Let say for instance I join a club of somekind - lets say a shooting club. I attend, I participate, I get involved with the activities and hone my skills - but from THAT group, stems another group - more or less the same thing - but only open to invitation. Why is it that that group has more weight? But more importantly... why is it only open to invitation...when its the same thing?
Equal Opportunity
One thing that I have always felt deep inside of myself and that I am very sensitive too is indirect discrimination. Unfortunately I cant prove this... its a feeling I have, not something that I have any real evidence for....and even if I could, I doubt very few of us would be willing to admit it.
Exclusion is part of this. All of us want to be part of the best. How many people want to associate themselves with people who are homeless? Or with people who have severe psychological problems, those who live in poverty, or who are diseased? Hell...lets make it more superficial... how about those who are obviously physically unattractive, who have no money, poor social skills... or even those who simply unemployed...?
I have noticed the more undesirable one is, the less people want anything to do with them. Its a cycle... sure there are agencies and charities to help those who live this way, but thats not enough. Its the exclusion, the blind eye that society has toward these kinds of people. No one wants anything to do with them, and as a result end up in situations most of us wouldnt think of, but I also think, that people dont realize that they are doing this. But even on a smaller scale - its the same thing. People want to associate with those who they feel can make them appear better off than they are.
Crime/Poverty
There is scientific sociological research suggesting links between crime and other social issues with those who feel they are not valued by society.
I read it in a book. Seriously... do I really need to explain why?
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly people forget when their appetite for their own desire is satiated.... When people get what they want, they forget about other people who dont have the same thing.... and before anyone says it, I do it too.. I am no exception. I think an awareness and a general consideration and compassion for other people is severely lacking in the world. I think selfishness is a self perpetuating cycle. I believe in affirmative action, I also find myself becoming more and more anti elitist. I sometimes wish that I was more likeable and that people would warm up to me a lot more... but deep down... I dont think I would really be comfortable with that (well perhaps popularity - it would be nice to have more weight and social standing so I could do something about it all. - but I also believe my inability to make people like me and desire my company keeps me grounded) I would rather hang out with the forgotten and unpopular, because they have just as much worth as anyone else.
I do my best to include everybody - I may not be the most positive person out there, but if there is one thing that I can say - I try to make everyone feel like they are wanted, because I know how it feels to not feel wanted.
/rant
I guess the reason I feel this way is because I often feel left out and unimportant myself - and when I see it happening from an objective outside perspective.... I feel a twinge of sadness .... and annoyance, and I wonder why no one else seems to be able to sense just how much hurt exclusion can cause other people....
- Why is it people dont like feeling excluded themselves but are quite prepared to do so when they are in a position that allows them to do so?
Lets face it... Nobody likes to feel left out, its not a good feeling.... and if one is subjected to exclusion enough, their mental and physical health will suffer. So why is it that if we all have an innate sense of needing to belong, we are prepared to form cliques and groups that include only some people and not others? Isnt that just a little hypocritical? I wonder... how would it feel if people in those groups were on the outside instead? Would they still agree with exclusivity?
Elitism
What makes people think they have the right to exclude....? My personal value is that ALL people have something to contribute - and should be allowed the same basic rights as everyone else. Now before anyone starts, let me say this - I am not talking about groups of people, or organizations that have a common interest - I realize everyone is different and have individual values and pursuits that we all find important, not everyone is going to see things the same way. What I am talking about instead is common ground that we all may share, and all have something to contribute toward. Let say for instance I join a club of somekind - lets say a shooting club. I attend, I participate, I get involved with the activities and hone my skills - but from THAT group, stems another group - more or less the same thing - but only open to invitation. Why is it that that group has more weight? But more importantly... why is it only open to invitation...when its the same thing?
Equal Opportunity
One thing that I have always felt deep inside of myself and that I am very sensitive too is indirect discrimination. Unfortunately I cant prove this... its a feeling I have, not something that I have any real evidence for....and even if I could, I doubt very few of us would be willing to admit it.
Exclusion is part of this. All of us want to be part of the best. How many people want to associate themselves with people who are homeless? Or with people who have severe psychological problems, those who live in poverty, or who are diseased? Hell...lets make it more superficial... how about those who are obviously physically unattractive, who have no money, poor social skills... or even those who simply unemployed...?
I have noticed the more undesirable one is, the less people want anything to do with them. Its a cycle... sure there are agencies and charities to help those who live this way, but thats not enough. Its the exclusion, the blind eye that society has toward these kinds of people. No one wants anything to do with them, and as a result end up in situations most of us wouldnt think of, but I also think, that people dont realize that they are doing this. But even on a smaller scale - its the same thing. People want to associate with those who they feel can make them appear better off than they are.
Crime/Poverty
There is scientific sociological research suggesting links between crime and other social issues with those who feel they are not valued by society.
I read it in a book. Seriously... do I really need to explain why?
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly people forget when their appetite for their own desire is satiated.... When people get what they want, they forget about other people who dont have the same thing.... and before anyone says it, I do it too.. I am no exception. I think an awareness and a general consideration and compassion for other people is severely lacking in the world. I think selfishness is a self perpetuating cycle. I believe in affirmative action, I also find myself becoming more and more anti elitist. I sometimes wish that I was more likeable and that people would warm up to me a lot more... but deep down... I dont think I would really be comfortable with that (well perhaps popularity - it would be nice to have more weight and social standing so I could do something about it all. - but I also believe my inability to make people like me and desire my company keeps me grounded) I would rather hang out with the forgotten and unpopular, because they have just as much worth as anyone else.
I do my best to include everybody - I may not be the most positive person out there, but if there is one thing that I can say - I try to make everyone feel like they are wanted, because I know how it feels to not feel wanted.
/rant
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