Impressed By Awesomeness

In 2013, the Daily Show with Jon Stewart hired two men to pretend to date in Mississippi and Alabama to see how people reacted (with hidden cameras). It was part of a longer segment that pointed out how extremely homophobic the laws were in those states. I remember watching the episode nervous for the two men - who were muscular stunt workers instead of regular actors (to dissuade someone from trying to hit them, I was pretty sure). Reminder that this is 2013. In Alabama sodomy is a felony. Federal Gay Marriage is two years away. Civil Unions are banned in many states and the government is hostile as fuck.

So let me tell you what happened. The segment host sends the two men out (one in plaid and the other in camo I think) to hold hands because this is expected to draw a reaction. I was certain they’d be harassed. Certain. But then someone comes up to them on the street it’s to tell them their love is beautiful and they’re the most “punk gay” couple they’ve ever seen. Other people simply walk by without acting like seeing two men together is controversial at all. The segment host sends the “couple” to a fairgrounds to get their picture taken, to hold hands, to kiss. As I’m watching, I am concerned this will end poorly. But the old man taking their picture compliments them. No one harasses them. I’m shocked. Lastly, the host sends them to a Waffle House, one in each state, and has one of the men propose to the other. This is going to be it, I think, no one there will let this stand. And the people at the restaurant when the other guy says yes? They fucking clap. The entire segment to joke about which state is more homophobic sort of… backfires.

Guys, I’ve been thinking about this segment a lot recently. Because the news is shitty, and politicians’ behavior is shitty, and we’re ramping up to dealing with another shitty year of campaigns BUT SOMEHOW in 2013, when I was completely convinced that two guys were going to get beat up in broad daylight for holding hands, people were kind to them. So I just wanted to throw this out there. Yes, the laws are important. Very fucking important. And yes, progress feels slow as fuck. But also, people clapped. And my younger self stared at that tv screen in complete bafflement and awe.

My country is represented by people who do not represent their constituents.

I hate the squirrls

I hate the trees

I hate ra bbits

I hate all bees

I have no per

son al ity

be yond my lawn

Sam: You set me on fire.

Author: @vmohlere

Summary: The mission resets abruptly, from objective: kill to objective: protect

Submitted by: @kiragecko

German expressionist Stucky