Why I Am Not Wearing Green
Mar. 17th, 2010 11:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
deborahjrossThe reasons, let me count them for you.
Mostly, because the ostensible reason is to show one's pride in being Irish on the occasion of the name-day of the patron saint of Ireland. I am not Irish. There is almost zero probability that this nice Jewish girl has any Irish ancestry whatsoever. There are many aspects of Irish culture I appreciate and I have great sympathy and solidarity with the historical struggles of the Irish. I honor them best by practicing my own integrity.
I am not Christian. Jews disagree on whether it is appropriate to participate in cultural holidays derived from Christian observances. I feel strongly that it is a matter of personal conscience. I resent being pressured to do so, under threat of being pinched.
Here's the big one. Regardless of the verneer of "fun," this is assault. Think I'm being too grim about it? Talk to any survivor of violence. It's not fun, it's recreating trauma. I don't invade other people's physical integrity this way and if you do it to me, I may well introduce you to a few of my favorite kung fu techniques.
So let's be kind to one another and enjoy this beautiful spring day!
Mostly, because the ostensible reason is to show one's pride in being Irish on the occasion of the name-day of the patron saint of Ireland. I am not Irish. There is almost zero probability that this nice Jewish girl has any Irish ancestry whatsoever. There are many aspects of Irish culture I appreciate and I have great sympathy and solidarity with the historical struggles of the Irish. I honor them best by practicing my own integrity.
I am not Christian. Jews disagree on whether it is appropriate to participate in cultural holidays derived from Christian observances. I feel strongly that it is a matter of personal conscience. I resent being pressured to do so, under threat of being pinched.
Here's the big one. Regardless of the verneer of "fun," this is assault. Think I'm being too grim about it? Talk to any survivor of violence. It's not fun, it's recreating trauma. I don't invade other people's physical integrity this way and if you do it to me, I may well introduce you to a few of my favorite kung fu techniques.
So let's be kind to one another and enjoy this beautiful spring day!
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no subject
Date: 2010-03-17 10:10 pm (UTC)It is, however, true that no one has tried to pinch me for a long time. Without invitation, that is.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-18 12:17 am (UTC)I think of the over-emphasis on the day as a K-12 thing. No one's tried to pinch me since those days, and I haven't seen anything especially green today on campus. And only one person has mentioned it today, and his social stuff is off anyway because he's autistic.