Schisms Between Facts + Isms + Phobias

Newsletter + On This Day

MAN VS. MAN = GOOD FOR LITERATURE + BAD FOR LIVING

In the past week, I’ve been accused of all kinds of isms and phobias by strangers on the internet in response to my montages on YouTube.

In case you don’t know my work, the montages feature photos I find on the internet set to licensed or public domain music.

I rarely add any commentary or narration, so it’s wild to me how often people bring their own agendas, assumptions, dramas, and issues into the comments section.

While I rarely respond—other than to block, delete, and/or report—I thought it might be a good idea to clarify where I stand on these various issues. Plus, it’s a chance to point out how unhinged “keyboard warriors” can be these days.

First, a quick snapshot of who I am and how I see myself (in no particular order):

• EARLY-FIFTIES

• WHITE

• CISGENDER MALE

• SINGLE

• GAY + GRAYSEXUAL

• CREATOR + CURATOR

Now, let’s get into the alleged isms and phobias…and my perspective on them:

• ABLEISM
  What it means: Discrimination based on actual or perceived disabilities.
  How I see it: I believe that one’s unique abilities, limitations, and/or needs don’t have to limit anyone’s potential. That said, society can make it harder for those with challenges to access the same opportunities. In real life, I do my best to cheer on any and everyone. But when it comes to photography—especially vintage photography—there are fewer images of those with visible disabilities. When I find them, I share them.

• AGEISM
  What it means: Discrimination based on actual or perceived age.
  How I see it: Ageism cuts both ways: Younger people are often dismissed as “too green” while older folks are brushed off as “past their prime.” Reducing people to stereotypes based on age is shortsighted. While my montages feature more younger men—based on audience feedback and image availability—I do regularly feature older subjects.

• ANTISEMITISM
  What it means: Discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish identity.
  How I see it: Growing up in the south, I didn’t know anyone Jewish. In my 20s, I met and became friends with several Jewish folks. I fell in love with the culture, food, and history they shared with me. Except gefilte fish—not my thing. Neither are unfounded, untrue allegations of antisemitism.

• CLASSISM + ELITISM
  What it means: Discrimination based on actual or perceived social class and economic status.
  How I see it: I grew up being judged by my lower-middle-class accent, attire, family, and neighborhood. My montages intentionally feature a motley mix of men in an effort to show personal worth isn’t tied to such bullshit.

• FATPHOBIA
  What it means: An intense, irrational bias or fear of people who are overweight.
  How I see it: I’ve been fat since well before bears became a thing. As a thick bitch, I know what it’s like to be judged, rejected, and/or shamed due to my XXL+ curves and dimensions. Whether it shows up as comments about my health or recommendations to lose weight, I’ve been there, and done that. So don’t poke the bear. Unless you’re into bears. And I’m in the mood to be poked. Which is rare.

• GYNOPHOBIA
  What it means: An intense, irrational fear or dislike of women.
  How I see it: As a gay man, some people assume I don’t like and love women. This couldn’t be further from the truth—I deeply appreciate and respect the women in my life. I may feature male subjects more—due to the focus of my content—but don’t get it twisted: I love ladies too.

• HOMOPHOBIA
  What it means: A dislike or prejudice against gay people.
  How I see it: As an openly gay man, homophobia is something I’m more than a little familiar with. So I laugh out loud when I’m accused of it. Dislike some gay guys? Sure. People are people. Dislike a whole group. Nope. Never.

• LIBERALISM
  What it means: A philosophy based on individual rights, liberty, equality, and political equality.
  How I see it: I lean liberal, especially on social issues. But how liberal? It depends. While I support individual freedoms and equality, I also know labels oversimplify complex beliefs and discourage civil, reasonable discussions.

• PLAGIARISM
  What it means: Taking someone else’s work and passing it off as one’s own.
  How I see it: All found photos in my work are used under fair use provisions of the Copyright Act of 1976. All music and songs are licensed through a music library, Creative Commons, or are in the public domain. I do my best to cite and give credit wherever it’s due whenever possible.

