Ok, that's it. I'm not putting up with it anymore. To anyone out there listening, if you send me a racist, homophobic, or intolerant forwarded email, I will respond to your entire list. Consider yourselves warned. Here are two of my victims so far:
This beaut was sent to me by a past student who I have repeatedly asked to take off his forward list:
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[image of a traditional Christmas tree here]
This is a Christmas tree.
It is not a Hanukkah bush,
it is not an Allah plant,
it is not a Holidayhedge
nor a Holiday Tree!
It is a Christmas tree.
Say it...CHRISTmas, CHRISTmas, CHRISTmas
Yes. CHRISTmas - celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ!!!
Take a stand and pass this on !!
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Here's my response:
Nothing like dampening the spirit of Christmas with racism and prejudice towards other religions. For some, it seems it's not enough to have our calendar structured around Christianity (it's the longest holiday break by over a week). Do we really want to be like some of those fundamentalist Islamic states with a state religion? How do we expect to create a unified nation when we expect everyone in this country to be Christian? Not to mention the historical innacuracies: a "Christmas" tree isn't even a Christian symbol. In fact evergreen decorations were actually prohibited by the 3rd century Christian church.
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The next one was sent to me by a good friend, a friend I respect but have no idea how he buys into this kind of rhetoric:
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Let's say I break into your House
A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!! It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV.
Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the U.S. might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family. My husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest (except for that breaking in part).
If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, except for, well, you know, the breaking in part.And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice, and being an anti-housebreaker.Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me.”
Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?! Only in America ....if you agree, pass it on (in English). Share it if you see the value of it as a good simile. If not blow it off along with your future Social Security funds.
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And my response:
That's one of the stupidest analogies concerning immigration I've heard in ahwile; worse yet than the "tidal wave of immigrants." It's racist and un-Christian. Lastly, it doesn't even work to prove its racist ideology: who wouldn't want someone to break into their home and do work? I'm all for it--my back door is open to anyone who wants to break in and do the less desirable jobs. I'm not saying illegal immigration isn't a problem; it certainly is but our concern about the issue should be much broader than our own pocketboooks (especially since it's highly doubtful that we lose any money when considering all the factors). What about the people who are exploited and even die trying to cross the border? These kinds of concerns should compel us instead of a few dollars. And then if we really want a solution we will have to look at the root cause: lack of good jobs and economic mobility in Mexico.
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Any forwarded email horror stories you'd like to share?
10 comments:
I think you are an idiot and I can prove it. The analogy about breaking into the house is not a stupid analogy. It is almost the perfect analogy for the situation. Read it again more slowly and try to absorb the meaning of the words. There are two kinds of people on this issue: the ones that hear that analogy and get it, and the idiots that do not. Also, how is the analogy racist. In the version I tell, the race or nationality of the offenders are intentionally left out because if someone breaks in to my house it does not matter to me what color, religion, or nationality they are. What matters is that they are CRIMINALS.
But wait, technically doesn't the house belong to the Native Americans?
So it only matters who the house belongs to if it belongs to us? Or wait, what if you own the house, then you go next door and pay a guy $20 for his son and then make the son do all your work for you, then like 50 years later, when you "free" the son, should he thank you because you're such a kind person? (oh, and a "patriot")
And, patriot rightly, I think when you say "idiots who do not" get the analogy, what you really mean is "people who disagree with me."
I apologize: I said idiot; I meant imbecile.
Whoa, a firestorm in the comment area.
Maybe the point, at least for me, is that there are more productive standpoints to take than the "they are criminals" standpoint--because, hey, it hardly matters, since enforcing a strict immigration code is, and will continue to be, nearly impossible. Counterintuitive is right--the conditions make the problem. The richest country in the world (that's us) can, if it (we) wants to, do a better job at improving those conditions for the people who just want a better life, for crying out loud, which is all any of of imbeciles/idiots--oh, wait, I mean "people"--want, anyway.
