Someone Else's Shoes

Shoes—mine, yours. I'm probably not comfortable wearing your shoes. The instep isn't quite right and they may be too wide. My shoes hurt your toes and slip off your heel.

Several days ago the question of pornography and photos came up because a blogger's photos were deemed pornographic. Her blog, no longer public, was only made available to friends.

After she sent a message to friends and others, many people responded—either to her, in a post, or in a forum.

I don't want to get involved in a controversy of what constitutes pornography and what constitutes censorship. No doubt there are numerous cogent arguments—each way.

I've had no quarrel with people who vociferously argue that the photos are acceptable and no argument with those who say that they don't want to see photos that push the edge of what they see as pornography on the photoblog site.

My discomfort happened when people veered from the simple discussion to one that began to broaden into other areas—to criticism beyond the boundaries of the topic.

Let's not let our rhetoric spill out into general criticisms of people, cultures —

I once taught in a school where the fifth grade teacher was known for her penchant for expanding her criticism beyond the initial affront. If a student handed in a paper that looked as if it had spent some time being squished in a pocket, she started with that as unacceptable and then went on, " ...and your shoes are untied, your pencil isn't sharpened, and when did you last wash your hands?"

As for my own feelings—contact me and I'll tell you where I stand. This post isn't about my particular viewpoint.