If my experience has taught me anything - it is that you can't define people by one action or a group of actions, no matter how much you may want to. It's easier that way of course. But here's the thing? People are capable of change. They don't stay stagnant. And you don't always know why they do what they've done - nor do you know if you would do the same thing if you were literally in their shoes.
My criminal defense professor used to say before every lecture - "there but for the grace of god go I." And my Granny often stated, in far less religious terms, "you never know a person unless you walk a mile in their moccassins."
It's so easy to judge other people - but I think understanding people is far harder and requires a bit more effort and skill. And art, stories, etc can help that. Also stories can be healing and informative.
I get wanting to boycott a work like Mein Kamp or say pedophile porn/erotica - or a video game called Rape Play (which does exist and is revolting and has been banned in the US, thank ghod.) But not a work that can be informative and doesn't necessarily further propaganda or an agenda. I think there is a difference.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2014-07-03 12:03 am (UTC)If my experience has taught me anything - it is that you can't define people by one action or a group of actions, no matter how much you may want to. It's easier that way of course. But here's the thing? People are capable of change. They don't stay stagnant. And you don't always know why they do what they've done - nor do you know if you would do the same thing if you were literally in their shoes.
My criminal defense professor used to say before every lecture - "there but for the grace of god go I." And my Granny often stated, in far less religious terms, "you never know a person unless you walk a mile in their moccassins."
It's so easy to judge other people - but I think understanding people is far harder and requires a bit more effort and skill. And art, stories, etc can help that. Also stories can be healing and informative.
I get wanting to boycott a work like Mein Kamp or say pedophile porn/erotica - or a video game called Rape Play (which does exist and is revolting and has been banned in the US, thank ghod.) But not a work that can be informative and doesn't necessarily further propaganda or an agenda. I think there is a difference.