|
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/101208dnmetqueen.39be68a.html
+ Show Spoiler + Never has the selection of a homecoming queen sent so many tears falling so freely.
Kristin Pass, an 18-year-old senior with Down syndrome, became Aledo High School's homecoming queen Friday to a joyous standing ovation and the flutter of a thousand tissues on a remarkable night for an amazing young woman.
Her grandfather, Dr. David Campbell of Corsicana, escorted her onto the field and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as Kristin joined eight other young women in the Homecoming Court to await the results of the vote, cast by the 360-plus members of Aledo High's senior class.
Then came the announcement ... and pandemonium.
"Oh my gosh! I was sitting in the student section and everyone stood up, crying and cheering for Kristin," said longtime friend and fellow senior Meaghan Geary, 17, who first met Kristin in the third grade. "It was great!"
Carolyn Pass stood at the edge of the football field, taking pictures of her daughter and friends' daughters in the court, when the stadium erupted.
"It's just something you can't even imagine," she said. "And afterward, everyone was just running down to her, congratulating her. And the other girls in the court, they're all just beautiful girls, inside and out."
Ms. Pass said she spoke later with a friend. "She said the only mistake anyone made was not handing out crying towels."
The vote may have been a surprise, but no one who knows Kristin doubts her popularity, her mother said.
"Kristin has a lot of friends – she likes everyone. It doesn't matter if you're tall or short, pretty, not pretty, smart, not smart – she likes everybody. She has great friends. And Aledo is a great community."
"She's just the neatest kid in the whole wide world," added her aunt, Chari Hust of Houston, "and everybody sees that."
Clay Gilmer, who works in the stadium press box, running the scoreboard and clock, said people pushed toward the windows as the young women were introduced.
"They were all pulling for Kristin," Mr. Gilmer said.
When she won, he was thrilled. "This has been such a special time, a special week for Kristin," he said. "And I was really taken by the maturity and the love shown by her friends, her peers, her classmates.
"That makes this a double blessing."
Kristin pronounced the evening "exciting" and "awesome."
She was so thrilled, her mother said, that she took her crown to bed with her.
"She's real proud of it," her friend Meaghan added.
Kristin and her family, including sister Kendall, now a freshman, moved to Aledo when Kristin was in the third grade. She was embraced by the people in town through good times and bad, including the death of her dad, J.T., two years ago.
"We've always had great experiences here," her mom said. "We've been blessed, and I think Kristin brings a lot of blessings to the people she knows."
Her selection as homecoming queen was a wonderful surprise. But Meaghan seemed to have an inkling that it could happen.
"Everyone loves Kristin," she said, "and I didn't know for sure, but in class everyone was like, 'Who are you voting for?' and everybody was like, 'Vote for Kristin, she's so good.' "
Kristin doesn't care what's on the outside, Meaghan said. She's friends with everyone, and everyone admires that.
"She's the person we all want to be," Meaghan said.
Yay she won homecoming queen! I remember at my high school it was always just the prettiest girl that won it, so seeing this was pretty intense. I feel really sorry for people who were just randomly chosen (by the heavens) to have Down Syndrome, but it seems like this girl has made the best out of her situation.
|
Very interesting. I'm very surprised, seeing how it's rare to have something like this happen outside of television shows.
|
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop.
|
Wow, congrats to her.
In something related, I remember this chinese kid that got all excited b/c he was voted as one of the candidates for homecoming king but all the kids that voted for him did it to make fun of him.
|
On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
you are entitled to your opinion. Care to elaborate on what thought process you went through to come to that conclusion?
|
downs isnt random. lots of factors contribute to it. i think women over 40 have a pretty increased chance of bearing a child with downs.
thats pretty cool but, i dont know. it might be the case that they picked her out of like, not pity, but something similar to it.
but grats to her i guess
|
On October 19 2008 14:04 StarN wrote:you are entitled to your opinion. Care to elaborate on what thought process you went through to come to that conclusion?
Ok. I did.
|
|
|
16987 Posts
On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop.
I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended.
|
|
|
On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended.
Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school?
|
On October 19 2008 14:04 il0seonpurpose wrote:
Wow, congrats to her.
In something related, I remember this chinese kid that got all excited b/c he was voted as one of the candidates for homecoming king but all the kids that voted for him did it to make fun of him.
wasn't this a TL blog hahah
|
On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school?
The way I see it, there's already enough places out there advertising for their own personal gains. What's so interesting about this article's school is that it's not all about the pretty faces or outward appearance. I think it's great that there's a place out there that exists like this school.
|
whats so amazing about her?
she has down syndrome..
|
Sounds like shes a pretty down to earth person.....
|
16987 Posts
On October 19 2008 14:32 Rygasm wrote:
Sounds like shes a pretty down to earth person.....
Sounds like you make some pretty shitty puns.
|
On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school?
I imagine you are also incapable of having real "friends", seeing as how you are so focused on the superficiality of outer appearance.
|
On October 19 2008 14:38 Empyrean wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:32 Rygasm wrote:
Sounds like shes a pretty down to earth person..... Sounds like you make some pretty shitty puns.
way to be a downer
|
On October 19 2008 14:30 kpcrew wrote:
I'm a fucking retard.
This is the most outstanding mental illness I see in this thread.
|
On October 19 2008 14:29 ilovezil wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school? The way I see it, there's already enough places out there advertising for their own personal gains. What's so interesting about this article's school is that it's not all about the pretty faces or outward appearance. I think it's great that there's a place out there that exists like this school.
It doesn't. They probably voted for her because "oh my goodness! Let's make her feel good because she has down syndrome!" It's not, "Wow, she's a really amazing person, and the way she looks shouldn't be the deciding factor of who gets to be homecoming queen." It was a pity vote. I can imagine kids in high school all going around and telling each other to vote for her to make her feel good/important/special.
