Where Did All the Chicks Go?

[King4aDay]

I thought this to be a discussion of intelligence and depth. I hope that you
will not object to my horning in, as I so often do :-)

I'm glad that the figures and statistics have been presented. There is no
way to understand such issues without knowing the numbers, and therefore
the truer scope of the problems represented therein. The polls and
percentages serve as the foundation for meaningful debate. But, of course,
they are not everything. I state this only for the record, since you both
know it well, and perhaps even better than myself. So, I will speak, not
about the facts based on figures, or demographic calculations, but rather
upon the subject of stories and storytelling.

Why has the IR debate been so hard to kill anyway? I mean, even when it
is strongly discouraged, sooner or later it manages to somehow inject itself
into threads about cooking oil and car wax. Why is this divisive topic such a
relentless survivor? I believe that the answer is truly a simple one—it's is a
good story.

The IR debate is loaded with emotional overtones, with longing and
loneliness, with rage and injustice, with revenge or redemption, and of
course, SEX—An entire race of men, robbed of love, and the admiration of
their women, by an arrogant race of powerful oppressors. What will they do
to somehow win their women back? How will they revenge this unprovoked
injustice? And will they find a way to beat the system, to right the wrongs,
to finally achieve redemption and victory? It's a tragedy worthy of Shakespeare.

By now, you may suspect that I am poking fun, but please be certain that
that I am not. I believe that our stories define us and how we see the
world. As human beings it is our collective nature to piece together the
chaotic fragments of reality into meaningful and coherent narratives,
complete with villains, heroes, and impossible quests. And yet, I do not
mean that we simply invent our stories to suit the needs of our
imaginations (although this sometimes occurs). But rather, I mean that
stories that fit within these pre-set criteria will resonate within our
humanity and will compel us to debate or action.

In the shadow of such stories it is difficult to discuss Hepatitis B, or
advances in congressional representation. I mean, who wants to talk about
the glass ceiling when the Whiteboy-imposed ass ceiling has been lowered
upon Asian males? Everything else simply pales in comparison. It's like
asking a man for tax advice on the night that his wife has just run off
with the pool man.

So perhaps another perspective on why the IR story continues it's gruesome
resurrections, while so many other topics are delivered stillborn is because
we are fighting a story that has become so central, so emotional, and
finally so intensely personal, that it has become the Dominant Narrative
within the AA community, and there is simply little room left for anything
else to live and breathe.

[monkey king]

Originally Posted by King4aDay

...that it has become the Dominant Narrative
within the AA community, and there is simply little room left for anything
else to live and breathe.

Yeah, I think you're over-stating the facts. There wasn't even an IR debate here. There was only a question of whether they should be allowed.

[King4aDay]

Originally Posted by monkey king

Yeah, I think you're over-stating the facts. There wasn't even an IR debate here. There was only a question of whether they should be allowed.

Reach back baaaaaack into the archives, my friend.

[buttermilkwiseman]

Originally Posted by King4aDay

The IR debate is loaded with emotional overtones, with longing and
loneliness, with rage and injustice, with revenge or redemption, and of
course, SEX—An entire race of men, robbed of love, and the admiration of
their women, by an arrogant race of powerful oppressors. What will they do
to somehow win their women back? How will they revenge this unprovoked
injustice? And will they find a way to beat the system, to right the wrongs,
to finally achieve redemption and victory? It's a tragedy worthy of Shakespeare.

A little verbose but I like your choice of words, I'm pretty sure there are still plenty of asian women that prefer asian men (?), but the description hits home with the overall feeling as far as marginalized asian men are concerned.

It's like asking a man for tax advice on the night that his wife has just run off
with the pool man.

Although I find this is the best line in your post, the way I'd see it is somewhat similar.

There are stories of two best friends who break up their close friendship over a pretty girl, animals fight as tenaciously for mates, as much as food, and land which are basic fundamental needs.

[Ike]

D,
Your previous post is front-page material!

[BadArtist]

Originally Posted by King4aDay

So perhaps another perspective on why the IR story continues it's gruesome resurrections, while so many other topics are delivered stillborn is because we are fighting a story that has become so central, so emotional, and finally so intensely personal, that it has become the Dominant Narrative within the AA community, and there is simply little room left for anything else to live and breathe.

Interesting perspective, King4aDay. I think the reason is a lot simpler and straightforward: machismo. In a patriarchal society that equates sexual prowess to manliness and women as the way to keep track of the score, AA men are seen as less than the average man because they have less apparent "access" to women. If even AA women don't find us attractive, then our virility is called into question. It's just male pride.

[Ike]

Originally Posted by Dialectic

I conclude with a blunt and insensitive final statement, one which ultimately rests on a priority of values which you say you don't share, but probably do share. Given the information presented above, the problems we have left aren't worth our time to talk about (except for those who work in those fields and can make a living dealing with these issues, or those directly traumatized).

Guys, in case you didn't notice, on the last page Dialectic already said why your posts are unnecessary.

[BadArtist]

Originally Posted by Ike

Guys, in case you didn't notice, on the last page Dialectic already said why your posts are unnecessary.

Yeah, well, I'm gonna post anyway, cause I'm a loud Cantonese who don't give a shit.

[aznbro]

Originally Posted by BadArtist

Interesting perspective, King4aDay. I think the reason is a lot simpler and straightforward: machismo. In a patriarchal society that equates sexual prowess to manliness and women as the way to keep track of the score, AA men are seen as less than the average man because they have less apparent "access" to women. If even AA women don't find us attractive, then our virility is called into question. It's just male pride.

Are you implying that if the predictaments are reversed that AFs would not take a similar attitude?

[King4aDay]

Originally Posted by Ike

Guys, in case you didn't notice, on the last page Dialectic already said why your posts are unnecessary.

Yes, but I was commenting on why the subject will keep
crawling back from the grave, no matter what Dialectic says.