A glimpse of the future

Vincent J. Curtis

9 May 22

RE: Westmount students protest alleged homophobia at Mountain school.  News article by Mark Newman Metroland Media.  Published in the Hamilton Spectator 9 May 22.

This story is of interest because it may provide a glimpse of the future.  If so, we can expect whininess of discontented privileged people to continue.  Theatrical exhibitions of outrage will continue.  Misdirection of blame will continue.  Shallowness will continue.  Adolescent adults will continue.

If 200 Westmount students walked out, it was to take advantage and take a day off.  They feel unsafe!  “Openly gay student rally organizer Liana DeSousa” whines about students like her going to the administration and “not feeling safe.”  I would be more convinced, if she weren’t so angry.  Angry people aren’t fearful.

This walkout was sparked allegedly by unkind comments made on-line by members of the football team about some student “in an openly gay relationship.”  Students of marginalized identities have never felt safe!  All in all, the protesters expect the school administration to do their bidding, or they will be the evil ones.

All this is what you’d expect of adolescent behavior.  Of course, teens who draw attention to themselves are going to be mocked by other teens.  Being mocked is one of the hazards of drawing attention to yourself.  Being noticed was the point!  It wasn’t supposed to have drawbacks!

A student who acts weird is going to either be studiously ignored or made fun of.  A teenager who acts gay is asking to be mocked by other teens.  It’s one way a society ensures there are enough reproductive members of the society.  Teens don’t like being lied to any more than anyone else, and being gay at 15 is a  little young.  Being “in an openly gay relationship” is playing at adulthood and farcical to boot; they’ll be living in their respective parents’ basements until they’re 25!

The adolescents of Westmount have learned from the adolescents in the adult world not to attack the football players, but to attack those with power over them.  But who’s going to put up with the privileged whining when they are in charge?  Or do they believe that adolescence lasts forever?