I'm not saying it's a bad thing that she was voted homecoming queen or anything, it was nice of the students to do so. But to think that they actually looked beyond superficiality is ridiculous. I think it's just a matter of a student body wanting to make themselves feel better about themselves for not being so superficial, which makes them superficial. If you follow what I'm saying. I have no proof to back this up at all, I'm just basing it on personal experience (not just what happened to me, but what I saw happen other places/still see in other places).
|
On October 19 2008 15:13 SweeTLemonS[TPR] wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:29 ilovezil wrote:On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school? The way I see it, there's already enough places out there advertising for their own personal gains. What's so interesting about this article's school is that it's not all about the pretty faces or outward appearance. I think it's great that there's a place out there that exists like this school. It doesn't. They probably voted for her because "oh my goodness! Let's make her feel good because she has down syndrome!" It's not, "Wow, she's a really amazing person, and the way she looks shouldn't be the deciding factor of who gets to be homecoming queen." It was a pity vote. I can imagine kids in high school all going around and telling each other to vote for her to make her feel good/important/special. I'm not saying it's a bad thing that she was voted homecoming queen or anything, it was nice of the students to do so. But to think that they actually looked beyond superficiality is ridiculous. I think it's just a matter of a student body wanting to make themselves feel better about themselves for not being so superficial, which makes them superficial.
my thoughts exactly.
|
On October 19 2008 15:13 SweeTLemonS[TPR] wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:29 ilovezil wrote:On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school? The way I see it, there's already enough places out there advertising for their own personal gains. What's so interesting about this article's school is that it's not all about the pretty faces or outward appearance. I think it's great that there's a place out there that exists like this school. It doesn't. They probably voted for her because "oh my goodness! Let's make her feel good because she has down syndrome!" It's not, "Wow, she's a really amazing person, and the way she looks shouldn't be the deciding factor of who gets to be homecoming queen." It was a pity vote. I can imagine kids in high school all going around and telling each other to vote for her to make her feel good/important/special. I'm not saying it's a bad thing that she was voted homecoming queen or anything, it was nice of the students to do so. But to think that they actually looked beyond superficiality is ridiculous. I think it's just a matter of a student body wanting to make themselves feel better about themselves for not being so superficial, which makes them superficial. If you follow what I'm saying. I have no proof to back this up at all, I'm just basing it on personal experience (not just what happened to me, but what I saw happen other places/still see in other places).
This is more than likely true, but if it's not the story still stands as being amazing.
|
I think the point is, whatever the fucking reason they had to vote for her, its still amazing she won, and that people turned the "fuck it, vote for her" button in theyr minds when the time came.
When you think about it, they could have just voted for her for the sake of not giving a flying shit.
|
On October 19 2008 16:07 D10 wrote:
I think the point is, whatever the fucking reason they had to vote for her, its still amazing she won...
I don't understand why this is amazing.
On a whim, the majority of students probably didn't care about who the queen would be. In our high school, when we didn't care about something that we had to participate in, we just went along with the general consensus. So a few girls in the grade decide that it would be "neat" to have this girl win the contest, and eventually the idea just spreads throughout the apathetic majority.
I'm not saying I disagree with the outcome, but to call it "amazing" or "great" is pointless. Especially in my mind, when I haven't met a person that's deliberately rude to someone with down syndrome.
|
i totally agree with sweetlemons[tl;dr]
although, i'm curious, there's a girl at my work who has down's syndrome who is really awesome, but if someone acted like her and didn't have downs syndrome i would probably think she's pretty annoying. i wonder, it's not superficial to cut someone more slack on their social tendencies if they have down's syndrome, is it? even if it goes aww when lisa does that it's cute, but when caitie talks i just want to backhand that annoying dumbass bitch GOD STFU CAITIE I DON'T CARE
like when she talks about johnny depp all the time and calls him "john", that makes me laugh because it's qt but if caitie said that would i tune her out until she stopped talking, hopefully forever?
|
|
|
On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop.
Clearly she is more than a 'kid with down syndrome.' They love her, they think she deserves to be homecoming queen. The social scientists of teamliquid have posited many theories but in the end, what the fuck is wrong with kindness and love? I wish I could smile to every person I talk to in a day, and I try to. Stop forsaking joy; embrace kindness and please everyone smile.
btw you're a cunt.
|
I also think it's pathetic to pick her. It's basically out of sympathy. But you surpass the whole goal. I mean sympathy is great and all, but homecoming queen is supposed to be for popular and pretty girls. (Yes that's how it effectively works out) So when you start picking a 'retarded' person for homecoming queen you are basically saying aawh look it's so sad for her let's pick her to something she isn't supposed to be! I mean I would feel retarded if I were her.
|
On October 20 2008 00:52 {ToT}Strafe wrote:
I also think it's pathetic to pick her. It's basically out of sympathy. But you surpass the whole goal. I mean sympathy is great and all, but homecoming queen is supposed to be for popular and pretty girls. (Yes that's how it effectively works out) So when you start picking a 'retarded' person for homecoming queen you are basically saying aawh look it's so sad for her let's pick her to something she isn't supposed to be! I mean I would feel retarded if I were her.
Who by their own virtue is born 'retarded' or 'beautiful?' Infact, who asks to be born at all. What assessment of anyone is not arbitrary? In the end all the matters is the contrast between pain and satisfaction in our lifes. Joy and kindness can satisfy near any soul (just try them out) and I think there can be no pain or anguish in voting a person you all love homecoming queen or just smiling as you say goodbye to a stranger.
|
I'm not really familiar with the homecoming queens, prom king/queens and all of that, but is this stuff really big? i mean is this something you remember for years or is it just a "funny thing" people talk about for 1-2days?
|
On October 20 2008 01:18 grobo wrote:
I'm not really familiar with the homecoming queens, prom king/queens and all of that, but is this stuff really big? i mean is this something you remember for years or is it just a "funny thing" people talk about for 1-2days?
it all depends on the school/town. I'd imagine in 97.22% White (rich) town in Texas it is a fairly large deal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aledo,_Texas
|
Sympathy votes to winning something what you are totally not is retarded. No matter how sentimental you make it. Well yeah good for her.
|
On October 20 2008 01:20 Wysp wrote:Show nested quote +On October 20 2008 01:18 grobo wrote:
I'm not really familiar with the homecoming queens, prom king/queens and all of that, but is this stuff really big? i mean is this something you remember for years or is it just a "funny thing" people talk about for 1-2days? it all depends on the school/town. I'd imagine in 97.22% White (rich) town in Texas it is a fairly large deal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aledo,_Texas
basically simliar to my town, replace texas with michigan. nobody really cares after it happens...you just vote during lunch and then at the homecoming game they announce you. i guess if you're on it its pretty cool otherwise you dont really care. Nobody really talks about it other than "who was queen/king again?" "oh cool" and thats it.
On October 19 2008 15:13 SweeTLemonS[TPR] wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:29 ilovezil wrote:On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school? The way I see it, there's already enough places out there advertising for their own personal gains. What's so interesting about this article's school is that it's not all about the pretty faces or outward appearance. I think it's great that there's a place out there that exists like this school. It doesn't. They probably voted for her because "oh my goodness! Let's make her feel good because she has down syndrome!" It's not, "Wow, she's a really amazing person, and the way she looks shouldn't be the deciding factor of who gets to be homecoming queen." It was a pity vote. I can imagine kids in high school all going around and telling each other to vote for her to make her feel good/important/special. I'm not saying it's a bad thing that she was voted homecoming queen or anything, it was nice of the students to do so. But to think that they actually looked beyond superficiality is ridiculous. I think it's just a matter of a student body wanting to make themselves feel better about themselves for not being so superficial, which makes them superficial. If you follow what I'm saying. I have no proof to back this up at all, I'm just basing it on personal experience (not just what happened to me, but what I saw happen other places/still see in other places).
