The other day, a good friend of mine got in a heated and racially charged argument with his coworkers. In the shouting that ensued, my friend tried to reason with his coworkers. “Look,” he said, “We don’t all need to share the same viewpoint. We don’t even all need to be friends. But we do need to be able to do our jobs together. We’re coworkers.”
I share my friend’s viewpoint when it comes to mankind.
Being in New York City, I’m amazed by the diversity. Different people from different places with different perspectives and different cultures all living in one shared space. Naturally, some of those viewpoints are in conflict – and yes, I’m sure there is tension.
But at the end of the day, we don’t all need to be on the same page; we don’t all need to be friends. But we do need to live together. We need to coexist. And as such, I think it makes sense to have a healthy appreciate for opinions, ideas, cultures and beliefs that aren’t our own (with the exception of racism, sexism and all the other -isms that minimize others). In fact, the divergence of experiences that make up this city’s diversity may even be one of it’s greatest attributes. At the very least, it sure makes it interesting living here.
Speaking of cultures that are different from my own, Mitch and I spent the day winding through Chinatown’s back streets and alleyways. In one otherwise mundane store, we discovered a collection of carved erect penises. As far as I’m concerned, that’s as good a place as any to start my appreciation.
June 9, 2010 at 2:32 pm
lol :]
June 9, 2010 at 3:02 pm
The inherent paradox of suggesting people should allow different viewpoints to “coexist” or suggesting that all beliefs are o.k. and valid for people to have is that eventually there will be beliefs that directly oppose *that* idea. There are some belief systems and viewpoints that specifically say one should convert others to yours, or that people who don’t see the world/believe like you are bad. . .
I agree that what you say is best, but it means that there is at least one category of viewpoints and beliefs that are not “o.k.” or valid for others to have. Anything that says we can’t all share different views is not a viewpoint or belief that is compatible with this one.
June 9, 2010 at 3:30 pm
I’d totally buy one of those penises, but I’m totally at a loss as to what I would do with it. Ring toss???
June 9, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I have never checked the validity of the claim, but the borough of Queens is supposedly the most racially and culturally diverse bit of land on the planet with more languages spoken than there are countries on the planet.(I guess due to differences of dialect) This city is amazing.
I think the carvings are meant to ensure virility, that or some sort of wicked sex toy…
June 9, 2010 at 9:41 pm
AMAZING point.
June 9, 2010 at 10:01 pm
In Iran (and other places, I’m sure), they hang gay teenagers for being gay.
http://direland.typepad.com/direland/2005/10/shocking_new_ph.html
I don’t need to live with those people, or even co-exist with them. I need to see them disappear. Sometimes, Davey, you just have your head up your ass.
I do appreciate your positive attitude toward life, and that’s why I visit your blog, but sometimes I think you need to look outside your small gay world and see what’s going on on the rest of the planet. Otherwise you become irrelevant.
June 9, 2010 at 11:23 pm
is it just me, or is it odd that they’re all curved?… makes me wonder about who created them.. hehe
June 10, 2010 at 12:09 am
Oh Davey, i always read your blogs and the morning and they always make my day! <3
June 10, 2010 at 12:45 am
Repeat this back and listen to yourself:
“I don’t need to live with those people, or even co-exist with them. I need to see them disappear.”
What do you think the Iranian authorities and clerics are saying about the gays? What do you think the Nazis said about the Jews? If you can’t coexist with someone who believes differently from you how are you any different from these people?
If you want people to accept your views and beliefs I feel it’s critical to set the example and respect theirs, whether or not you agree with them. I think it’s a crime against humanity to kill someone for choosing to be whatever they will be but if our reaction to that is crushing their system and replacing it with our own we are no better than they are.
It’s difficult to try and accept things with which we don’t agree. We’re human and of course we want to have things our way and we want to punish people for their misdeed. But we’ve proven time and time again that destroying those people or the systems we don’t agree with only makes us the oppressors. If we really want to make a difference we have to accept what’s so, try to understand where the people are coming from who are doing it and live as an example that things can be done better. When people see how well the better way works and that you’re not forcing it upon them they’ll come around.
June 10, 2010 at 12:51 am
I’d challenge you to broaden your philosophy here to accept racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. If you can’t accept these as valid points of view you can’t lovingly coexist with the people who hold them. The more you resist these things and the people who espouse them the more they will thrive. Your resistance gives them their energy. You may not want to be this accepting but in the end it is far more workable and you’ll be standing for unity rather than against hatred.
June 10, 2010 at 1:04 am
the random water bottle sittin’ there with all the penises makes me laugh!
June 10, 2010 at 2:32 am
everyone need to give others a chance to give their ideas if we have to live together
its not necessary that only one person should do everything ……….. there must be a unity in everything 
June 10, 2010 at 4:46 am
Heyy I want to buy it, yes this one, on the right, yes the water bottle! =]
June 10, 2010 at 4:47 am
Oops.
More seriously, I think those represent fertility.