• RACISM
  What it means: Discrimination based on race, or the belief that one race is superior to others.
  How I see it: Racism is real and harmful, and I’m committed to representing racial diversity in my work. I do my best to celebrate different backgrounds through the stories and images I curate, being mindful of historical context and seeking out images that represent all walks of life. That said, I would like to do even better to show more diversity. For a variety of reasons, most vintage photo collections are made of white subjects, so finding people of color does require extra effort. But I think representation is important, so I do what I can when I can.

• TRANSPHOBIA
  What it means: Dislike or prejudice against transgender people.
  How I see it: I’m fully supportive of trans rights and believe in the importance of inclusion and respect for everyone. I curate my work with care, striving to make my content a space that welcomes people of all gender identities.

• XENOPHOBIA
  What it means: Dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
  How I see it: As someone who celebrates diversity, I reject xenophobia. My work intentionally brings together images and stories from different cultures, because art and history aren’t limited by borders—they belong to everyone.

With popular culture so full of accusations, drama, and labels, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly defines a person—their actions and humanity.

I’m far from perfect, but it seems too many are too quick to assign isms and phobias to others, reducing them to caricatures of “good” or “bad,” “friend” or “foe,” based on assumptions and snap judgments. Yet if we strip away these labels and look a little deeper, we can start to see people as individuals, each with their own story, shaped by unique beliefs and experiences.

We’re all works in progress and deserve to be seen and valued for who we truly are. Free to choose our own labels. Or none at all.

Personally, I try to meet people where they are and see them as they are, through the lens of their actions and deeds—not just their sometimes inaccurate words.

I try. But…I’m only human.

Thanks for reading,
Clint

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NEWS + VIEWS

• Rachel Maddow Interviews Yulia Navalnaya (MSNBC) 📺

• What George Carlin Might Say About Trump (TYT Sports) 📺

• George Carlin = Parental Advisory (1990 Comedy Album) 🎤

• WordPress vs. WP Engine: Why The Feud Matters (BBC)

• Lily Allen OnlyFans Feet Pictures Make More Money Than Spotify (Variety)

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ON THIS DAY = OCTOBER 26

BIRTHDAYS

• 1874 = Abby Aldrich Rockefeller = American philanthropist and MoMA founder

• 1911 = Mahalia Jackson = American singer

• 1914 = Jackie Coogan = American actor

• 1945 = Jaclyn Smith = American actor

• 1946 = Holly Woodlawn = Puerto Rican actor and author

• 1954 = James Pickens Jr. = American actor

• 1956 = Rita Wilson = American actor

• 1961 = Dylan McDermott = American actor

• 1962 = Cary Elwes = English actor

• 1963 = Tom Cavanagh = Canadian actor

• 1967 = Keith Urban = Australian-American singer-songwriter

• 1971 = Anthony Rapp = American actor and singer

CELEBRATIONS

• LGBTQ History Month

• National Chicken Fried Steak Day

EVENTS

• 1955 = The Village Voice is founded.

• 1970 = “Your Song,” by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, is released.

• 1973 = Mark Segal, the leader of an activist group called The Gay Raiders, interrupts "The Today Show" and is arrested for attempting to protest the stereotypical portrayals of gay people on NBC.

• 1981 = “Under Pressure,” by Queen and David Bowie, is released.

• 1982 = St. Elsewhere premieres on NBC.

• 1984 = The Terminator is released in theaters.

• 1990 = After appearing in drag at an AIDS benefit and kissing another man, a U.S. Colonel was discharged and sentenced to 90 days in Leavenworth. This occurred before both the implementation and repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

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PHOTO + QUOTE OF THE DAY

ANTHONY RAPP IN SCHOOL TIES (1992)

“Labels are for cans, not people.”
Anthony Rapp