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Puppies and Rainbows and Pink
September 14, 2007 - 1:42pm — Julia Watson
I don't know about you, but when I dare to pick up a newspaper or turn on the evening news, it is often with the air of one sticking her hand into a tiger's cage. I know that I might regret the action. I know that I may be about to get bit. Nightmares may well be forthcoming. But from time to time, I do it anyway.
And sometimes, amidst the consumerism run amok, the human tragedy, and the rubbernecking that make up most of the news stories that find their way to me, there are little gems like this one that renew my faith in my fellow creatures, one random act of creative kindness at a time.
Do you remember the scene in "The Laramie Project" when, at a crucial point in the story, a group of folks led by a crafty and compassionate youngster dons halos, white robes and towering, fabric angel "wings" to block out the sight of hatemongering protesters? This story reminds me a little of that.
Here's what happened. At a high school in Nova Scotia this past month, a freshman lad showed up to his first day of school wearing a pink polo shirt. The 9th grader found himself cornered by a group of older kids who called him "gay" and threatened to do him bodily harm – all on account of his choice in wardrobe. It sounds like the school officials, one of whom was quoted in that PlanetOut article I linked to above, have the situation well in hand, which is heartening enough. But the part that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy is how some of the other students responded.
Seniors David Shepherd and Travis Price staged a pink out. Overnight, they organized as many of their fellow students as they could. And the next morning, they showed up at school armed with scores of pink tank tops for male students, lengths of material for pink armbands, and even a pink basketball. These kids even got a local retailer to open up early to dig through their stock for still more pink clothes. About half the student body, or 400 or so kids, are estimated to have taken part and shown their support.
At least one of the bullies cracked under the pink pressure. He is reported to have thrown chairs in the cafeteria, and to have confronted young Mr. Shepherd demanding if he knew that pink on a dude meant 'the gay.' David's response: So what?
If seventeen-year-olds can get it right, there is still hope for our species. The school principal is quoted as saying, "It doesn't surprise me at all they'd want to do this -- we have some great kids." Yes, yes we do.
(Image from the Halifax Chronicle Herald)
And sometimes, amidst the consumerism run amok, the human tragedy, and the rubbernecking that make up most of the news stories that find their way to me, there are little gems like this one that renew my faith in my fellow creatures, one random act of creative kindness at a time.
Do you remember the scene in "The Laramie Project" when, at a crucial point in the story, a group of folks led by a crafty and compassionate youngster dons halos, white robes and towering, fabric angel "wings" to block out the sight of hatemongering protesters? This story reminds me a little of that.
Here's what happened. At a high school in Nova Scotia this past month, a freshman lad showed up to his first day of school wearing a pink polo shirt. The 9th grader found himself cornered by a group of older kids who called him "gay" and threatened to do him bodily harm – all on account of his choice in wardrobe. It sounds like the school officials, one of whom was quoted in that PlanetOut article I linked to above, have the situation well in hand, which is heartening enough. But the part that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy is how some of the other students responded.
Seniors David Shepherd and Travis Price staged a pink out. Overnight, they organized as many of their fellow students as they could. And the next morning, they showed up at school armed with scores of pink tank tops for male students, lengths of material for pink armbands, and even a pink basketball. These kids even got a local retailer to open up early to dig through their stock for still more pink clothes. About half the student body, or 400 or so kids, are estimated to have taken part and shown their support.
At least one of the bullies cracked under the pink pressure. He is reported to have thrown chairs in the cafeteria, and to have confronted young Mr. Shepherd demanding if he knew that pink on a dude meant 'the gay.' David's response: So what?
If seventeen-year-olds can get it right, there is still hope for our species. The school principal is quoted as saying, "It doesn't surprise me at all they'd want to do this -- we have some great kids." Yes, yes we do.
(Image from the Halifax Chronicle Herald)
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18 Comments
Thank You
Thank you for sharing this story. These are the types of stories, and people, that should be getting our attention.
~I would enter your sleep if I could, and guard the thing that hounds you, but first you must dream of me.
I wore something pink
Julia, I read your blog yesterday. And then chose a pink shirt to wear when I went out. Liked what those kids did. Smile.
Nice story
I loved this story, I agree that with kids like those in the story there's still hope for this world.
