Rants, or possibly a movement towards acceptance? Probably just the First :P

[Mathais]

Okay, in class today we were discussing the effects of tattoos on society, and me being an aficionado of tattoos was quite into this discussion. All of a sudden a girl brings up the fact that more and more ppl are doing body modifications to appear like the animals they feel like they are and that its a waste of body mind and soul. So it went on like that for about 5 minutes tehn the subject went from that to Furries. Now at this point i became a little skiddish, and this feeling was not ill set, as it came to a full-on Fur-bash! I was trapped as I have only come out to my immediate friends so it was extremely difficult to defend my own way of living not to mention the way of all of my new friends among you, the forum, but at last minute I did burst out and said that they have no right to judge the ways and passions of others! So I have a couple of questions that may help someone else that may get stuck in a situation such as this. 
1. Did I do the right thing? Should have I spoken sooner? What would you do differently?
2. Has something like this ever happen to you? If not what do you think that you would do?
3. What do you think that we, as Furries, can do to stop or at least correct these slightly harmful definitions and tags that we receive? Do we really even want to? Should we care? Or should we just stay in the underground society?
4. What do you see in the fur-future? Do you this that soon we'll become a once-taboo or will we just stay a taboo?


Ok, i just want you all to know that I am not trying to stir a bunch of trouble within the forum I just would like to know what ppl thought about these things because there's not a whole lot of forums that touch these subjects (at least none that Ive seen).


Also I want to let you know how I feel about the above questions.
1. Idk it felt right.
2.....
3. Ok honestly I am perfectly content with staying underground, working the forms when I can and keeping to myself. But on the underhand it wouldn't be exactly painful (or maybe it would) if ppl knew the truth and stuff so idk.
4. i think that slowly we will become more and more accepted. I mean it may take a long time but I believe we'll grow on ppl. Remember being homosexual was despised for the longest time but look now, we wouldn't be the world we are without anything unique. (Will and Grace FTW (my fav show lawl)) (off topic and I apologize to state a stereotype).

[AirRaiser]

Wish I was there. Only discussion I've had was in my Phych class where a bunch of Pregnat women complained about how men still rule. Not my fault you couldn't keep you're legs closed. I work in a male dominated work place, I'm respected as a women to the men on my shift.

1. Did I do the right thing? Should have I spoken sooner? What would you do differently?
   Yes you did the right thing. It's hard to speak up when all the world is bashing something they know nothing about. Bring up any type of people, ANY! If something is different or "odd" and misunderstood, people like to follow stereotypes.

2. Has something like this ever happen to you? If not what do you think that you would do?
   I'm entitled to my opinion, I would stand by it. I sell my Furry art at an Anime con, I've had people walk by my table in disgust, groaning about furries, and some kids said they would kill me. (PFFFTTT Yea go ahead and try it, you're what 12? And I clearly stand like 2 feet taller then you. Oh yea and I'm friends with the Con chairs and most of the staff.)

3. What do you think that we, as Furries, can do to stop or at least correct these slightly harmful definitions and tags that we receive? Do we really even want to? Should we care? Or should we just stay in the underground society?
There isn't much we can do. People will think what they want to think, and no amount of reasoning will change their point of view. I think we should want to, but with out people willing to learn it's not going to happen. For the most part, I could care less. Think I'm a pervert because of something I like? Go for it, you don't know me or feel like knowing me. Feel free to live in your ignorance.


4. What do you see in the fur-future? Do you this that soon we'll become a once-taboo or will we just stay a taboo?
We will always be a taboo. Being gay is a taboo, being black is one, being anything where people refuse to try to understand something is a taboo. You can't stop how people think, you can just do your best to give them the information they need to find out. But no one can force them to believe it.

[Mathais]

I quite agree! Also I found that there alot of secret furfans out there in your local neighborhood! I just met two and they didn't know that eachother were, and they've known eachother for queite a long time! lawl!

[___]

Dang. That sucks.

1) Do what you will, but I say that I'm a furry ambassador, so I do what I feel will further positive knowledge about the fandom. I know how hard it is to speak alone on a subject, especially if you're shy, but... You should have, if you really cared.

2) No, not expressivly. I get looks because I wear a collar. If ANYONE bashed the furry fandom they would have HECK to pay! I would've ranted, delibertatde, and debated untill the battle of ignorance was won! I'm who I am because I'm a furry. The fandom gave me courage and peace of mind, so I'd do anything to help us become more accepted. It would have probally ended with security being called on me, though. I get passionate about that kinda stuff.

3) NO! We shouldn't stay underground. What's the point? BBC did a report on furries, and more and more people are getting to know about us.  I say we make a new TV network about furries, like they did with gay people (LOGO, I think it is) and just have furry stuff on it!

4) Everything that goes against the norm will always be taboo to someone. I'm black and I see that some people are still as racist as ever, but at least its a hate crime if they DARE do anything to me. One reason why I'm athiest/agnostic (Not sure yet) is because most relegions are against most things that are diffrent from what THEY say, even if they don't try to convert you. And you shoud be able to do with your body what you want.



Sorry this one is longer than my DDR streak, but I'm very passionate about my furryness.

[Mathais]

No no this is exactly what I was looking for because I was kinda looking for a more feely response group which gave actual thoughts in their responses!

[___]

Ok, cuz people get all touchy-feely when they ask for opinions and they don't get the awnser they wanna hear.

[Mathais]

Well I just like to hear what ppl feel so your ok lawl