QFT
|
On October 20 2008 01:18 grobo wrote:
I'm not really familiar with the homecoming queens, prom king/queens and all of that, but is this stuff really big? i mean is this something you remember for years or is it just a "funny thing" people talk about for 1-2days?
Depends on the school and the clique that you're a part of. I know that in my school and all the schools in the area, no one cares at all except the "popular" girls (and it isn't even that big of a deal for them).
As far as I know, it's some fun for those chosen to be on the court, but nothing special.
|
I think the few people that campaigned for her to be home coming queen did genuniely care about her as a person and I applaud them for looking past her illness. But the rest of the people that voted for her did it out of pity in order not to look bad in front of their friends that did vote for her.
|
She is hideous, the fuck?
Obviously, it was a pity vote. Like someone else said, Homecoming Kings and Queens are supposed to be attractive, that's how it works everywhere. It's nothing but a fucking image contest.
And Goddamn is her forehead huge too.
|
|
|
Hrmmm i read about this a week or so ago...I live around the area. Nice to know there's some kids nowadays that have some sort of heart.
|
On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop.
|
Wow, you guys are cynical. I think whether or not she truly is popular with people(something we have no reason to doubt) or if this was a pity vote, is irrelevant. Either way the people in her high school have been "big" enough to prevent this from being a bigger disadvantage than it already is by putting her on the same social level, so to speak. For a bunch of high school kids, I think that is impressive.
|
Isn't this already a commercial...
|
Too many people are assuming they know this person simply because she has downsyndrom. Stop sterotyping her as someone who is unable to attain a simple title such a homecomming queen because you feel that a person with down syndrom is not worthy or deserving of such an insignificant title.
I'm a little sad in reading your responses strafe...I felt you had a higher view of people and were not the type of person to make these kinds of generalizations.
Edit:
This thread in summary: People with downsyndrom cannot be 1. Popular 2.Attractive 3. Intelligent 4. Worthyor capable of winning silly highschool titles on their own. In addition to this if they are recoginized for having any of the first 3 qualities then its obviously attributed to the fact that other people pity her and not to the faact that she may have worked hard to achieve whatever it is you wish to take from her.
Sometimes i really am sickened by the way people fail to recognize how wrong they think is...Just digest what you people have said in this thread.. it would fit in more easily in nazi germany then in the general forum..
|
Am I the only one who'se surprise by some people's responses here?, if you think only "pretty people" should win just get the FUCK OUT
|
The stereotype here is not that a person with down syndrom cannot become homecoming queen, its the fact that people assume that those with disabilities or illnesses need special attention and special recognition. My cynicism is towards those that voted for her just because she has down syndrome.
|
On October 20 2008 04:37 ktp wrote:
The stereotype here is not that a person with down syndrom cannot become homecoming queen, its the fact that people assume that those with disabilities or illnesses need special attention and special recognition. My cynicism is towards those that voted for her just because she has down syndrome.
And how do you know they voted for her because she has downsyndom and not because she is popular? Your still making an assumption.
|
@ Adam Banks
I can absolutely assure you that she is not: 1. Attractive by societal measures, at least aesthetically 2. Intelligent (Most people with down syndrome suffer from mental retardation)
She may be "popular," but that doesn't mean that she has any true friends. People like her are often incapable of having meaningful relationships even within their own families.
|
It's just homecomming queen. Anyone else just thinking that.
|
On October 20 2008 05:11 iheartgna wrote:
@ Adam Banks
I can absolutely assure you that she is not: 1. Attractive by societal measures, at least aesthetically 2. Intelligent (Most people with down syndrome suffer from mental retardation)
She may be "popular," but that doesn't mean that she has any true friends. People like her are often incapable of having meaningful relationships even within their own families.
1. Only 5% of the total population is 'attractive by societal measures' (basing this on the fact that only 5% of people have or can have the ideal body type)
2. Measures of intelligence are weak and fail to take into account the experiences of anyone who is not upperclass and white.
You for instance would prolly score above 100 on the standard simon binnot (sp) iq test,i however without assistance would not score over 70. However given the proper help, in this case someone who can recite verbally the questions in english, i can; and have scored over 140. Now am i mentally retarded or am i a genious?
Your jab at popularity also leads me to believe that you feel that anyone who is popular is too be looked down upon. People like you are often incapable of having meaningfull realitionships even with their own families. They often hate themselves so much they begin hate those around them because they are unable or unwilling to forgive the their own shortcommings or the flaws of those aruond them.
I am sorry you probably have no true friends but your the problem here, not the girl with downsyndrom, or the people who voted for her. Its you and those like you who think that having downsyndrom makes you less then human.
Who's more pitiful?
|
I find it likely that most of the voters voted based on what their friends told them to do, and because it seemed like a nice thing to do. They didn't vote based on personality/looks/intelligence/etc. You can call it cynicism, but in my opinion, the people that think this is such a great story are naive.
They didn't vote for Kristin Pass, they voted for the girl with Down Syndrome.
|
They didn't vote based on personality/looks/intelligence/etc. You can call it cynicism
Is it more superficial to vote for someone based on looks than to try to bolster up the self perception of someone with down syndrome? There is no point in talking about the motivations behind the vote, because we just don't know. Regardless of the motivations I think it is impressive for a community of young kids to do this.
|
This is pretty touching, but it just goes to show how little it means to be homecoming queen.
|
@ Adam Banks
You passing judgement on me just seems silly. I never said anything about the girl in question that I'm sure wasn't true. I never said she was a bad person in any facet just that she was born with a very socially crippling disorder.
Though most of what you said was irrelevant I will address it anyway.
You for instance use the word "prolly," and your posts are riddled with rational incongruities and grammatical errors suggesting that you most definitely need help to get a 140 on a standard IQ test.
Your defense of "Popularity" leads me to believe that you think that a person can judge his/her merit by the number of friends they have. You may be very popular and cling to it as you feel it is very important to be liked by all.
Are you a genius or mentally retarded? Well, you couldn't spell "genius" correctly...
|
On October 20 2008 06:01 Slithe wrote:
I find it likely that most of the voters voted based on what their friends told them to do, and because it seemed like a nice thing to do. They didn't vote based on personality/looks/intelligence/etc. You can call it cynicism, but in my opinion, the people that think this is such a great story are naive.
They didn't vote for Kristin Pass, they voted for the girl with Down Syndrome.
