Rainbow Street

I knew it was risky asking an honest question in this crowd, where someone was gonna equate a question to white supremacy & slave ownership. Such is the climate in our fair town. Bigots of all colors and ... wait for it ... stripes.

Well the sarcasm of your question (since it was a happy feel good thread) begged for a response. 

NO ONE was claiming that the painting was there to solve anything -it’s was a positive feel good community gesture.

No need to attack...

vdfam said:
I knew it was risky asking an honest question in this crowd, where someone was gonna equate a question to white supremacy & slave ownership. Such is the climate in our fair town. Bigots of all colors and ... wait for it ... stripes.

Please. That was not an "honest question." It was a snide observation in the form of a question. 

It's your prerogative of course. But don't act surprised when people call you out.  

I'll try again, Thought Police:

What is the tangible benefit of a (yes, feel good) symbolic action such as this?

How are feel-good symbolic efforts helpful?

Scully said:

Well the sarcasm of your question (since it was a happy feel good thread) begged for a response. 


NO ONE was claiming that the painting was there to solve anything -it’s was a positive feel good community gesture.


No need to attack...

 Yes ... No need to attack by calling me (by implication at least) a white supremacist. You took my post the way you wanted to take it ... looking for offense and a fight. This happens too often in this town.

vdfam said:
I'll try again, Thought Police:

What is the tangible benefit of a (yes, feel good) symbolic action such as this?
How are feel-good symbolic efforts helpful?

I'd have more respect for your position here if you stood behind the obnoxiousness of your gratuitous slam instead of trying to disingenuously pass it off as an "honest question."

But here goes -- it is a message that the norm in our town is an openness to all people.  We have historically been a place where LGBTQ people can live openly and be accepted for who they are.  It's not just "feel good."  It's a message of welcome.

Of course not everyone feels that way, but it's a message about what our community norms are.

vdfam said:
I'll try again, Thought Police:

What is the tangible benefit of a (yes, feel good) symbolic action such as this?
How are feel-good symbolic efforts helpful?

 Since it’s a government-supported permanent installation, attended by a former governor and other elected officials, it’s more than just symbolic. 

It’s tangible evidence of ongoing support for civil rights. 

Personally, having first marched in DC almost 40 years ago for gay rights, and more recently, it’s more than just “nice” to feel the support of govt. and it encourages me and others to do even more. 

That’s a very tangible effect. 

other tangible benefits:

• it looks really cool
• it is highly visible to oncoming drivers, so it contributes to pedestrian safety

metaphysician said:

vdfam said:
I'll try again, Thought Police:

What is the tangible benefit of a (yes, feel good) symbolic action such as this?
How are feel-good symbolic efforts helpful?

 Since it’s a government-supported permanent installation, attended by a former governor and other elected officials, it’s more than just symbolic. 
It’s tangible evidence of ongoing support for civil rights. 


Personally, having first marched in DC almost 40 years ago for gay rights, and more recently, it’s more than just “nice” to feel the support of govt. and it encourages me and others to do even more. 


That’s a very tangible effect. 

 Thank you! This makes sense to me.

Really cool-looking and a hell of a lot cheaper than Tau.   

When I first heard about the stripes and then saw them, I thought it was cool like crazy. I have enjoyed the delighted response on social media, which include not only celebration but some beautiful & clever photo sessions.

My thoughts then proceed to wondering about the tangible benefits of symbolism. How far does symbolism take us, as opposed to legislative protections or something ... I don't know ... more?

The whole thing calls to mind an nj.com article from Nov., 2016, that heralds Maplewood as LGBT friendly, but notes we don't make a list of friendly towns in NJ because to make the list, there were tangible programs & policies in place.

My original question asks of rainbow crosswalks in every town are enough. I thought it was pretty straightforward & real - Not a slam ... not snide. To say otherwise is flat wrong. I added the parenthetical request to further ask for what I wanted. Is symbolism enough? How is symbolism helpful?

And that sounds downright friendly - based on your latest post we see Eye to Eye...

ml1 said:

vdfam said:
I'll try again, Thought Police:

What is the tangible benefit of a (yes, feel good) symbolic action such as this?
How are feel-good symbolic efforts helpful?

I'd have more respect for your position here if you stood behind the obnoxiousness of your gratuitous slam instead of trying to disingenuously pass it off as an "honest question."
But here goes -- it is a message that the norm in our town is an openness to all people.  We have historically been a place where LGBTQ people can live openly and be accepted for who they are.  It's not just "feel good."  It's a message of welcome.
Of course not everyone feels that way, but it's a message about what our community norms are.

Great message.  Now, we need to include the skin heads (as described by our Board of Education member), NRA members, Trump supporters and others.  

@yahooyahoo - org flag was designed by Gilbert Baker - had a pink stripe