This story reminded me of the time when my youngest son, then in 4th grade came to school with a pastel pink fleece jacket on. I watched him confidently stride across the school playground before school started. He walked up to me and obviously had noticed my baffled look. When he approached he said, "only real men can wear pink" then proceeded to get into line for class. Since he was and is one of the cool kids, the reaction from the other boys was immediate, one borrowed the jacket while still in line and I noticed that a few others began to wear pink also. The lesson my son taught me is that if you're comfortable and confident within yourself, others will respect that. Smart kid I have there. {:)
And the Children Shall Lead Them
We will win the culture war because we are out to our nieces and nephews as well as our own kids.
Your friend,
Rusty
[my blog]
+ + + + + + + +
Buffy: Hey, any apocalypse I avert without dying. Those are the easy ones.
Ain't it the truth. And...
Psst. Rusty! I just found out that I'm going to be an auntie!
Gonna have to get me an iron and some patches and make some little Buffy onesies. Grr. Arrgh.
"You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one." ~John Lennon
Julia the most important thing about being an auntie
Always have lollipops.
I learned this when I quit smoking. I always had candy and the niece and nephews knew it. I became the favorite aunt before I was down to 3 pieces of Nicorette a day.
Your friend,
Rusty
[my blog]
+ + + + + + + +
Buffy: Hey, any apocalypse I avert without dying. Those are the easy ones.
That's what you think!
Hey Julia, congratulations!
but remember kids are very resourceful
Lucy
People need to change their views
sorta happening at my school now
A chem II teacher at my school was caught in a gay porno. The lovely administration decided to fire him so a bunch of kids, including myself, wore armbands that said "reinstate". Its so stupid because this teacher was a really great teacher who doesn't deserve to be fired. Most of the kids agree that what you do in your personal life is your deal, it shouldn't affect your job. I doubt our efforts will actually do anything sense this is Texas but at least we tried.
Thanks for posting
Wow, that is a great story to read about. It makes all this coming-out and being gay thing a little less scary. Thanks for posting!
nice article
I love stuff like this. not to be picky, but the movie you're thinking of is The Laramie Project, not Angels in America. Both awesome movies. :)
Gold star for the lady on the surfboard...
You're right. Mi' bad.
"You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one." ~John Lennon
pink polo
guys have been wearing them for years... i have a lot of the "footy boys" friends (the guys who play football) and they love wearing pink... What the boys did organising the 'pink-out' is awesome.
it`s amazing
is great know there are kids like these...is sweet what they do.. ;) make me feel so good....
*applause*
there is indeed hope for the future with great kids like these.
"David's response: So what?" good for him :)
~Not Your Average Kind Of Girl~
*love*
that is the most beautiful thing i've heard in a while.
:]
This gives me hope.
It certainly warms the old
It certainly warms the old heart and soul to see some progression in human attitudes towards homosexuality.
I find it odd that in this day and age there are people who still think that pink is a girl or gay guy color. What the F. Parents, please instill some sense of fashion into your kids. Even the straight males need to learn how to dress for crying out loud. I can just see the Bully now...wardrobe filled with old baggy jeans or cargo pants and t-shirts, or (god please no) flannel shirts...not a chambray sweater nor striped oxford nor fall fabulous corduroy blazer nor heathered grey slacks in sight. Of course he's lashing out at pink polo boy. It's a natural reaction to his deep envy.
I think that's where all forms of bigotry stem from. Um, I mean they stem from jealousy, not from a lack of fashion sense. Straight people see us laughing and singing showtunes and looking good and creating art and getting laid on the first date and redecorating their drab spaces into fabo-habitats and making their wives achieve multiple orgasms and they think to themselves, "damn those queers! they shouldn't be able to have all these things if I can't have them!" The poor straight people...They still don't realize that these things are not exclusive to the homosexual community. If only they would open their minds just a little bit. If only they would stop trying to take things away from us (like respect and civil rights) and start working towards enriching their own lives. If only straight husbands would take a weekend pottery class with their wives and straight wives would go to a game or two with their husbands.
Anyway....kudos to the next generation for getting a handle on things a little better than their predecessors. And thanks for sharing the good news, Julia.
Aw
I love that. So awesome. I wish we had done that at my highschool.