A type of ape known for its highly expressive and promiscuous sexuality, about as closely related as the chimp to humans, leading various polysupremacist types to adopt it as their totem and go on and on about how much better the world would be if we all emulated them.
Me, I'm in xiphias's camp, I quote: "Fine. So chimpanzees organize their society around violence, and bonobos organize around sex. If you don't shut up about the damned bonobos, you'll see how chimpanzee I can get on your ass."
I don't see the similarity, to tell you the truth. Who is my t-shirt meant to offend? George Bush, the leader of the free (and rapidly becoming less free) world? Do you think that's really on par with making people feel bad for not being poly?
I don't think the shirt is *meant* to offend anyone. It is meant to express an opinion. There are always people who disagree with any particular opinion, and many of them will be offended, rightfully or not, by the statement of that opinion. While I am not offended by the shirt, I can conceive that some people might be. They might be* Republican, monogamous, non-swinging poly, or simply sexually repressed. Worn by a woman, the shirt might offend a homophobe. Worn in a public place with children around, the shirt might offend a parent. Does that mean you shouldn't wear it? No. Does it mean it's funny. Sure. As long as you're not the one who happens to be offended by it.
I think it's exactly like the mugs.
*I in no way intend to imply that all people fitting these descriptions would be offended by the shirt in question, nor that anyone who is offended by the shirt necessarily fits any of these descriptions.
I don't have a problem with doing something that might, by its existence, offend someone. For instance, just my being queer might offend someone, but I don't think my being queer is an act of insulting them, nor do I think they are justified in being insulted if my mere existence offends their sensibilities. I have a problem with insulting people in public just because they're not like me (not, to clarify, insulting things people do that I think are wrong/bad -- that's not the same, to me). I see a big big difference.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2006-03-22 05:43 am (UTC)Because I've never seen any of you wear/say/write something that amused you but some might find offensive, ya know.
"George - the only bush I wouldn't go down on."
Never. ;)
Love y'all. :)
no subject
Date: 2006-03-22 05:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-22 08:14 am (UTC)Me, I'm in
no subject
Date: 2006-03-22 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-22 03:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-23 05:35 am (UTC)I think it's exactly like the mugs.
*I in no way intend to imply that all people fitting these descriptions would be offended by the shirt in question, nor that anyone who is offended by the shirt necessarily fits any of these descriptions.
no subject
Date: 2006-03-23 05:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-23 07:02 am (UTC)Yum! Tomahto sandwiches! ;)