The Color Purple

Are you wearing it right now? Did you change your Facebook or Twitter profile pic for the day? Did you redesign your blog template so it too is purple? Did you download the iPhone app so that all the pixxx you sext today are purple? Did you change your photos to purple on Tumblr and Google+ (haha, “Google+”)? Are you purple? Have you engaged in conversation today with a “gay youth” to tell them that “it gets better”? Did you tell them that everything is going to be OK? Are you OK?

Is picking on something as feckless as putting on a particular sweater what you would expect me to do? Sorry! I can’t help myself. I’m a bully, I guess. But I’m sure that you can guess how I feel about GLAAD’s “Spirit Day“:

Millions of Americans wear purple on Spirit Day as a sign of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and to speak out against bullying. Spirit Day was started in 2010 by teenager Brittany McMillan as a response to the young people who had taken their own lives. Observed annually on October 20, individuals, schools, organizations, corporations, media professionals and celebrities wear purple, which symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag. Getting involved is easy — participants are asked to simply “go purple” on October 20 as we work to create a world in which LGBT teens are celebrated and accepted for who they are.

Getting involved is easy. Oh, I bet. People like easy. People like symbols. Purple! One day a year. It’s easy. (Because heaven forbid we do something hard or time consuming.) Just like wearing a red ribbon in the ’80s and ’90s didn’t cure AIDS, wearing purple isn’t going to cure human beings of ignorance, bad parenting, religious intolerance, or anything else that leads to “bullying.” But, whatever! The only thing easier than participating in “Spirit Day” is being cynical about “Spirit Day,” so, I’ll stop.

11 thoughts on “The Color Purple”

  1. Normally I find your sardonic posts to be quite humorous, as well as side with them, but I will have to diverge in agreement here. Wearing purple on that day in support of LGBT youth may help teens who are struggling see that they have allies in the randomest of places (stores at the mall, teachers at their schools, receptionists at doctor’s offices, etc.). Last year, I had a position that sometimes took me into schools for various philanthropic opportunities and one of those days was October 20 – the number of students and teachers, I assume not all were GLBT themselves, were wearing purple. I can’t help but fully believe that the many spottings of purple around that campus helped those who were struggling with their sexuality realize that they have more people in their corner than they were originally thinking.

  2. Bitter jaded sad post. GLAAD’s certainly not just doing something for the community one day of the year. Spirit Day HAS inspired kids and teachers to start Gay-Straight Alliances in their schools. Spirit Day was started by a youth. A lot of people that where Red Ribbons donate to causes that provide health services, research and education – and they where their Ribbon to honor people we lost. Stop looking for justifications for being a lazy douchebag. The point of Spirit Day isn’t to change the world with a choice of apparel. The point is to inspire people to change the world.

  3. One thing is for sure, this effort people are making to do something halfway positive isn’t nearly as effective as being a bunch of bitter old sarcastic whores. Go team!

  4. I’ve never been the type to jump on anyone’s bandwagon. So no. I won’t be participating in this “Wear Purple” nonsense. I’m now reminded of when people were telling me to change my Facebook default picture to my favorite cartoon character in order to fight child abuse. How will posting a picture of Sailor Moon on my profile stop some dad from beating his child Joe Jackson style?

  5. Hahah, I totally agree with you. Great idea, but it doesn’t do anything. Society likes easy and what ever is a quick fix instead of really tackling the issues. But hey, at least it’s some form of progress

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