Headlines for the week of October 25, 2010
TV hosts Stewart, Colbert rally to lighten the mood on heavy subjects
By Tim German
Current Staff Writer
Do you know what discussions on race, religion, political agenda, and creed need a little bit more of? A sense of humor.
Ask anybody about any historical discrepancies in their religious text of choice, or any prejudice slightly sanctioned by their apostles or scholars, and you know what you’ll encounter: hostility. Anger. RAGE. You are more likely to get a punch in the face, than a handshake and a cordial, “Thank you, for the intelligent discussion.” Even with politics, tell someone that you disagree with them on an issue like gay marriage, affirmative action, taxes, state’s rights, gun rights, majority rights, minority rights, et cetera (What I really mean is disagree with someone on anything) and your good willed discussion will more than likely devolve into a shouting match involving the terms “bleeding heart liberal” or “right wing fascist”. Everybody simply needs to relax; take the serious matters less seriously.
That is why the Rally to Restore Sanity, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report’s Stephen Colbert’s take on political protest, is so welcome at this particular time in the United States. There’s so much stuff going on in America, from people being powerfully misinformed about “Ground Zero Mosques” that are neither at Ground Zero, nor mosques, to Tea Parties, with no apparent political agenda other than “RIOT”. America needs to relax. We need a good chance to lighten up, and accept that people disagree on things- on EVERYTHING- and there isn’t much more you can do about that then talk with them. The entire movement is about the comedy in disagreements, and the ability to laugh about not seeing eye to eye.
The comedic geniuses, John Stewart and Stephen Colbert, are more appropriate political role models for the younger generation than the common D.C. politician because not only are they surprisingly frank and honest (even when acting foolish), but they make us laugh, which no politicians really ever do (on purpose). (Also, let me just lower my ineptly crafted professional facade and say that I still laugh at the word truthiness, and think that it should be instituted in every U.S. Government class that is taught, ever.)
The Rally to Restore Sanity is on Oct. 30, in Washington DC, on the National Mall, 3rd Street and 7th Street, known as East Seaton Park and Henry Park. The event is totally free, so come down, relax, believe what you want to-without fighting people about it- and have a good laugh. Because that is pretty much what America needs right now.
Current Staff Writer
Do you know what discussions on race, religion, political agenda, and creed need a little bit more of? A sense of humor.
Ask anybody about any historical discrepancies in their religious text of choice, or any prejudice slightly sanctioned by their apostles or scholars, and you know what you’ll encounter: hostility. Anger. RAGE. You are more likely to get a punch in the face, than a handshake and a cordial, “Thank you, for the intelligent discussion.” Even with politics, tell someone that you disagree with them on an issue like gay marriage, affirmative action, taxes, state’s rights, gun rights, majority rights, minority rights, et cetera (What I really mean is disagree with someone on anything) and your good willed discussion will more than likely devolve into a shouting match involving the terms “bleeding heart liberal” or “right wing fascist”. Everybody simply needs to relax; take the serious matters less seriously.
That is why the Rally to Restore Sanity, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report’s Stephen Colbert’s take on political protest, is so welcome at this particular time in the United States. There’s so much stuff going on in America, from people being powerfully misinformed about “Ground Zero Mosques” that are neither at Ground Zero, nor mosques, to Tea Parties, with no apparent political agenda other than “RIOT”. America needs to relax. We need a good chance to lighten up, and accept that people disagree on things- on EVERYTHING- and there isn’t much more you can do about that then talk with them. The entire movement is about the comedy in disagreements, and the ability to laugh about not seeing eye to eye.
The comedic geniuses, John Stewart and Stephen Colbert, are more appropriate political role models for the younger generation than the common D.C. politician because not only are they surprisingly frank and honest (even when acting foolish), but they make us laugh, which no politicians really ever do (on purpose). (Also, let me just lower my ineptly crafted professional facade and say that I still laugh at the word truthiness, and think that it should be instituted in every U.S. Government class that is taught, ever.)
The Rally to Restore Sanity is on Oct. 30, in Washington DC, on the National Mall, 3rd Street and 7th Street, known as East Seaton Park and Henry Park. The event is totally free, so come down, relax, believe what you want to-without fighting people about it- and have a good laugh. Because that is pretty much what America needs right now.