This. "Guys wouldn't it really speak for our characters if we voted her in???????"
|
@TeCh)PsylO
My speculation on the motivations behind the vote are indeed mere assumptions, which is where the cynicism vs optimism comes into play.
My problem with this is that people are voting to help the retarded kid, for the sake of the fact that it's the retarded kid. I believe that the way you worded your post reflects this: "to try to bolster up the self perception of someone with down syndrome". This was a vote that came from some superficial sense of charity and kindness. As such, in my eyes this "achievement" is shallow and has little meaning.
|
United States3824 Posts
Well isn't that a hallmark moment?
|
On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school?
Sure, why not? Do you have any experience with down syndrome that suggest otherwise?
"Everyone loves Kristin," she said, "and I didn't know for sure, but in class everyone was like, 'Who are you voting for?' and everybody was like, 'Vote for Kristin, she's so good.' "
Kristin doesn't care what's on the outside, Meaghan said. She's friends with everyone, and everyone admires that.
|
Wow, some people in this thread are making me lose faith in humanity.
By some 'normal' people's standards perhaps we should redefine who is and who isn't a person...to include only the attractive smart ones...
T_T
|
On October 20 2008 07:02 Schnake wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school? Sure, why not? Do you have any experience with down syndrome that suggest otherwise?
"Everyone loves Kristin," she said, "and I didn't know for sure, but in class everyone was like, 'Who are you voting for?' and everybody was like, 'Vote for Kristin, she's so good.' "
Kristin doesn't care what's on the outside, Meaghan said. She's friends with everyone, and everyone admires that.
the whole basis of voting for her because she's "so good" and "friends with everyone" is only supporting the argument that everyone's voting for Down's Syndrome girl, not Kristin. i mean, how hard is it to not start shit with everyone and consider yourself "everyone's friend"? and can you even consider her a real friend? it's a nice story and all, but it doesn't give me that "aww, how special" feeling it tries to evoke.
|
This was a vote that came from some superficial sense of charity and kindness. As such, in my eyes this "achievement" is shallow and has little meaning
Superficial in what sense? It had a real impact on Kristin, her family, and set a good example for everyone in the high school. There is nothing superficial about that. Voting for the cute girl that dates the H.S. football QB is superficial.
|
On October 19 2008 15:53 paper wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 15:13 SweeTLemonS[TPR] wrote:On October 19 2008 14:29 ilovezil wrote:On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school? The way I see it, there's already enough places out there advertising for their own personal gains. What's so interesting about this article's school is that it's not all about the pretty faces or outward appearance. I think it's great that there's a place out there that exists like this school. It doesn't. They probably voted for her because "oh my goodness! Let's make her feel good because she has down syndrome!" It's not, "Wow, she's a really amazing person, and the way she looks shouldn't be the deciding factor of who gets to be homecoming queen." It was a pity vote. I can imagine kids in high school all going around and telling each other to vote for her to make her feel good/important/special. I'm not saying it's a bad thing that she was voted homecoming queen or anything, it was nice of the students to do so. But to think that they actually looked beyond superficiality is ridiculous. I think it's just a matter of a student body wanting to make themselves feel better about themselves for not being so superficial, which makes them superficial. my thoughts exactly.
thats what i said! in a not so eloquent manner 
|
On October 20 2008 06:30 iheartgna wrote:
@ Adam Banks
You passing judgement on me just seems silly. I never said anything about the girl in question that I'm sure wasn't true. I never said she was a bad person in any facet just that she was born with a very socially crippling disorder.
Though most of what you said was irrelevant I will address it anyway.
You for instance use the word "prolly," and your posts are riddled with rational incongruities and grammatical errors suggesting that you most definitely need help to get a 140 on a standard IQ test.
Your defense of "Popularity" leads me to believe that you think that a person can judge his/her merit by the number of friends they have. You may be very popular and cling to it as you feel it is very important to be liked by all.
Are you a genius or mentally retarded? Well, you couldn't spell "genius" correctly...
lolol I really can't tell if you are beeing sarcastic or not :p
Just in case you aren't, it was quite clear from his post that he has dyslexia or something similar. To read that and then go after his spelling in an attempt to get at him is beyond lol.
And yes a bunch of kids voting for a girl with ds is way better than the same bunch of kids not doing it.
Their reasons might have been shallow but I am convinced they learned something about compassion in the process.
|
I'm not really trying to get at him; I wish I could portray my thoughts better without sounding like an asshole but I cannot. Though it may not be his fault he sounded moronic, he did. Though it is not her fault that she is physically deformed and mentally retarded, she is. If you remove the bad connotation of these ideas then they are just characteristics. If she looked and acted the same way but did not have down syndrome she would not have won, end of story.
|
On October 20 2008 08:09 TeCh)PsylO wrote:Show nested quote +This was a vote that came from some superficial sense of charity and kindness. As such, in my eyes this "achievement" is shallow and has little meaning Superficial in what sense? It had a real impact on Kristin, her family, and set a good example for everyone in the high school. There is nothing superficial about that. Voting for the cute girl that dates the H.S. football QB is superficial.
The entire competition is superficial, regardless of who wins. Even if there is a real impact on Kristin and her family, it's built on something fake and meaningless. They're deluding themselves into thinking that they actually accomplished something.
The accomplishment here is: "Down Syndrome Girl wins Popularity Contest". This girl was able to win the contest, probably because of the fact that she has Down Syndrome. If she was just ugly and dumb, no one would have given a flying fuck about her.
If I thought she actually won because of her great personality, then I would see this as a meaningful event. However, I highly doubt that's the case.
|
This is a heart warming story in the ways that the people have a heart and a kind soul. Peoplewith Downs Syndrome are really great people, I have never met a single peerson with downs syndrom who was mean.
|
On October 20 2008 03:15 TeCh)PsylO wrote:
Wow, you guys are cynical. I think whether or not she truly is popular with people(something we have no reason to doubt) or if this was a pity vote, is irrelevant. Either way the people in her high school have been "big" enough to prevent this from being a bigger disadvantage than it already is by putting her on the same social level, so to speak. For a bunch of high school kids, I think that is impressive.
They're not putting her on the same social level though. They just donated a temporary superficial award to her. You think they called her up that weekend to hang out/party? I don't.
|
This is disgusting, selfish behavior by the kids of that school.
It is all too clear that the self-conscious, middle-class, pampered students who voted for her are simply devaluing the importance of winning the homecoming queen contest, essentially saying "Fuck you, if I'm not popular enough to win, then I'll vote for someone to make a mockery of this whole contest." Thus, these students are not voting out of sympathy for a person with Down Syndrome, but they are simply voting out of hatred of outwardly attractive people based on their own insecure beliefs that someone might actually be more attractive than herself.
|
That is cool for something like this to happen. Got some nice students are your school.
|
On October 20 2008 08:41 iheartgna wrote:
I'm not really trying to get at him; I wish I could portray my thoughts better without sounding like an asshole but I cannot. Though it may not be his fault he sounded moronic, he did. Though it is not her fault that she is physically deformed and mentally retarded, she is. If you remove the bad connotation of these ideas then they are just characteristics. If she looked and acted the same way but did not have down syndrome she would not have won, end of story.
