The Poseur: one who pretends to be something that he or she is not. Often times in their “posing,” they are so much into acting the way they are “supposed” to that they reek of phoniness and give themselves away before anyone else can reveal their act.
Now I’m not one to throw stones. I have skeletons in my closet, flaws in my finish, etc. My house is made of glass, and my bowel movements smell. That being said, I feel the need to reflect on this group that lately seems so prevalent.
Sure, they have been around for a while, sprinkled throughout my journey, shedding a tear at an opera they care nothing about, wearing rubber-band bracelets more for the color coordination than the cause, and, dare I say, smearing an unsupported opinion like that of Glenn Beck on that news channel that dare not speak its name.
The seasoning seems to be becoming the season, however. I don’t know if it’s the spring flowers, showers, or whatever, but I keep seeing them more and more, and the likes of the genuine are becoming the minority.
Let me give you an example. You go to a hotel, you dress up in a tux, you eat some food disguised as gourmet, buy some silent auction items, and you go home content that you have taken a stand against an injustice, a denial of people’s rights.
So, yeah. Whatever — not everyone can be Harvey Milk. But here’s the rub. If lobbyists then succeed in getting a bill on the ballot that strips the same people of the rights you dined and donated to protect a few months back, where are you? Sure you’ll kick the water cooler, but is the poseur gonna take a stand? I think not.
What about when it comes time for Pride? It’s a celebration of those brave souls who took a stand on a street corner in New York and said, “No more!” Will the poseurs be there among the common gays who may talk with a sibilant “s” or wear glitter and heels? I think not.
So what’s the big deal? You may say, “To each his own,” or “People can express themselves however they see fit.” OK, sure. I see your point. But I feel that it goes a little deeper than that.
It’s like this health-care reform bill. The teabaggers don’t like welfare. They hate it. They hate giving people “something for nothing,” as they like to say. Why? A disconnect. They aren’t in the fray. They don’t know what it’s like. If you haven’t experienced something, how will you ever know what it’s like? Will you care about marriage rights if you would never marry in the first place because of the circle you choose to be a part of?
We have to understand each other or we will never be one. We don’t have to do everything together, but why pose? Come on down! While you’re there dancing with Brent or Brenda, rocking a pair of Christian Louboutins, who knows?
You might just like dropping the act.
