Wearing a Kilt in New Mexico

[Zardoz]

Funny, I live in the backcountry and I find that the people here are pretty tolerant of others. I guess "rednecks" kind of like the whole "to each his own" thing around here.

I always say most small town folks are generally more accepting of whatever 'differences' folks may have than a lot of "city folks" are.

Or they are at least polite enough to keep their mouth shut!

[Tobus]

I just reread the original post... Is this what has everyone up in arms? Really? Indicating that there are republicans, Tea Party activists and rednecks all in the same place? That's offensive? Forgive me... but I don't see it!

Not to beat the proverbial dead horse, but the way I read his original post, he was saying that Republicans and Tea Party activists are rednecks, and are therefore, by default, bigots who are unfriendly to kilt-wearing.

I wasn't offended per se (especially since I'm neither a Republican nor a Tea Party activist; I'm a libertarian), but I do think the statement was hypocritical on his part, since he was complaining about stereotypes while freely stereotyping others.

[Riverkilt]

Back to the original post - the idea that wearing a kilt in New Mexico is not for the faint of heart could just as easily come from the "discussion" of the two "official" New Mexico tartans on this board. You don't have discussions like that if folks aren't wearing kilts in New Mexico. You don't have two "official" New Mexico tartans if folks aren't wearing kilts in New Mexico.

And....how did the "fruit" comment slip by? We have many distinguished gay men who wear kilts on this board....some, I'd guess, from New Mexico.

[Nighthawk]

Back to the original post - the idea that wearing a kilt in New Mexico is not for the faint of heart could just as easily come from the "discussion" of the two "official" New Mexico tartans on this board. You don't have discussions like that if folks aren't wearing kilts in New Mexico. You don't have two "official" New Mexico tartans if folks aren't wearing kilts in New Mexico.

And....how did the "fruit" comment slip by? We have many distinguished gay men who wear kilts on this board....some, I'd guess, from New Mexico.

The fruit comment seemed to me to be referring to the attitude that a lot of people have towards gay men. There has been a rash of gay bullying in Denver. I guarantee the "men" doing the bullying thought "Hey! It's some defenseless fruit! Let's go man him up!" (I kinda hope one of these people sees me and thinks that... That would be fun! How would they explain to their buddies that that fruit in the skirt kicked the crap out of them? And no, I'm not advocating violence, but there are people who don't understand reason, and they would not be picking on those they percieve as weaker than them if they could be reasoned with.)

Not to beat the proverbial dead horse, but the way I read his original post, he was saying that Republicans and Tea Party activists are rednecks, and are therefore, by default, bigots who are unfriendly to kilt-wearing.

I wasn't offended per se (especially since I'm neither a Republican nor a Tea Party activist; I'm a libertarian), but I do think the statement was hypocritical on his part, since he was complaining about stereotypes while freely stereotyping others.

Well, let's face it! Stereotypes are in large part the fault of the stereotyped. I have run across a lot of prejudice, and the reality is that people on the liberal side in my experience tend to have a lot less prejudice. My best friends very Republican father is firmly convinced that I'm a "fag" because my parents sent me to an all boys private high school! And then when I started wearing a kilt full time, it just got worse! The vast majority of people in my day to day life who have had an issue with it have been staunch Republicans. Stereotypes do exist for a reason, weather we like it or not.

So getting back onto the original post- when I went to Chama to visit last, it was with my whole family- my parents, my own family, and my brother's family. The only person who had an issue with me was (and those of you who know me will have guessed it already!) my sister in law! We got together with my godmother, who happens to be a retired teacher. She thought it was absolutely awesome that I had started wearing a kilt. I mentioned that my brother looked great in his at my wedding, and immediately, before I had even finished, my sister in law chimed in with "My husband doesn't wear one of those things!" My godmother was very put off by her arrogant attitude and made it very clear. Other than her, I got nothing but positive comments. I think it may have something to do with the fact that Chama is a tourist economy, anyway, so they may be more accustomed to seeing people from other cultures. And really, that what it comes down to- a lack of understanding a lack of experience with the rest of the world. I do love visiting Chama.

[Riverkilt]

Speaking to the Four Corners area, a 16 year old gay was killed in Cortez, Colorado ten years ago - for being gay. Cortez is just up the road from Farmington, NM.

[macwilkin]

I always say most small town folks are generally more accepting of whatever 'differences' folks may have than a lot of "city folks" are.

Or they are at least polite enough to keep their mouth shut!

Same here. It's funny how the "tolerant" can be the most "intolerant" sometimes.

T.

[Lyle1]

I always say most small town folks are generally more accepting of whatever 'differences' folks may have than a lot of "city folks" are.

Or they are at least polite enough to keep their mouth shut!

Having lived in large cities, large metropolitan suburbs, and small towns, about the only generalization I am comfortable making is that there is usually less traffic in small towns.

[Woodsheal]

I just reread the original post... Is this what has everyone up in arms? Really? Indicating that there are republicans, Tea Party activists and rednecks all in the same place? That's offensive? Forgive me... but I don't see it!

No, the indication that all three are in one place is NOT offensive. The implication (often in evidence on this forum) that "conservative = ignorant/suspicious/intolerant" IS indeed offensive. A blanket stereotype such as "liberals are arrogant and condescending" should be equally offensive.

If it's "thin skinned" to not tolerate insults, direct or implied, then feel free to call me thin skinned....

[Tobus]

The vast majority of people in my day to day life who have had an issue with it have been staunch Republicans. Stereotypes do exist for a reason, weather we like it or not.

With all respect, just because your personal experience bears out a stereotype doesn't mean the stereotype is universally valid.

After all, if "stereotypes do exist for a reason", then aren't you by default validating the stereotype that men who wear kilts are "fruits" or that there is a kernel of truth behind the stereotype? That is, of course, absurd, and it exemplifies the absurdity of stereotypes.

People are individuals. They're all different. They all think differently, act differently, and have different basis in character, even though they may hold similar political views or religious views. Stereotyping individuals serves no positive purpose outside of primitive tribal societies where survival is dependent upon it.

[Chas]

Well, that's another one successfully driven off! We taught him a lesson, didn't we. He won't be back! And if he does come back, well, we'll just have to teach him again, won't we.


There are times, I am so proud to be a member of X Marks.


Unfortunately, this is not one of them.