June 10, 2010 at 5:15 am
I find the green ones slightly disturbing. It’s like seeing the Incredible Hulk when he’s aroused.
June 10, 2010 at 7:14 am
Amen.
June 10, 2010 at 8:03 am
I say Live and let live!
If you have a big argument you cants handle go away, if the argument is democratic. That is the first issue, democratic. If not democratic RIP.
Hugs to Dave and all.
June 10, 2010 at 8:56 am
Mosaic Dave,
I agree with your points to a certain degree. But sometimes nothing settles things better than a good ass kicking. We also must recognize some people are just evil, for instance the Nazi’s and they should be removed from the face of the earth, even if by war. I don’t think anyone would say a Nazi had valid points of views, unless of course a Nazi. Those evil men murdered and were responsible for the deaths of millions and millions of people. No point of view can justify this. In the above statement you said “I think it’s a crime against humanity to kill someone for choosing to be whatever they will be but if our reaction to that is crushing their system and replacing it with our own we are no better than they are” I have to disagree to a certain degree. Some systems are better than others.I don’t think the pacifist approach is always correct, some wars are justified. The person who spoke above you said he doesn’t have to live with such persons as the Iranians, who murder children cause they are gay. I agree with this also, I do not have to accept such behavior and I can openly speak of against such evils. We can debate if homosexuality is morally good or evil, what can not be debated is the murdering of children. So yes I do agree with him I don’t want to co-exist with these evil persons. To murder a child can never be justified. I think you both are right at the same time you both are wrong. Grazie, DM
June 10, 2010 at 9:21 am
Have you ever seen two c***s that looked alike? Variety in so many ways; color, texture, hooded or not, veins, how many?, size and thickness. Size of the glans relative to the shaft. Grower? Shower? How hard, how fast? I think the c***s represent the diversity and wonder of our individual selves.
June 10, 2010 at 10:24 am
It’s a bumper sticker. Would love to find one for my pollution machine.
June 10, 2010 at 10:26 am
That would be Montreal. Stand on any street corner and watch the United Nations go by.
June 10, 2010 at 10:36 am
Ditto
June 10, 2010 at 10:44 am
How true.
Of course the sculpted penis is a representation of fertility, hence prosperity and good fortune. Some are gigantic, as in India’s Shivalingum (litreally, God’s c**k). And the endless variety coexist on the same planet. How amazing.
Be well,
June 10, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Murderers, rapists, child molesters. Right, got to keep them around so we can experience their point of view. Geez, man you’ve got to have some values. I should respect the views of murderers, rapists and child molesters? If someone can’t tell good from evil, well then I just feel sorry for them. And if they can’t stand up to evil when they see it, they’re just cowards.
June 10, 2010 at 3:37 pm
“And as such, I think it makes sense to have a healthy appreciate for opinions, ideas, cultures and beliefs that aren’t our own (with the exception of racism, sexism and all the other -isms that minimize others).”
Davey addressed that point. Opinions and ideas that aim to bring others down (“minimize others”) are exempt to this philosophy.
June 10, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Just use it, dude.
June 10, 2010 at 5:02 pm
when employed,my feeling has always been: we arent being paid to like one another.we’re being paid to work together and get the job done.believe me,some of the folks i worked with; i wouldnt have spoken to them had we met at a party.they just werent my cup of tea.but because i didnt do the hiring,we were stuck as co-workers.so we sucked it up,kept our opinions to ourselves and maintained peace.
June 10, 2010 at 7:06 pm
I live by this philosophy, I even have the COEXIST signs tattooed on my right forearm so I remember that before I do anything I am coexisting with others and their beliefs.
June 10, 2010 at 8:14 pm
water and penises. hahaha i like this. xD id love to go to this store. but only if you came with me. haha
June 11, 2010 at 1:54 am
These people became this way as a result and culmination of their experiences on the earth. We all have it within us to be just like those people given the right circumstances. We are all the same, like it or not. We all possess the same stuff and are made of the same stuff. It’s not that these can’t tell good from evil. Their definitions of the terms don’t match ours. It’s little different than saying an alcoholic should know when to stop or that a gay person should be able to be straight. Some people have their wires connected to different stimulus receptors. I understand that some of these behaviours are harmful while others aren’t. We have laws to deal with behaviours that are harmful. But hatred towards these people isn’t helpful in the least. Without some compassion we will never understand why people act as they do and believe as they do. We all have he capacity within us to do these terrible things given the right circumstances. I’d say it behooves us to try to understand them and address the people who give into them with compassion and with hope. But as Jung pointed out when we see things in others that we hate about ourselves we seek to destroy them because it would be foolish to destroy ourselves.
