generaltojo
Aug 14th, 2004, 04:01 PM
For some of you here (especially the female 44), it might seem like all this ranting about CCB's and CCC's and any or all unholy combinations thereof, is about hating, enforcing discipline, and removing the right to choose.
That's not it at all.
44 is not about removing choice - we all have the right to make choices in this country. That's the beauty of living in a progressive, pluralistic society - we all have choice.
But I suggest that some of the choices we make are not informed. That's not condescension or anything like that - just a fact.
They might be because of damaging experience during the formative years. Or peer pressure (god, that sounds so "Just Say No," no?) Or media influence. Or over-compensation, rebellion. Or, even more simply, possibly because you're not all that smart.
These are not insults. They are merely observations. And all of them valid in many cases.
A big part of 44 is about making people aware of why and how things are, and how that affects your choice. 44 is about helping people make *informed* choices - choices they can be proud of, because it's based on all the information available in relation to your own personal context and experience.
Sure, there are people here who rant and vent (also a function of 44.) But there are valid reasons for doing so. Understanding these reasons are crucial to understanding the fundamental context on which Asians are perceived in this country, how we perceive ourselves... and that's all part of making an informed choice.
If after reading and posting on a variety of things on this site - features, threads, one-off posts - you are ultimately comfortable with your choice, with little or no nagging issues, then we've all done our job. And congratulations - you rock.
If not... then good luck. You're probably going to need it.
That's not it at all.
44 is not about removing choice - we all have the right to make choices in this country. That's the beauty of living in a progressive, pluralistic society - we all have choice.
But I suggest that some of the choices we make are not informed. That's not condescension or anything like that - just a fact.
They might be because of damaging experience during the formative years. Or peer pressure (god, that sounds so "Just Say No," no?) Or media influence. Or over-compensation, rebellion. Or, even more simply, possibly because you're not all that smart.
These are not insults. They are merely observations. And all of them valid in many cases.
A big part of 44 is about making people aware of why and how things are, and how that affects your choice. 44 is about helping people make *informed* choices - choices they can be proud of, because it's based on all the information available in relation to your own personal context and experience.
Sure, there are people here who rant and vent (also a function of 44.) But there are valid reasons for doing so. Understanding these reasons are crucial to understanding the fundamental context on which Asians are perceived in this country, how we perceive ourselves... and that's all part of making an informed choice.
If after reading and posting on a variety of things on this site - features, threads, one-off posts - you are ultimately comfortable with your choice, with little or no nagging issues, then we've all done our job. And congratulations - you rock.
If not... then good luck. You're probably going to need it.