The Big Picture: Magneto Was Right

[V TheSystem V]

I was bullied throughout primary school (elementary school to America) and comprehensive school (high school to America), and it made me more confident and more proud of what I am (a nerd) rather than hate myself. I would side with Magneto if the entire human race hated what I was, but if it was a minority that hated me for what I was, I'd side with Xavier.

 

[munkymp3]

That's my favorite Incredibles quote (and one of the things that made it my favorite film). It's ingrained my brain. Love it.

To be completely, honest, I'd be with Professor X but respect Magneto. For one thing, Xavier would never try to get other mutants (another way of saying "people like me") killed. Also, if I were to compare my political and environmental activism today, it would definitely translate the same way as it does for Professor X. Plus, I don't think militant strategies will gain you much popularity.

 

[AuspexAO]

"A bully relies on their superior physicality to intimidate and exersize control over those who can't defend themselves"

You're so wrong. I'm a big dude (not fat, big) 6'3" in high school and more than able to palm someone's face like a basketball if I wanted to. However, I was ruthlessly bullied. Not by people hitting me or throwing me into a locker or whatever, but by people throwing food at me anonymously in the cafeteria and other such sniping attacks. They knew I could beat them physically, but I was a straight A student and didn't want to get in trouble be making a scene in the lunch room.

I was always told to be civil and stay out of trouble, to be helpful and compassionate. I had lots of friends and the respect of my teachers, but I definitely got bullied for it. Bullies are generally weak-minded cowards that merely attack people who won't fight back.

Whose side would I join? The X-men, of course, mainly because people who do terrible things are a small part of this world. We only remember them because they stand out in our lives for being cruel and hateful. The majority of people are decent folk and I couldn't stand by while they were hurt to pay back crimes they didn't even commit.

 

[MB202]

Here's the part that always gets to me, though:

The standard response, of course, is "Because you're different." Now, is it just me, or did that ever strike anyone else as a particularly stupid sentiment? EVERYONE is DIFFERENT! Hell, I could personally attest that my bullies came in all shapes, sizes, and colors! It was a veritable rainbow coalition of torment!

That's SO true, the whole "because you're different" mindset does NOTHING to justify this kind of treatment, ESPECIALLY since we were taught this sort of thing back in preschool!

That said, I'm a lover, not a fighter, and I don't feel the need to get "revenge" on the ones who have bullied me. I mean, don't get me wrong, if you push me, I WILL retaliate, only to immediately regret it seconds later. Because, you know, I was angry, and I wasn't thinking straight. Violence should NOT be the answer, which is why I'm so pissed off that this sort of thing is STILL happening!

Also, there's a documentary coming out about bullying March 30:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjjeHeAzZZM

And there's a petition to drop the rating down to a PG-13 instead of an R, so it can reach a wider audience:

http://www.change.org/petitions/mpaa-dont-let-the-bullies-win-give-bully-a-pg-13-instead-of-an-r-rating

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

I've always known I'd be on Magneto's side, without a doubt. There is just no end to the stupidity evident in humanity's prejudice against mutants that I would be reluctant to throw down with humans even if Magneto's team didn't exist. There's not even anything really sick or abnormal about his methods; he's very clear about what he intends to do and he follows through with it. My biggest fear would be having a stupid mutation that wasn't of any use to the cause.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

It's a bit of a step to the side, but I'm just pleased the MPAA did the right thing in dropping the rating for the movie. It's not a gratuitous smutty comedy or gory horror flick, it's uncomfortable viewing because it has to be. I'm fine with them cutting a few swear words, it doesn't bother me, and tbh if you hear a beep, you end up hearing 'fuck' in your head any way. In the end a few bleeped profanities is a small price to pay to get it past the censors to a wider audience.

I've seen another documentary,'This Film is not yet Rated' and it showed just how mysterious and closed the ratings system is in the US, normally accountable to no-one, so this is a good thing. That's an interesting watch too, showing how they will up the age rating on a movie if they dare to show a woman gaining any pleasure from sex, but male enjoyment is just fine. Unless it's the gays then you may as well just take the highest rating now.

 

[Alar]

Personally I don't know what side I'd be on. I'd probably be neutral of the whole affair, simply because I don't like Magneto's plan for dominating the world and tormenting people who may have had nothing to do with the discrimination and bullying, and because I don't think I'd be willing to stand up for those people either. I would rather just live my live with my kickass new superpowers, hurting or hindering people as I see fit.

I'm probably Neutral Good.

 

[wearesoneutralthatithurts]

the nice team. i have started to hurt myself 14 jears ago because i realized that hurting other people instead makes me none better then them, actually i felt worse. so all the self hurting shit was because i had and have now to cope with situations, so self inflicted because of my uttermost stupid behaviour, some inflicted on me because some people thought it would be fun to do so.

i don't think that paying it back is good-you know too much conflicts exist because of that and most victims will become culprit sometimes-often observed in cases of domestic violence. after i hit so hard with a stone that she was very bloody facewise (i was too jung to get "real" problems for that, i was 11.
i started to ask me "what does it solve" nothing. and i feld even worse because there was the pain that was done to me and the pain that i did to other people-and ask yourself- how often its the case that the actual perp gets payback and how often someone much weaker gets it?
often the weaker person because we can feel the superiority and feel not so "might-less"(or non mighty?eh, whatever. its too late*yawn*) anymore-and we become the people we disgust.

i never wanted that. so i startet this emo-shit-cuting and all the other not very good coping strategies-but they work thats the problem. and, jeah, everybody is special. i am too-because i talk way to much and often understand people not-and i dont want it either (well since 4 jears i have bo friend. no going out, no onlinegaming, nothing. and its okay i think. but this seems bo send negative "vibes" to other ppl. and i read that ppl with my "conditions" have a higher chance to become the victim of bullying anyway.

but it is how it is (or how ever ist in englich: "es ist wie es ist"-> "it cant helped" maybe.

 

[Ancient-Hunter]

At least you're honest.

 

[lukesparow]

That ending when you put the Magneto helm on was priceless.