Standing Above Reproach, II
by Brian | February 14th, 2008 |
Two days ago, I addressed the incidents surrounding Ken Hutcherson’s appearance at a Mt. Si High School assembly for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. While respecting, and even supporting, the need for teachers and students to address the anti-gay rhetoric put forth but Pastor Hutcherson, I wondered if there were more productive ways of confronting this injustice than booing. A thought echoed elsewhere in the blogosphere.
NG advises us that Hutcherson is lobbying to have the two teachers 
involved fired. I didn’t read that in any of the reports about the proceedings at Mt. Si High, nor could I find it in Hutcherson’s original address of the situation. It seems in the past few days, he has shifted from “praying for wisdom” to calling for the teachers to be fired. And so I pose the same question from my original post: Are these actions honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
I’m also going to echo my call that we voice our support for the intentions of those involved and remind Mt. Si High School that anti-gay rhetoric should not be given a platform in a public school. I think this is also an appropriate place to open up discussion about effective ways to address anti-gay rhetoric in public. How might we stand up in the future? Please share your thoughts with us. Junior Alex Olson said “I felt like a person again,” when a teacher asked Hutcherson how he could claim to support civil rights while advocating against the rights of gay and transgender people. This is necessary.
I hope that since Ken Hutcherson is asking for these teachers to be fired, his friends, family, and supporters will urge him to reconsider. Randy Thomas asked if “booing” is an appropriate way to address our concerns, I now ask if retaliation is an appropriate way to address Hutcherson’s.
Again, somehow we’ve gotten horribly sidetracked.
2 Responses to “Standing Above Reproach, II”
But Brian, didn’t you know? That isn’t how the game works. The religious right can say whatever they want, whenever they want. They’re speaking for God, remember? It just gets a little complicated when others decide they can speak out and have their voices heard, too.
In all seriousness, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rev. Hutcherson would have called for these teachers’ firing if they had stood up and asked challenging questions and not booed. You know as well as I how defensive folks like Hutcherson get when confronted on their obvious wrongs.
By Matt on Feb 15, 2008
Well I guess it’s good that I don’t play games then;)
I have seen defensiveness and I’ve also witnessed unexpected moments of clarity. I recently heard again the (Mother Teresa?) adage, which in part goes:
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
In my own experience, I’ve found that is helpful advice not only from a spiritual perspective but from a practical perspective.
By Brian on Feb 15, 2008