You are acting like an asshole. I really think there's a problem with the way you think about people. I was just trying to make the point that you do not know her and to assume those things about her simply based on the fact that she has this condition is wrong.
You assuming that you know her is as ludicrous as me assuming the things I said about you. You're being just as dumb as some of my post appeared to be.
|
damn Aledo is 5 minutes away from my town lol
|
On October 20 2008 09:43 Mooga wrote:
This is disgusting, selfish behavior by the kids of that school.
It is all too clear that the self-conscious, middle-class, pampered students who voted for her are simply devaluing the importance of winning the homecoming queen contest, essentially saying "Fuck you, if I'm not popular enough to win, then I'll vote for someone to make a mockery of this whole contest." Thus, these students are not voting out of sympathy for a person with Down Syndrome, but they are simply voting out of hatred of outwardly attractive people based on their own insecure beliefs that someone might actually be more attractive than herself.
I hate to say it or agree with it, but it's the truth. You want to know why I think that? Because the same thing happens at my school.
Last year an extremely unattractive and stupid guy was chosen as our prince, why? Because of exactly that, people felt that if they couldn't win, why not make a mockery of it and have someone ridiculous win. Same thing happened with a girl freshman year. This year both the freshman winner and the sophomore winner (the guys) at our school were openly gay. You think they were chosen for their friendly personality and outlook on life? No, they were chosen as a joke, a joke the entire class was "in on". The people chosen even knew there was no reason they were chosen except to mock them, making the entire experience terrible for them, devoid of all value that was there.
I cannot speak for the situation at this particular school. For all I know I'm an asshole and this girl is genuinely nice and deserving. However given what I know about high school, this is most likely the same type of deal, but no one would dare admit it was a "mockery" in public in this situation.
|
School is bad enough already, cant you guys let go of all the assholeness of it for a moment and be happy for the retarded kid ?
So what it if it was a mockery pick, its not like she wont remember and enjoy it for the rest of her life.
Theres more to things than jokes.
|
|
|
Really agree with iheartgna's reaction.
AdamBanks you made me sigh when you said 5% of people are attractive. Using that as an argument for your position is just, well, sigh. Guess you should pull out your stats source next time ? lol
|
Russian Federation4333 Posts
On October 20 2008 05:33 AdamBanks wrote:
1. Only 5% of the total population is 'attractive by societal measures' (basing this on the FACT that only 5% of people have or can have the ideal body type)
Fact?? Source please.
If you think that a person needs to have "the ideal body type" to be "attractive by social measures" then that's pretty sad.
|
On October 20 2008 11:24 AdamBanks wrote:Show nested quote +On October 20 2008 08:41 iheartgna wrote:
I'm not really trying to get at him; I wish I could portray my thoughts better without sounding like an asshole but I cannot. Though it may not be his fault he sounded moronic, he did. Though it is not her fault that she is physically deformed and mentally retarded, she is. If you remove the bad connotation of these ideas then they are just characteristics. If she looked and acted the same way but did not have down syndrome she would not have won, end of story. You are acting like an asshole. I really think there's a problem with the way you think about people. I was just trying to make the point that you do not know her and to assume those things about her simply based on the fact that she has this condition is wrong. You assuming that you know her is as ludicrous as me assuming the things I said about you. You're being just as dumb as some of my post appeared to be.
I think you're being more of an asshole than he is though :/
|
I don't think appearence is an issnue here because those two girls standing next to her are not physically attractive either.
|
At my high school our homecoming king won (deservingly so) because he survived a serious bout with cancer last year. And our 2nd runner up was gay, but a very nice guy.
|
That school is so nice compared to my school.
|
Osaka27149 Posts
Wow, isn't it so easy to be cynical behind the keyboard. Guessing the motives of people you don't know makes you look callow and weak. So many of you are willing to write the girl off because of some vague concept you have of her disability.
She is hideous, the fuck?
Obviously, it was a pity vote. Like someone else said, Homecoming Kings and Queens are supposed to be attractive, that's how it works everywhere. It's nothing but a fucking image contest.
And Goddamn is her forehead huge too.
And that is ban worthy.
|
|
|
It's a fucking shame, that even behind the keyboard, peolple can't go beyond "their thinking".
I don't get this shit, at all.
|
Russian Federation4235 Posts
Well, considering you've chosen Bush president twice, I'm not that surprised.
|
Omg Palin has down syndrome every1 vote 4 her
|
i just finished reading this thread because of PX
i haven't been able to stop weeping
|
United States20661 Posts
On October 19 2008 15:53 paper wrote:Show nested quote +On October 19 2008 15:13 SweeTLemonS[TPR] wrote:On October 19 2008 14:29 ilovezil wrote:On October 19 2008 14:24 iheartgna wrote:On October 19 2008 14:11 Empyrean wrote:On October 19 2008 14:02 iheartgna wrote:
That is so pathetic.
Edit: I decided to explain. Chastising someone with disabilities just magnifies their ailment. Shit, I've never seen an unhappy kid with down syndrome, they could have just bought her a lollipop. I think what the article was getting at was that there are people who can look past outside disabilities and see through to the person on the inside. That the senior class can see past someone's Down Syndrome is something to be commended. Do you think any of them consider her their friend? Though, that may say nothing about the class because I imagine she is incapable of having real "friends." Homecoming Queen is supposed to be the face of your school. If you looked at a catalog of schools with only their name and a picture of their Homecoming Queen would you want that girl next to your school? The way I see it, there's already enough places out there advertising for their own personal gains. What's so interesting about this article's school is that it's not all about the pretty faces or outward appearance. I think it's great that there's a place out there that exists like this school. It doesn't. They probably voted for her because "oh my goodness! Let's make her feel good because she has down syndrome!" It's not, "Wow, she's a really amazing person, and the way she looks shouldn't be the deciding factor of who gets to be homecoming queen." It was a pity vote. I can imagine kids in high school all going around and telling each other to vote for her to make her feel good/important/special. I'm not saying it's a bad thing that she was voted homecoming queen or anything, it was nice of the students to do so. But to think that they actually looked beyond superficiality is ridiculous. I think it's just a matter of a student body wanting to make themselves feel better about themselves for not being so superficial, which makes them superficial. my thoughts exactly.
|
On October 20 2008 09:12 decafchicken wrote:Show nested quote +On October 20 2008 03:15 TeCh)PsylO wrote:
Wow, you guys are cynical. I think whether or not she truly is popular with people(something we have no reason to doubt) or if this was a pity vote, is irrelevant. Either way the people in her high school have been "big" enough to prevent this from being a bigger disadvantage than it already is by putting her on the same social level, so to speak. For a bunch of high school kids, I think that is impressive. They're not putting her on the same social level though. They just donated a temporary superficial award to her. You think they called her up that weekend to hang out/party? I don't.