June 11, 2010 at 2:02 am
Davide,
Thanks for your thoughts. I do appreciate reading the things you write as I tend to lean towards the conservative/libertarian side of the spectrum. But I disagree with your approach because it’s the same approach people have been taking for eons: I don’t like the way you do things, I have enough support to take you down, therefore I will. The terms good and evil have shifted in their meanings depending on who wins wars and conflicts. Consequently we’ve always had this notion that there are evil people out there. Whoever doesn’t think as we do are evil in the eyes of most people. I don’t go for it. I think if we want peace and understanding it requires a new approach – allowing people to believe as they will even if it conflicts with our values. I believe we’ll get a lot further trying to understand why people act as they do and living as examples of how our own values might work better than theirs. The preferable option will always prevail and the victor will not look like a conquering bastard (as the USA so often does in its own conflicts).
June 11, 2010 at 3:36 am
[IMG]http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy175/austin_l91/CIMG07161.jpg[/IMG]
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy175/austin_l91/CIMG07161.jpg
I got this in September.
June 11, 2010 at 6:30 am
Dave-yes I understand your point I really do, but my friend there are people or men who are evil. Simple-blunt-horrific evil. Now in regards to America-as a man who has only been a citizen of this great nation a few years-and a man who is also a citizen of another country-I look at america as a very good nation-hard to imagine the world without america. Of course america also has its problem. As regards to american wars well yes if we are to go to war we must conquer. My grandfather would say “war is not nice, why fight nice?” saying this Ameica is not a nation who goes out and conquer other nations. It would be fair to say many nations had the military might of america the world would be a different place. Couldn’t you imagine a world where Iran or North Korea had the strength of America. Canada has always been America’s greatest friend. It is the thing to do is bash America. But most the people of the world owe their freedoms and way of live to the United States. That is simple truth. America might look like a conquering bastard in its own conflicts. But I say this is as it should be. If we fight we must fight to win. If someone tries to harm me I will defend myself at all cost. If someone tries to steal or rob me I will defend what is mine. If someone broke into my house I would kill the bastard. After all he is in there to harm me-he asked for what ever he gets. but yes I understand your points, but I think you are wrong on two points 1. there are evil men 2. america should conquer if it is at war. Thanks
June 11, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Could you give us the address of the store where these phalli (is that the plural of phallus?) are sold?
June 11, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Actually, fundamentally I agree with you, on a personal level. However, letting psychopaths run free is not a healthy option. And public policy (hanging teenagers for being gay) is not the same as personal idiosyncrasies. Someone below (I believe Davide) mentioned Hilter. He, and the mostly innocent German people he infected with his psychopathy, needed to be stopped. There is no question about that. Personal evil I can understand and tolerate to an extent. Institutional evil, whether by government or religion, should be stopped, by force if necessary.
Do you really think you have the “capacity within [you]” to murder, rape, molest infants or hang teenagers for being gay? Because the voices in your head told you to? To save your own sorry ass, perhaps? Or just for shits and giggles? I’d rather be dead.
June 12, 2010 at 12:31 am
“Consequently we’ve always had this notion that there are evil people out there. Whoever doesn’t think as we do are evil in the eyes of most people. I don’t go for it. . . . The terms good and evil have shifted in their meanings depending on who wins wars and conflicts.”
Mosaic Dave, there ARE evil people out there. Rational, sane people recognize the difference between evil deeds and differences of opinion. Believing people deserve to die because they are gay is an opinion, killing them because they are gay is an evil deed. That is a line that sane, rational people do not cross.
Yes, wars make people insane and they do evil things. However, history is the ultimate judge and when people return to sanity they recognize the evil they have done. No sane, rational person today believes that the Native Americans or European Jews got what they deserved.
I also took est and learned about “what you resist persists” and “what’s so is so what.” But you know what, what you don’t resist persists too, and what’s so is not necessarily what’s right. You need to take a stand. And YOU don’t. You have no fight in you. And when they come looking for you, there will be no one left to stand up for you, because you have stood up for no one else.
Thanks to you for helping me clarify these thoughts for myself. And thanks to Davey Wavey for the soapbox.
June 12, 2010 at 1:50 am
haha this looks like Pompeii lol. They have crazy stone penises everywhere.
June 12, 2010 at 2:02 am
Hey Davey,
In living life on the topic of racism I’ve come to the conclusion that racism for the most part in people I’ve seen of all different cultures is actually crossed wires in the act of a parent or grandparent teaching the importance of pride, acknowledgement and respect for our ancestries the misconception often seems to be made that to be proud of who we are and where we come from is to appear outwardly racist or inwardly racist. This is just simply not the case to be proud of where you come from and who you are in truth is to actually promote others to do so as well regardless of who they are and where they come from or how different they are, I guess to promote ourselves making apparent that we expect and encourage the same from them.
Kenneth R. Livingston
I actually made this point with my buddy the other day that we so often especially in Canada see the act of not being racist as Europeans in Canada is to bash our own culture. Like your post about the lady and her dog, if we promote the condemnation of our own unique culture to not appear racist does nothing but promote for people of other cultures to come to the conclusion that to be proud is to blame their culture for it’s past and in actuality destroy cultural pride hence the cycle continues….
June 23, 2010 at 7:30 am
heheheheh!!!!!!