AACC group provides support to the gay community
By Jennifer Moreland
Current Staff Writer
Bullied because of their sexual orientation within a matter of weeks six gay teens were driven to the point of suicide.
These young teens felt they had no other choice except to take their own lives, and it makes you wonder how alone a person must feel to make that choice.
A 2006 Massachusetts Youth Risk study showed that a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are 4 times more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual peers.
A 2009 study led by Dr. Caitlin Ryan conducted at San Francisco State University shows that adolescences that were rejected by their families for being LGBT were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide. For every completed suicide by a LGBT youth, it is estimated that 100-200 attempts are made.
LAMDA is an open and welcoming group to help promote, support, and advocate for the GLBTQA students here at AACC. To commemorate the recent suicide victims LAMDA participated in Purple Pride Day on October 20th 2010, where they wore purple and passed out ribbons. As well as spread the word about the club and what they have to offer.
Elizabeth Smith is a 22-year-old Bisexual, and has been an active member in the LAMDA for three years. Smith has decided not come out to her family.
Current Staff Writer
Bullied because of their sexual orientation within a matter of weeks six gay teens were driven to the point of suicide.
These young teens felt they had no other choice except to take their own lives, and it makes you wonder how alone a person must feel to make that choice.
A 2006 Massachusetts Youth Risk study showed that a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are 4 times more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual peers.
A 2009 study led by Dr. Caitlin Ryan conducted at San Francisco State University shows that adolescences that were rejected by their families for being LGBT were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide. For every completed suicide by a LGBT youth, it is estimated that 100-200 attempts are made.
LAMDA is an open and welcoming group to help promote, support, and advocate for the GLBTQA students here at AACC. To commemorate the recent suicide victims LAMDA participated in Purple Pride Day on October 20th 2010, where they wore purple and passed out ribbons. As well as spread the word about the club and what they have to offer.
Elizabeth Smith is a 22-year-old Bisexual, and has been an active member in the LAMDA for three years. Smith has decided not come out to her family.
“They’re very religious…I don’t know if they would definitely try to reject me, but they would try and change me, they would treat me differently at the least” say Smith. “I’m just open minded; it’s more about the person. Our parent’s generation doesn’t (get) that whole open concept; it just means you accept someone for who they are not what they are.”
For being who they are not only do GLBTQA youth have the fear of rejection at home, now school too has become a threat.
“I really think its kind of sad that they had to come that” Smith said “ I think its sad that they didn’t have anywhere they could go, they didn’t have any other options…nowadays I feel like there are a lot of options”
In this day and age, there really are a lot of options out there and LAMDA is one of them, as well as The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a
non-profit organization that offers a 24-7 lifeline for any GLBTQA contemplating suicide.
Smith added, “I think really what’s going to make a difference is talking to our friends and getting the word out there”.
Purple Pride Day was just the first step in the fight to save the young GLBTQA out there who think they’ve run out of options. The “It gets better” campaign by the Trevor Project is also a great move forward and a strong message that will hopefully prevent the loss of anymore lives.
"I think we need more awareness and understanding," said Sam Kishiyama. "Ignorance is what's fueling the homophobic hate." Kishiyama helped spread the word of Purple Pride Day handing out purple ribbons, buttons, and information on LAMBDA.
For being who they are not only do GLBTQA youth have the fear of rejection at home, now school too has become a threat.
“I really think its kind of sad that they had to come that” Smith said “ I think its sad that they didn’t have anywhere they could go, they didn’t have any other options…nowadays I feel like there are a lot of options”
In this day and age, there really are a lot of options out there and LAMDA is one of them, as well as The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a
non-profit organization that offers a 24-7 lifeline for any GLBTQA contemplating suicide.
Smith added, “I think really what’s going to make a difference is talking to our friends and getting the word out there”.
Purple Pride Day was just the first step in the fight to save the young GLBTQA out there who think they’ve run out of options. The “It gets better” campaign by the Trevor Project is also a great move forward and a strong message that will hopefully prevent the loss of anymore lives.
"I think we need more awareness and understanding," said Sam Kishiyama. "Ignorance is what's fueling the homophobic hate." Kishiyama helped spread the word of Purple Pride Day handing out purple ribbons, buttons, and information on LAMBDA.