Saying "the same social level" may have been a bad choice of words, but they don't need to call her up on the weekends for this to make her feel included in what is going on with her peers. I'm blown away by how many people are looking down on this. The assumption that voting for her was somehow completely self serving and superficial in no way out weighs, even if that assumption is true, the positive implications on this girl.
|
People here need their dim view on reality reassured. They need an excuse, one driven by selfishness, to explain why someone would vote for this girl because they are far too pathetic of human beings to do it themselves.
|
On October 21 2008 11:02 TeCh)PsylO wrote:Show nested quote +On October 20 2008 09:12 decafchicken wrote:On October 20 2008 03:15 TeCh)PsylO wrote:
Wow, you guys are cynical. I think whether or not she truly is popular with people(something we have no reason to doubt) or if this was a pity vote, is irrelevant. Either way the people in her high school have been "big" enough to prevent this from being a bigger disadvantage than it already is by putting her on the same social level, so to speak. For a bunch of high school kids, I think that is impressive. They're not putting her on the same social level though. They just donated a temporary superficial award to her. You think they called her up that weekend to hang out/party? I don't. Saying "the same social level" may have been a bad choice of words, but they don't need to call her up on the weekends for this to make her feel included in what is going on with her peers. I'm blown away by how many people are looking down on this. The assumption that voting for her was somehow completely self serving and superficial in no way out weighs, even if that assumption is true, the positive implications on this girl.
I agree with this. It probably was a "pity" vote and she's probably not likely to be integrated into the popular social scene anytime soon. However, I'm sure she felt good even if she questioned the apparent motives of her peers. And I'm sure the rest of the peers felt good to have done a good, helpful deed. Doing the deed > not doing the deed. Honestly, almost every nice thing we do benefits our own conscience as well. Does it make the deed any less? Should we stop the "pity" votes? In my opinion, no way!
|
On October 21 2008 12:31 Xusneb wrote:Show nested quote +On October 21 2008 11:02 TeCh)PsylO wrote:On October 20 2008 09:12 decafchicken wrote:On October 20 2008 03:15 TeCh)PsylO wrote:
Wow, you guys are cynical. I think whether or not she truly is popular with people(something we have no reason to doubt) or if this was a pity vote, is irrelevant. Either way the people in her high school have been "big" enough to prevent this from being a bigger disadvantage than it already is by putting her on the same social level, so to speak. For a bunch of high school kids, I think that is impressive. They're not putting her on the same social level though. They just donated a temporary superficial award to her. You think they called her up that weekend to hang out/party? I don't. Saying "the same social level" may have been a bad choice of words, but they don't need to call her up on the weekends for this to make her feel included in what is going on with her peers. I'm blown away by how many people are looking down on this. The assumption that voting for her was somehow completely self serving and superficial in no way out weighs, even if that assumption is true, the positive implications on this girl. I agree with this. It probably was a "pity" vote and she's probably not likely to be integrated into the popular social scene anytime soon. However, I'm sure she felt good even if she questioned the apparent motives of her peers. And I'm sure the rest of the peers felt good to have done a good, helpful deed. Doing the deed > not doing the deed. Honestly, almost every nice thing we do benefits our own conscience as well. Does it make the deed any less? Should we stop the "pity" votes? In my opinion, no way!
My thoughts exactly. Who cares if its pity votes. (although I'm afraid majority of the votes probably were.) She enjoyed it. This is something she will remember whereas some hot popular girl would forget after the next big dance.
|
On October 21 2008 11:38 BlackJack wrote:
People here need their dim view on reality reassured. They need an excuse, one driven by selfishness, to explain why someone would vote for this girl because they are far too pathetic of human beings to do it themselves.
The truth hurts. What else can I say?
Anyway, I'll let you take the moral high-ground on this issue. Enjoy your world -- devoid of logic and reason -- a world which is governed by superficial morality and a line between good and evil. A world that you have worked so hard for, while fearing that if your view of reality came crashing down right before your own eyes, you might come to the realization that all of your hard work has been in vain. This, in turn, causes you to assume that these students are acting based on what they think is morally the "right" thing to do. Well... if you believe in this world enough, it becomes reality, right? 
|
This reminds me of the kid who jerked off freshman year to the movie "Romeo & Juliet" in English class (I was a junior at the time) and was caught by a girl when she smelled, well, you know. Then, everyone voted for him as Homecoming King. The stupid moron didn't even go to the thing.
|
This post dragged all the dickheads out of the woodwork like sweetlemons, the guy who posted that famous pic of the african kid starving next to a vulture and said it was funny
lmao, you asshole
|
just reading this thread is causing my penis to invert, crawl up inside of me and turn into a vagina i gotta go
|
On October 21 2008 12:31 Xusneb wrote:Show nested quote +On October 21 2008 11:02 TeCh)PsylO wrote:On October 20 2008 09:12 decafchicken wrote:On October 20 2008 03:15 TeCh)PsylO wrote:
Wow, you guys are cynical. I think whether or not she truly is popular with people(something we have no reason to doubt) or if this was a pity vote, is irrelevant. Either way the people in her high school have been "big" enough to prevent this from being a bigger disadvantage than it already is by putting her on the same social level, so to speak. For a bunch of high school kids, I think that is impressive. They're not putting her on the same social level though. They just donated a temporary superficial award to her. You think they called her up that weekend to hang out/party? I don't. Saying "the same social level" may have been a bad choice of words, but they don't need to call her up on the weekends for this to make her feel included in what is going on with her peers. I'm blown away by how many people are looking down on this. The assumption that voting for her was somehow completely self serving and superficial in no way out weighs, even if that assumption is true, the positive implications on this girl. I agree with this. It probably was a "pity" vote and she's probably not likely to be integrated into the popular social scene anytime soon. However, I'm sure she felt good even if she questioned the apparent motives of her peers. And I'm sure the rest of the peers felt good to have done a good, helpful deed. Doing the deed > not doing the deed. Honestly, almost every nice thing we do benefits our own conscience as well. Does it make the deed any less? Should we stop the "pity" votes? In my opinion, no way!
On some level, I want to say fine, it's better to do it than not, even if I believe the motivation is incorrect. On the other hand, I feel like it's not a good thing because it promotes behavior that I believe is fundamentally wrong. The behavior that I speak of is the subtle patronization of Kristin in the form of the "pity" vote.
