2006-10-14 00:41:02 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
bigot
noun
1. Someone who is persistently prejudiced, especially about religion or politics, and refuses to tolerate the opinions of others.
Thesaurus: chauvinist, redneck (US slang), dogmatist, partisan, fanatic, extremist; racist, sexist, hater; Antonym: humanitarian, liberal.
Derivative: bigoted
adj
Showing prejudice and intolerance
Thesaurus: biased, prejudiced, chauvinistic, dogmatic, intolerant, closed-minded, narrow-minded, opinionated, prejudiced, intolerant, illiberal; Antonym: enlightened, progressive, open-minded, tolerant.
Firstly, everyone has different opinions. There have always been people who do not have the capacity to tolerate different opinions.
It is important that people have the freedom of speech, even when that speech displays a person's incapacity for rational thought, humanity or tolerance of difference.
"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they never use." - Soren Aabye Kierkegaard
Sometimes people hate other people, out of fear and sometimes out of socialisation, or group mentality. Mostly, though, out of fear of difference.
Take human beings as being like a flock of sheep. Sheep feel comfortable when they are herded together, because in numbers they are less likely to be eaten. (By wild animals.. human beings are another topic altogether). But if, members of the flock start to break away, wander off on their own, something dreadful might happen to them.
Humans sometimes hate other humans, because they are different from them. For example, some humans hate other humans they know absolutely nothing about, and it may just be that they don't like that a person has a funny hat and that perhaps there wasn't a religious doctrine written on the wearing of funny hats, (or that they had never seen a person wearing a funny hat before) and so they think, oh I am afraid of this person in a funny hat so I am going to hate them.
All a person can do, is live their own life with as much integrity, compassion, and happiness as they can. By being an example of what a "good" human being is, hopefully (but then I am a pessimist) people who are afraid of difference will see the good in other people and this will make them less afraid?
2006-10-14 01:12:53 · answer #1 · answered by Orditz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem is your question is a contradiction. It is not possible to enlighten or educate an bigot cuz they are by definition not reasonable or open minded. Bigots do sometimes change however--I have seen it. And it usually occurs because they get to know someone and like or admire them despite their prejudice and bigotry. So I think the best you can do in this regard is just be a decent person and try to reach your full potential as a human being. It is possible that in the process some bigots might incidnetally be changed--but that is not the primary objective nor your primary reward.
2006-10-14 22:04:51 · answer #2 · answered by beckychr007 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is very little you can do with many of them. Their minds have been permanently scarred with what they have been taught mainly by religion.
To set a good example is simple. In a mixed social gathering, just be a good friendly person and don't allow your being gay appear to be the central thing in your life. Be interested in the lives of those around you and don't try to force your orientation on them. They don't discuss what they do in the bedroom and neither should you. But at the same time, don't be in a closet. Answer their questions civilly and honestly. If you have a partner, don't be afraid to refer to him or her,as such. They will appreciate your honesty. If they do unfortunately say something against you or gays generally, just politely say how sorry you are they feel that way and walk away. Getting into an ugly discussion trying to change their mind in front of others, does nothing but make everyone else in the room uncomfortable.
2006-10-14 03:16:07 · answer #3 · answered by roqofages 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well that is very copmplicated. some grew up with extremely little mind and wetre set only on hate. like fred phelps. some others can go to learning better. one that truly changed few lives was the movie Brokeback Mountain.
how do we enlighten those we can about homopsexuals in a good light? portraying who we are to the world regardless what anyone says through papers (stories) and let them read about it ovetr and over. let the kids see that in school just who we truly are.
2006-10-14 03:51:41 · answer #4 · answered by mystic_lonewolf22 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key words there are "set a good example." That is really the best thing you can do. Don't become confrentational. Don't try to change their minds. Just be a good person in a true and loving relationship. Show them stability and success in both who you are and how you present yourself.
2006-10-14 16:09:23 · answer #5 · answered by Rachell C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. If upon seeing things they didn't expect (like..not everyone has AIDS, or we're not all nelly stereotypes, or we're not all into kinky fetishes....etc etc) they accept the fact that they have misconceptions...I'm willing to work with people. If someone's willing to learn actual truth, I'm willing to teach them (and I try to share as many opinions as I can on any given subject; to try to represent the diversity of opinions withing the queer community). If people are going to the lengths to say that their experience is wrong so that their misconceptions can still be right, I give up. Avoid any unneccesary contact. If you have to work with someone on a professional level, try to get them to agree to just not talk about it. Otherwise, in my experience, people don't just come around.
2006-10-14 17:53:52 · answer #6 · answered by Atropis 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You tell them you love them regardless of their hate and ignore the rest.
Just like these two wackados above me.
They're nutty, but they're still human beings like us.
2006-10-14 00:48:23 · answer #7 · answered by DEATH 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was always told that the best revenge is success. Be as good as you can in all things, and how can they criticize? Surpass them!
2006-10-14 00:48:14 · answer #8 · answered by Alison D 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I just ignore them. If they don't love me for me - then they get no soup from Richard!
2006-10-14 01:12:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You don't. Just ignore them..... who cares what they think...unless they try to pull some of that lam-o "hate crime" crap, and try to hurt you, then i suggest lots and lots 'o violence.
:-)
2006-10-14 00:46:43 · answer #10 · answered by mutant_enemy_girl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