Standing our ground has been a theme of this neighborhood for as long as it has been a neighborhood and even prior.
Since I’m on the topic, the very reason we celebrate this parade every March is because of the early Americans standing their ground against the British and forcing their evacuation from our city. Today the issue is much different, but still requires someone to take a stand. The ones standing their ground in this case is the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council.
After reading much of the negative press, as well as the negative comments surrounding the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council’s decision to pull the invitation on MassEquality to march in our parade, I am outraged! For starters, I have no direct affiliation or personal ties to this group. I am simply a proud young South Bostonian who embraces my neighborhood’s history, as well as its changing ways. As a neighborhood, South Boston has been the target of ridicule by many in the media. These agitators have resorted to the usual cheap shot tactics, trying to portray those who disagree with their stance as “old and out of touch” and “bigots” as well as many other names and adjectives. As this ongoing drama ensues in our local papers, internet blogs and elsewhere, it is easy to get sidetracked and misled. Though our town is becoming an epicenter of what can be personified as “cool” and “trendy” which in some aspects may be just that – it is important for us not to lose our values and principles for which have made our town so great to begin with. With that being said, I am proud of our parade organizers for standing their ground, yet again.
Note: I am not writing to necessarily to argue my viewpoint or to convince one who disagrees but rather to show my support for our parade and its organizers whom I feel have garnered much undeserved criticism.
Sincerely,
Ryan Long
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While I appreciate this guy’s honesty, It doesn’t quite highlight “values” and “principles” to restrict any population from participating in a community event. In fact, that’s in complete contrast to traditional Irish values. For a population that came to the US only to find “Irish need not apply” signs, not allowing any population to participate in St. Paddy’s events is disregarding the years of restrictions the Irish faced.
You’re wrong. MassEquality was extended an invitation to participate in the parade. They refused to follow the guidelines of the parade organizers. Isn’t there another gay group participating this year? Hmmmm?
Aside from the fact that this letter says NOTHING of substance, did he really just invoke “stand your ground”?? Not a great year for that…
Aside from the fact that this letter says NOTHING of substance, did he really just invoke “stand your ground”?? Not a great year for that…
“stand your ground”….poor choice of words…
As someone who knows Ryan personally, I commend his stand. Ryan is a young veteran himself, a great Dad to his son and a proud and active South Bostonian. And like many of his neighbors, he does not appreciate all the cheap shots coming from outside groups and is grateful for the courage shown by our Allied War Veterans in defense both of the South Boston community and our nation’s Constitution. Thank you Ryan for presenting this neigborhood’s position in such an articulate and heart felt way. And thank you also for your service to our country.
“refused to follow the guidelines” = have no mention that they’re gay.
The point is that the guidelines are antiquated and rooted in bigotry.
So sad I moved to Southie. I’ll be leaving next year. Keep your traditions. I am also very impressed with your youth beating up foreigners on the Red Line. Nice town.
So glad your leaving,why don’t you take all the other morons with you?
The author of this article sounds like a bigot and a liar. You have no desire to accept new values in this community but to merely BEAT your archaic values of bigotry and hate into a new and improved SoBo. You don’t deserve to walk in beautiful areas such as Broadway Village, Telegraph Hill or Farragut Avenue. Gentrification is the saving grace to this DUMP known as “Southie” and you should move to Confederate Georgia where your views belong.
The past couple of weeks the papers have printed letters from suburbanites, like Hingham and Belmont, commenting on how bigoted we all are
Hingham
98% white
One small affordable housing complex (not low income, affordable)
Flipped out over a commuter train coming through. Supposedly about the “character” of the town. State unfortunately spent millions appeasing them. We know what it was REALLY. About. People from Boston might come down and steal their TV and take the train back.
You think those of us who own property can’t move if we want? If we wanted to live in a all-white town and pretend to be open-minded, we would. We actually rub shoulders with poor people. Let me guess: you grew upon an all-white affluent suburb somewhere. If you want to see bigotry , look at your parents and look in the mirror.
And don’t let the door hit you on the way out, you smug, pious phony.
No, I think it does highlight values and principles. The Massequality supporters seem to love to say they are about values and principles until of course it coes to someone elses values and principles. It seems ironic to me that certain Groups who have blon their horns loudly over acceptance and respecting everyone’s views…..seem to in fact do exactly the opposite hen someone disagrees with them. Good job Mr. Long.
Yes, exactly. why on earth do you have to profess your sexuality at a St. Patricks day parade?
Guess what nobody cares that your gay on St Patricks day or ay other day. Ones sexuality is a small slice of what makes up a person and it need not be on display in our parade.
If you think so–all the more reason to simply not participate.