It's kind of like this: a lot of people do great things in the name of their religion (charity, community service, etc). But even if they do these great things, they're doing it because their religion dictates that they should, not because they actually think it is the moral thing to do. If their religion is wrong, then the whole foundation for their actions is flawed.
In the long run, I think that this trend of doing the right thing for the wrong reasons will be more hurtful than helpful, and we should first consider our reasons before following through with our actions.
|
Norway28669 Posts
it's a pity vote but its still very very nice
also good that whatever bitch thought she was gonna win didnt
|
well... if she is the best looking girl in that school then god bless
|
Sjeesh, 5 pages full of arguments...
Are you all on your period or something?
Be happy for the girl, who cares if she got the title because people were pitying her... I bet she's happy
|
On October 21 2008 11:38 BlackJack wrote:
People here need their dim view on reality reassured. They need an excuse, one driven by selfishness, to explain why someone would vote for this girl because they are far too pathetic of human beings to do it themselves.
Couldn't have said it better
|
How does everyone think this is a pity vote?
People with Down's syndrome can be really lovable, they have a kind of child-like innocence that can be very endearing. When you get past their appearance, and actually spend a lot of time with them, I bet there's not a lot of people who could actually have anything against them. This girl in particular seems less 'mentally retarded' than normal people with Down's syndrome (seeing as she's functioning well at a normal high school? could be wrong here), so it's possible she could actually have meaningful conversations with other students, causing those students to acknowledge how endearingly happy and innocent she is.
Saying they looked 'past the disease and loved her as a person' doesn't sound right though, seeing as not only her appearance but also her personality is affected by her disability. So yeah Down's syndrome people can be really lovable, it's really hard to hate someone who's that happy and innocent, so it's actually plausible to think she could have a lot of friends.
|
United States22883 Posts
^Not to mention none of us know what she or her classmates are actually like. You're all just assuming "generic highschool kids looks down upon generic kid with downs syndrome" which obviously is not the case here.
|
Austin10831 Posts
People with DS can not only contribute to society, but inspire greatness in anyone. I know this because I've seen it. It's disheartening to see so many cynics on TL ready to believe the worst in people.
|
I think this is great, because even if it tarnishes the "traditional purpose" of the homecoming queen (whatever the fuck that means), it suggests to people with downs syndrome and people with similar, if lesser disabilities have a place in society and are not subhuman.
Because if you look at reality, they're often treated as such.
|
they should have a survey for the guys.
"If you vote for this person, would you hit her?"
This is pretty much wacked, + Show Spoiler +
almost the same as voting a fat chick out of 7 other chicks.
thus, making the other 7 candidates ''shitty".
|
I don't even know what this whole homecoming queen election shit is good for. Oh you Americans and your silly traditions.
I don't see a problem with electing her by the way, people with DS certainly are more fun than dumb bimbo's who only think about their hair all day. At least people with DS have an excuse for that. Noone feels sorry for her because there's nothing to feel sorry for. Just a nice gesture, that's it, nothing sad about it.
woa check out my postcount
|
On October 20 2008 03:15 TeCh)PsylO wrote:
Wow, you guys are cynical. I think whether or not she truly is popular with people(something we have no reason to doubt) or if this was a pity vote, is irrelevant. Either way the people in her high school have been "big" enough to prevent this from being a bigger disadvantage than it already is by putting her on the same social level, so to speak. For a bunch of high school kids, I think that is impressive.
Impressive? LOL. No. It's rather pathetic that you fuel your own ego, and make yourself feel good about something, using another person (and specifically a disabled person) in the proccess (I'm referring to the persons who did this, not to you).
Did she really want to be queen? Did she expressed this desire? I don't think so, and even if she did, it's basically a discrimination based upon her flaw, which actually puts her mental condition in an even stronger light.
On the other hand, it's not okay to just ignore someone suffering from Down synd. and pretend you never see them, because in most normal, objective circumstances they wouldn't stand a chance against normal people. That's an even worse discrimination.
I guess it's really dependent on if she wanted to become queen. In case she did, it may be a great act of encouragement towards her, and it IS nice to see some kids do it, but if she had no ideea that it was going to happen, then it basically went like:
"OMG WE"RE SO COOL AND BIG HEARTED, WE ROCK"
|
On October 23 2008 09:33 Frits wrote:
I don't see a problem with electing her by the way, people with DS certainly are more fun than dumb bimbo's who only think about their hair all day.
I so agree with this. The whole nature of the event is rather curious, and I certainly wouldn't give a rats ass if something like this was a custom where I live. It's so superficial and stupid, imho.
|
Manifesto said it best, most of us don't know what that particular high school was like and are assuming they do based on their own experiences. Was it a pity vote? Was it genuine? Unless you have first-hand knowledge about this particular situation, all you can do is make assumptions.
|
Hey I don't mean to be rude or insensitive or anything, but its an honest question. I remember in my highschool biology class my teacher told us that a defining characteristic of a species is that they all have the same number of chromosomes. Down Syndrome kids have 47 whereas all other humans are 46. Are they really humans then? Plus all organisms on earth have even numbers of chromosomes (pairs).
|
Is this how you guys elect your presidents as well?
Pick the one you pity the most?
Well ontopic, I don't know really know what I should make of this.
If I put myself in that girls position, I would know that I probably didnt deserve it, and that people voted for me couse they felt sorry for me.
I dont know, I might be wrong, but if this gave her a self-esteem boost or whatever, then im happy for her =)
|
On October 21 2008 19:14 Slithe wrote:Show nested quote +On October 21 2008 12:31 Xusneb wrote:On October 21 2008 11:02 TeCh)PsylO wrote:On October 20 2008 09:12 decafchicken wrote:On October 20 2008 03:15 TeCh)PsylO wrote:
Wow, you guys are cynical. I think whether or not she truly is popular with people(something we have no reason to doubt) or if this was a pity vote, is irrelevant. Either way the people in her high school have been "big" enough to prevent this from being a bigger disadvantage than it already is by putting her on the same social level, so to speak. For a bunch of high school kids, I think that is impressive. They're not putting her on the same social level though. They just donated a temporary superficial award to her. You think they called her up that weekend to hang out/party? I don't. Saying "the same social level" may have been a bad choice of words, but they don't need to call her up on the weekends for this to make her feel included in what is going on with her peers. I'm blown away by how many people are looking down on this. The assumption that voting for her was somehow completely self serving and superficial in no way out weighs, even if that assumption is true, the positive implications on this girl. I agree with this. It probably was a "pity" vote and she's probably not likely to be integrated into the popular social scene anytime soon. However, I'm sure she felt good even if she questioned the apparent motives of her peers. And I'm sure the rest of the peers felt good to have done a good, helpful deed. Doing the deed > not doing the deed. Honestly, almost every nice thing we do benefits our own conscience as well. Does it make the deed any less? Should we stop the "pity" votes? In my opinion, no way! On some level, I want to say fine, it's better to do it than not, even if I believe the motivation is incorrect. On the other hand, I feel like it's not a good thing because it promotes behavior that I believe is fundamentally wrong. The behavior that I speak of is the subtle patronization of Kristin in the form of the "pity" vote. It's kind of like this: a lot of people do great things in the name of their religion (charity, community service, etc). But even if they do these great things, they're doing it because their religion dictates that they should, not because they actually think it is the moral thing to do. If their religion is wrong, then the whole foundation for their actions is flawed. In the long run, I think that this trend of doing the right thing for the wrong reasons will be more hurtful than helpful, and we should first consider our reasons before following through with our actions.
