EAT SHIT, FAGGOT
by Cartoonist Jeff Swenson
10/2/2006
What's it like to have someone yell an insult at you for no reason and think that the insult has to do with being gay?
I'm writing this brief article on the spur of the moment because on the way home from walking to the Post Office a van of teenagers drove past me and yelled, "Eat Shit, Faggot."
I would guess that this kid who called me a name, if he doesn't mature in his thinking ablities, will end up trapped in job he doesn't like raising a family that annoys him.
Now I understand teenagers will be teenagers, which is why I can't stand most teenagers--they think life revolves around them (no offense intended towards those teens who visit here and aren't assholes)--but why did this particular boy choose to use the word faggot. I guess I'm naive in thinking that usage of the word fag and faggot went out with the eighties.
I realize teens use the word "gay" to the point that it has taken on a life of it's own, which is how language evolves whether you agree with the new usage or not. But this boy obviously knew he was trying to insult a complete stranger by calling me gay. "Faggot" is one of those terms that is the equivalent of "Nigger." It still has that power that society gives it. I believe some words like "Nigger" have too much power to the point that the sound of the word borders on superstition. "Faggot" may be in that same category still, I just thought that wasn't the case. That it was one of those words nobody used anymore, not necessarily because it's taboo but because it's so dated. I can remember kids calling each other fag and faggot on the school playground. Haven't things changed. I realize I'm in my early thirties but I figured it was archaic.
It's possible that kids pick up on these words from their parents and put them back in circulation, or it's possible that kids are told that word faggot is taboo and therefore they have to defy the taboo.
Whatever the case, the sound and spelling of the word isn't important. It's the intent. I have to admit that even though I'm not a homosexual, being told "Eat shit, faggot" made me angry enough that if the van had stopped I would have gone up to it and told the fucker off, teen or no teen. If you think it's cool to drive around and call people names without allowing them any recourse, such as kicking your teeth in, then you are--to use another term that may not be appropriate--a PUSSY!
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Seriously, teen or no teen. You want to call me a faggot then do it to my face. At least allow me the ability to make the mistake of hitting you in the face. I say mistake because of course I would probably be charged with assault even though the "pussy" deserved to get punched. I'm not a proponent of violence, however, I think at least with many American teens that they are plenty spoiled and undereducated and need to be humbled on occasion. This is because in Highschool there is a fantasy mentality that you can pick on whoever you want as long as you have your friends around you or you're the cool dude, etc. The real world doesn't work like that. In the real world you have the same kinds of wolf packs in the form of Christian Activist Groups, Far Right Extremists, and outright Hate Groups--but you can attack them. Why? Because it's not a game of violence, it's a game of speech and how effective you are at using speech.
I would guess that this kid who called me a name, if he doesn't mature in his thinking ablities, will end up trapped in job he doesn't like raising a family that annoys him. People like him aren't creative thinkers and don't strive for success. They follow the herd, and the herd mentality is a prison. I should know something about that. I was teased as a kid constantly through junior high and even up through highschool which is one of the factors that made me into a religious nut. I was searching for acceptance somewhere instead of feeling so alone. Thankfully, I was able to shed my religiosity but regardless of it I came out of my situation in public education trying to think differently and take chances instead of just getting by. Which is why I work as a cartoonist, humorist and writer. I'm not rich, but I'm not trapped by a job either.
So fuck you, you little pussy who told me to "Eat Shit, Faggot" today while running my errands. Most likely those real "faggots", because of your attitude and other bigots, will take the paths less traveled and find success where no one imagined.
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