General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Rape more Common than Smoking in the US [View all]Melinda
(5,465 posts)within me that could be described as 'rage'... however, the work I've done over the years has been oriented towards overcoming the anger long held. It was destructive and turned against myself. I was a cutter for a very long time... and I still pick my skin raw on occasion. Can't help it, just do.
The thing with Nashville is I think his thread presented a learning experience to examine him and his story more completely, the societal norms and mores of his youth, and the attitudes that contributed to his believing as he did then, and what he believes now. What brought him to change? I understand instant rage and the desire to remove the offending thing/object/person, but when we react so violently that we (time for over-the-top analogy) thirst for blood and demand that heads roll, we lose opportunity to learn, grow, and help prevent future violence upon other human beings.
I think there are a lot of fine young minds on DU these days... I read much potential here, but I fear that in haste to make a difference, opportunity becomes mistake, and we all lose.
One thing I keep in mind is that I have been here a very long time, and yet I have a low post count; I read, read, read. And I am most certainly part of a larger company of folks just like me. I've ofttimes left DU for long stretches because of the hateful attitudes expressed on a progressive website... others leave too. And we all lose out when we do.
You and I have more in common that you probably realize... links to my back story are on that thread, if you care to read. Just know that I know, and I care too. Millions and millions of us do.