You're fucking delusional.
Someone giving to charity to feel better about themselves (ie: doing something good for the wrong reasons) does infinitely more good than the person who buys themself a big screen TV. They might not be a better person for their actions, but who the fuck cares; the net good increased.
Would these people be any better people if they had voted for someone who was pretty? Would they be better people if they had voted for someone who was smart but ugly? Cause i am inclined to believe their motives behind voting someone homecoming queen have very little bearing on how good of a person someone is.
But the one person who is going to take alot away from this experience - alot of good from this experience, is the girl who won. Her life was made better because of the way the other students voted; isn't that a good thing? Who the fuck cares if their motives were superficial or genuine?
congratulations to all you geniuses who managed to figure out that the vote may have been a pity. wow, good for you!. you still seemed to have missed the big picture.
edit - if the girl was upset about the ordeal or had taken something bad away from this experience, you guys might have alot more ground. But the opposite is the case, isn't that a great thing?
|
On October 30 2008 01:36 himurakenshin wrote:
Hey I don't mean to be rude or insensitive or anything, but its an honest question. I remember in my highschool biology class my teacher told us that a defining characteristic of a species is that they all have the same number of chromosomes. Down Syndrome kids have 47 whereas all other humans are 46. Are they really humans then? Plus all organisms on earth have even numbers of chromosomes (pairs).
Your teacher wasn't very well informed then. The number of Chromosoms is certainly not enough to define a species. The definition itself is actually not so simple if you look closer at the problem so i wont go into it any further. But it is important to realize that the term "species" is an artificial classification invented by humans.
The second thing is that not all species have even chromosome numbers. The male Muntjak for example has seven chromosomes (2n = 7), four autosomes and three gonosomes (x,y,y).
The female Muntjak by the way has only six chromosomes but they still are the same species.
|
So she won becourse people pity her? Thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard. If i sign up for TSL and i my one finger is fucked in some way i shouldt win just becourse i try so hard. Its not about who tries the most its about whos the best, or in this case the prettiest
|
Well basically the same people are saying the same redunant things over and over. During my senior year of highschool(06) for homecoming instead of having the same hot homecoming bimbo. We went another route choosing a person that was a cute but not hot, a valedictorian, great personality, and just overall pretty chill when you took the chance to talk with them. She we thought she was the most deserving.
The standard of having the hottest girl /or most popular girl was just boring. I could use a better word but Im in Lab at the moment haha so im trying to type this up pretty quick now. Anywho congrats to this girl either way
[edit] Traditional is the word i was looking for. 
|
On October 30 2008 05:49 Kong John wrote:
So she won becourse people pity her? Thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard. If i sign up for TSL and i my one finger is fucked in some way i shouldt win just becourse i try so hard.Its not about who tries the most its about whos the best, or in this case the prettiest
says who?
it seems to me that every person who votes for their homecoming queen has an equal right to say what a homecoming queen is.
and this school made their choice.
G_G?
|
On October 29 2008 04:39 minus_human wrote:
Did she really want to be queen? Did she expressed this desire? I don't think so, and even if she did, it's basically a discrimination based upon her flaw, which actually puts her mental condition in an even stronger light.
On the other hand, it's not okay to just ignore someone suffering from Down synd. and pretend you never see them, because in most normal, objective circumstances they wouldn't stand a chance against normal people. That's an even worse discrimination.
Of course she wanted to become queen, why else would her name be on the ballot
But I like the summation of your post. You're basically saying "When I see retards on the street I don't stare, but I'm careful not to look away. See, because I want the retards to feel compfortable."
|
If you are used to people with Down Syndrome you won't pay them much special attention. A lot also depends on the rate of mental retardation. Some can work in a shop working a cash register. This is the high end of their functioning AFAIK.
|
Australia3818 Posts
It's never going to be for the reason of "she's an amazing girl who's been through so much" it's the same as including mixed ethnicities on advertisements - it's like "Yeah we accept you, here have this 'cause it shows we care."
Like giving an award to a kid in a wheelchair.
I would, if they could do mad tricks, then it'd be "you are a person in a wheel-chair who can do mad tricks." You'd be more impressed because they are in a wheelchair, but mainly you'd be evaluating them on their skills in the chair, and giving them an award accordingly.
I mean, when will the award for "Best Person with Downs Syndrome" be given out?
The true test, would be if there were 4-5 other people with Downs Syndrome at the prom, in fact that'd be awesome. Who would win? What basis would they have to win?
Also imagine if all the people at a school had Downs Syndrome except for one. Would they win the king/queen of the prom?
Interesting questions, troubled times...
|
On October 30 2008 11:43 Smurg wrote:
The true test, would be if there were 4-5 other people with Downs Syndrome at the prom, in fact that'd be awesome. Who would win? What basis would they have to win?
Also imagine if all the people at a school had Downs Syndrome except for one. Would they win the king/queen of the prom?
Interesting questions, troubled times...
LOL
|
how the hell is this even news?
This is even less important than the time I was watching a kid being interviewed because his bike got stolen
|
On October 30 2008 06:48 Mora wrote:Show nested quote +On October 30 2008 05:49 Kong John wrote:
So she won becourse people pity her? Thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard. If i sign up for TSL and i my one finger is fucked in some way i shouldt win just becourse i try so hard.Its not about who tries the most its about whos the best, or in this case the prettiest says who? it seems to me that every person who votes for their homecoming queen has an equal right to say what a homecoming queen is. and this school made their choice. G_G?
Sure thats true but you still shouldnt let someone win out of pity, this is an odd display of a person who has a malfunktion and gets shown becourse of it. You shouldnt show a person just becourse of their disability, but for who they are.
That said, she won the contest becourse she normally wouldnt have been able to and becourse of her inability they let her win. I think thats discriminating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