I can see how someone, like patriot rightly, feels threatened by illegal immigration. It's not that I don't have any empathy for someone growing in a city where there are lot of immigrants both legal and illegal--this can be disconcerting and alienating. I remember my own father's statements about "all the Mexicans at the bank." His little Utah town was being transformed and it was/is scary.
So, Mr. Patriot, my neighbor who originally sent the email, my dad and others, I don't mean to belittle your concerns. Legal and illegal immigration will create tensions and misunderstandings; it is an issue worthy of concern and discussion. But I just don't think the house analogy or the flood/water analogies will help us solve the problem or help us, ultimately, feel anymore secure.
People, families, children will continue to illegally come to this country if they perceive it is something which will benefit their lives and family. I can't imagine I wouldn't do the same if in their shoes. Our response to illegal immigration must take into consideration the larger economic and social forces here in the US and Mexico and these oversimplified analogies do not help us consider these bigger structural issues. My experience tells me that this kind of rhetoric will only increase discrimination and hate for those who are different than us which will only exacerbate the tensions and alienation on both sides.
Patriot, perhaps you should study up on logical fallacies before posting on the Internet.
First off, your original argument suffers from the Straw Man fallacy: e.g. If you are against immigration reform, you must support criminals breaking into your house. It's far from the "perfect" analogy. Illegal immigrants aren't breaking into homes and doing chores. I'm sorry, but the two positions are not comparable simply because breaking into homes and sneaking across the border are both crimes. When you set up a weak counterfeit position, refute the counterfeit position, and in conclusion claim that your original argument must then be valid, that is the Straw Man.
And yes, we read your words S L O W L Y and we "heard" them just fine, as if that would help an illogical argument suddenly valid. Do not mistake disagreement with not hearing or "understanding" the meaning of your words. I understood everything just fine. I am telling you that your arguments are flawed.
Secondly, ad hominem attacks do not constitute valid arguments. Saying "if you 'hear' the analogy (agree with me), then you are smart... if you disagree, you are an idiot" is classic ad hominem. Good job "proving" he is an idiot, though. Proof requires evidence, not irrelevant assertations.
Your entire method of debate is flawed and laughable. You are the poster-boy for weak reasoning.
illegal immigration debate aside, i think you rock for responding en masse to mass emailings. why didn't i think of that?
I am delighted that someone had the courage to do more than just hit the "delete" button when such inflammatory poop is tossed from the barn of bigoted e-mailers. Good for you Ron!
I think I shall begin to do the same. Unfortunately for me most such tripe comes directly from my parents or siblings. Only that I had your eloquence and tact. Guess I will just have to take the emotional heat that will, very likely, come as an empty retort to my rather scathing replies.
I hope your holidays are filled with joy and peace my decent fellow.
Travis- happyexmo
Well said dr. write and Rod.
Nice post, Ron.
First of all, what I don't understand is that supposedly educated, reasonable people (that's you dr. write, and perhaps others) resort to the name calling --- "idiot", and "imbecile" --- surely one who teaches creative writing and other English subjects at a college level can do better in a rebuttle than name calling. I assume others that run in your circles are comparable in relative intellect.
Second, as the friend and neighbor that sent the e-mail to you, I feel it my obligation to at least let your bloggers know that while a couple of you applaud dr.write's reply to my e-mail "en masse", I assure you that all six responses to the en masse response were negative towards dr. write -- namely, keep your replies restricted to the sender, and "what's this guy's problem?"
Third, while the analogy may or may not be perfect, the subject of illegal immigration is a problem, of that I hope we can all agree. We disagree about to what degree, and to the resolution, that's for sure. But let's break it down; illegal is my problem for me, not immigration. While some may not like the label criminal, and I may even agree that it is harsh does legal vs illegal matter to those who oppose my original e-mail? [if I exceed the speed limit, that is illegal, but I don't consider myself or others "criminals" for doing so. Maybe you do.]
Last, to all of you, I am not a racist. As I've already pointed out to dr. write in a private e-mail, I have a Mexican granddaughter; I love her more than life itself. As Mexican illegals are the assumed subject here, I thought this fact matters. I welcome all immigrants of all nationalities and races, provided they come here legally.
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