Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Courage and Convictions

I've thought long and hard about whether or not I should write this post because it breaks 2 "rules" I've made for myself when it comes to blogging. One rule is don't post more than once a day - I'm not so fascinating or important that anyone would want to hear from me THAT much. The second rule is do NOT write about sex, politics or religion. That one seems kind of obvious. I want everyone to feel comfortable here and personally I am not comfortable sharing my views on those topics. My closest friends (and some family members) don't know my thoughts on those topics. I think of those topics as intensely personal. So, this post is going to break all those rules. Not only is it my second post today but it's going to deal (tangentially) with sex, politics AND religion. A triple threat. I'm taking this step because I think it's important enough to break rule number one and because it's not the sex, politics or religion I want to talk about. OK, now that you're all confused and wondering what the heck I'm talking about it - here it is..


I want to talk about the Miss USA brouhaha that hit the morning talk shows this morning (at least it was on The Today Show). The controversy revolves around the question asked of Miss California, Carrie Prejean, during the interview portion of the competition. Perez Hilton asked her the following question: “Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage, do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?” Miss Prejean answered that she believes that marriage is between a man and a woman and she does not wish to see more states legalize same-sex marriage (or something to that effect). OK, now here is where I do NOT want to talk about sex, religion or politics. I am NOT interested in discussing this question or her answer to it.


What I do want to discuss is the fact that Miss USA contestants and people in general should be applauded when they stand up for their convictions - especially when their convictions are unpopular, politically incorrect and/or might cost them something important (the Miss USA crown). Standing up for your convictions (non-violently, of course) is to be encouraged and applauded. Whether or not I agree with her, I admire her courage and strength. And, truthfully, I wonder about whether we want a Miss USA who simply spouts "non-answers" to heated questions or really answers the question "what do you think". If we don't want to know the answer to those types of questions, we shouldn't ask them. We should not be asking someone to hide their beliefs, if those beliefs in fact will be held against them. I really felt that needed to be said. I hope everyone will be able to see the true intent of this post. The courage of standing up for your convictions. Whether we agree or disagree with Miss Prejean - it's her courage I wish to spotlight.

Image from Google Images

17 comments:

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

VERY well said. Those who scream for tolerance these days seem to be the least tolerate. If you don't want to know what I 'really' think - and agree to accept that I have a right to think the way I do - then for pete's sake, don't ask me!

Alex the Girl said...

That was like a triple shot of espresso (did I spell espresso right?).

"I'm not so fascinating or important that anyone would want to hear from me THAT much"

Actually, it surprises me that your list of followers isn't bigger than what it is. Your posts are one of the few that I try to keep up with daily.

I totally agree with what you're saying, and I'm trying to teach my girls just that. It's important to stand up for your convictions. It's paves the way to decision making, career building, and depending on your convictions, a list of enemies that not even Al Capone had.

Unknown said...

I briefly heard on the news about a controversy costing a contestant the crown, and not sure why but I thought about California repealing their marriage laws, and I thought perhaps the contestant had the opposite view and it cost her the crown, knowing that the entire pageant thing is a bit more conservative(sorry not a pageant lover).
I guess I'm a bot more outspoken from time to time on my blog, and I try hard not to offend anyone too, but I think being courageous sometimes means sharing.
I think this contestant should be applauded for being honest and sharing her views and as Mary said, if you really aren't going to judge me, and then you decide you don't like my view, then for goodness sakes don't ask!
For what it's worth, I think you have many good things say, some more than once a day.

mommakin said...

I used to teach a course on diversity and tolerance. By far, the most difficult topic we broached (and we broached DIFFICULT topics) was that tolerance included tolerating and RESPECTING people whose opinions differ from our own. Tolerating intolerance. It's hard. But it's right.

I want to echo the sentiments of those above. If you feel like you've got more than one post in you on a given day, I'm sure gonna read 'em!

Cassie said...

