Apr. 17th, 2007

johnpalmer: (Default)
One of the things I read during the Imus situation was that the NBC director was suprised to hear the strength of feelings some of the black folks in the office had.

And it made me ponder something. Is it even acceptable to call out emotional issues anymore?

I don't just mean racism or sexism or other issues. Is it ever generally accepted to be able to say "the way you treated me was hurtful to me?"

My feeling has always been "no", and the few times I remember seeing or hearing of that kind of thing, it's seemed like it was revolving around abuse... one person demanding that his or her feelings mattered more than other folks, for example.

I'm not asking if it's unacceptable to bring up someone else's emotional pains; in fact, I think that's the very point, is that before anyone will listen, folks need a defender. A person can't say "that was hurtful to me", but instead have to say "what you said was insulting to (person or people)!"

There's no over-riding point to this. I'm just curious if anyone out there can say "Oh, sure, in X circumstance, it's perfectly fine to say 'what you did/said hurt my feelings'", even if it's not with a close friend, lover, or family member.

It was strange that there would be such surprise by the director, both that his co-workers didn't bring it up before, and that he never even thought to ask.
johnpalmer: (Default)
One of the things I read during the Imus situation was that the NBC director was suprised to hear the strength of feelings some of the black folks in the office had.

And it made me ponder something. Is it even acceptable to call out emotional issues anymore?

I don't just mean racism or sexism or other issues. Is it ever generally accepted to be able to say "the way you treated me was hurtful to me?"

My feeling has always been "no", and the few times I remember seeing or hearing of that kind of thing, it's seemed like it was revolving around abuse... one person demanding that his or her feelings mattered more than other folks, for example.

I'm not asking if it's unacceptable to bring up someone else's emotional pains; in fact, I think that's the very point, is that before anyone will listen, folks need a defender. A person can't say "that was hurtful to me", but instead have to say "what you said was insulting to (person or people)!"

There's no over-riding point to this. I'm just curious if anyone out there can say "Oh, sure, in X circumstance, it's perfectly fine to say 'what you did/said hurt my feelings'", even if it's not with a close friend, lover, or family member.

It was strange that there would be such surprise by the director, both that his co-workers didn't bring it up before, and that he never even thought to ask.

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