The Way I See It

So, Starbucks has this program called "The Way I See It" which is "a collection of thoughts, opinions and expressions provided by notable figures" printed on the cups.

On the whole I find it to be an interesting program...and have even seen good friends of mine go to the trouble of saving their cups because they liked a particular quotation so much.

This was not the case of my reaction the other morning when I came upon the following:

The Way I See It #205

Many people search blindly for the "meaning of life." What they don't see to understand is that life does not have meaning through mere existence or acquisition or fun. The meaning of life is inherent in the connections we make to others through honor and obligation.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger

I definitely agree with much of the sentiment of this quotation. I think the meaning of life is in the connections we make to others--the relationships we make and the people, groups, places, and things that we make them with speak volumes about us and how we're living our lives. There is certainly an element of honor in any good relationship...but obligation? I don't think so! There is certainly responsibility and accountability involved in good relationships, but to me those things are vastly different from obligation.

But I have to say, as judgmental as it is, this quotation was ruin for me not only with the use of "obligation," but more so because it came from Dr. Laura Schlessinger. She's is far, far, far, far from being a friend to lgbt people.

It's true that this particular quotation wasn't homophobic, and that such quotations and conversations shouldn't only be with those that think exactly as we do. Intellectually, I know this. But emotionally, I don't care. I was disappointed that Starbucks would keep a quotation by her in circulation. Yeah, they've included the standard disclaimer "This is the author's opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks. To read more or respond, go to www.starbucks.com/wayiseeit." Still, there are so many other authors...so many other quotations that can be sparks for conversation starters, stimulating thought--why use hers?

I guess what I'm really angry about, too, is that under this same program, there was a lot of hullabaloo over another quotation:

The Way I See It #43

My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don't make that mistake yourself. Life's too damn short.

Armistead Maupin

However, unlike the outcry against Maupin's quotation, I've still to find any against the continuation against Schlessinger's quotation. Maybe I'm especially cranky because I've only seen pictures of Maupin's quotation, but Schlessinger's, I seem to have gotten all week long!

I don't want censorship--queers know how that's been used against us enough. I just want some balance!

What about you, what do you want?

If you want to sound off, you can give Starbucks feedback directly, as well as submit your own quotations, or just read what others have to say.