Would Perez rather her have supported the issue of same sex marriage in that forum just to win but in her heart feel that it is wrong ? How crazy an idea is that ? I applaude her maybe not for her beliefs but for at least having them and sticking to them when she could have easily cast them aside in an attempt to win a CROWN ? I posted on this same topic feel free to check it out. http://cassiekiestler.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-my-tick-some-people-off.html

Debbie said...

I didn't see the contest or any of the talk shows so all of this is new to me. But, I agree with you. She is a woman and has her own opinions. Good for her.

Jennifer Juniper said...

I missed the bru-ha-ha this morning, but I agree with what you said about sticking to your convictions. Hey, not everyone is going to agree, how boring that would be. Can't we just respect each others opinions? Love it!
Popping by from sits:)

Anonymous said...

Pam, You can write as many times a day as you can fit in and I will read whatever it is that you have to say. As I have mentioned to you in the past, perhaps you should be writing a newspaper column. I do understand why you would want to stay away from certain topics, however some things need to be said and you have said it so well.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and should not be made to feel that they are not able to voice those opinions when asked a question. Would it have been better if she lied...NO...I would rather a potential miss USA be telling the truth. She wasn't hurting anyone with her opinion.

Perhaps the problem is with the question. Why ask something that people have such stong opinions about...something that is so volatile. And then to make such a big deal about it...come on perhaps the news makers should spend their time on more important issues.

Colleen

Sandy said...

I watched Matt's interview this morning of that dumbbell Hilton. I wasn't watching closely enough to quote Hilton but what I THINK he said was he thought we should have a Miss USA who represents everyone and no one all at the same time. Huh? Don't ask the question if you don't want the answer. Matt asked him whether he thought it would have been better if she hadn't answered but sort just ran the fence. Of course, he couldn't agree to that. Carrie Prejean was also there to be interviewed by Matt after Hilton's interview. Matt asked her whether her answer would have been different had she known what her response was going to mean to her score. She said she wouldn't betray her own convictions no matter what it cost her....even the Miss USA crown. Bravo Carrie.

Pam said...

First, thanks to those of you said you don't mind if I post more than once a day. Careful what you wish for! LOL!

Secondly, I'm so happy to that everyone agrees that we need to respect each other's opinions - especially when they are presented in a respectful way.

Thirdly, it occured to me after I posted that when Perez Hilton said in his interview that Miss USA needs to represent ALL Americans and by being against same-sex marriage Miss Prejean does not represent gays and lesbians, what he is forgetting is that if she had been pro same-sex marriage she would not be representing those Americans who are opposed to it! There is no way for one person to hold ALL opinions and thereofore agree with everyone. So, Mr. Hilton's argument is completely without merit (at least on that point).

Fourthly, it is my opinion that if Miss Prejean had lied in her answer in order to win the crown she would have lost something much more precious and long-lasting - her self-respect. NOTHING is worth that. NOTHING!

OK, does this diatribe qualify as a quasi third post of the day. YIKES!

Joanna said...

I thought you wrote this post very well and got your point across. Since I usually stick my foot in my mouth, I'm rather impressed with that.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Gamma Sharon said...

I am with everyone else... I like your posts no matter how many a day!
I also agree with you and Miss Prejean should keep to her beliefs as we all should... what does the song say, if you don't believe in something you could fall for anything. Her answer was good if you go and listen to the whole thing. She said she did not want to offend anyone but that was the way she was raised and that was her family values.

kel said...

I don't agree with her, but like you, I applaud her for stating her honest opinion.

And girlie, you can post all you want!

Crystal said...

Very well said!!! I like to talk about the "Big Three" (Sex, Politics and Religion) it can maek for some VERY interesting family get togethers ; ) I totally agree, people need to say what they believe and listen to one another with respect and love.

Terra said...

And simply put -AMEN.

Pam said...

Sharon, Kel, Crystal - Thanks for adding your support and encouragement.

Terra - Welcome to Pam's Perspective. I'm glad you stopped by and hope you'll come again.

Kari Jenkins said...

Hi Pam,
thanks for stopping by adayinmommyland! I completely agree with you on this! If you don't want the honest answer don't ask the question.
kari

 

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