Summary

Carolyn Hastings reflects on a shoutout contest organized by Winston, exploring themes of inclusivity, discrimination, and the complexity of rules, ultimately concluding that true equality is elusive.

Abstract

The narrative poem by Carolyn Hastings delves into the dynamics of shoutouts and community recognition, exemplified by Winston's shoutout contest. The poem touches on the excitement and engagement these initiatives create among writers, yet it also sheds light on the inherent biases and discrimination present in society and reflected in the contest rules. Hastings uses the contest as a metaphor for life's unequal playing field, where rules favor some but not others. Despite the contest being closed, the poem serves as a reflection on the broader implications of such endeavors and the challenges of creating a level platform for all. The author acknowledges the impossibility of pleasing everyone and the existence of racial discrimination, while also expressing gratitude to those who inspired the poem.

Opinions

Winston's shoutout contest is seen as both a fun opportunity and a complex, potentially discriminatory, game due to its rules.
Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) is recognized as a champion of shoutouts and is deeply concerned about racial discrimination and societal rules that are not universally fair.
Mark Tulin's contributions on rule interpretation and self-reflection are valued, highlighting personal guidelines for living and the importance of perspective.
The poem suggests that life's rules are akin to a contest with convoluted regulations that favor some over others, reflecting real-world discrimination.
The author, Carolyn Hastings, decides not to participate in the contest, finding the rules too complicated and not aligned with her values.
The narrative acknowledges the difficulty in achieving equality and the inevitability of discrimination in selection processes, despite attempts to be inclusive.
Hastings expresses appreciation for the community and the individual contributions of Monoreena, Jenine, and others who played a part in the creation of the poem.
The piece concludes with a pragmatic acceptance of the imperfect nature of social systems and the impossibility of universal satisfaction.

Narrative Poem | Discrimination

Shoutout — Interpreting the Rules

You can’t please everyone

“More shoutouts,”

says Winston!

“It gets everyone’s attention!”

Winston loves a good shoutout He says it’s an absolute essential. “No shoutout? Hmmm, well, that’s too bad my pub shan’t be serving you. I’m the boss and they’re my rules; ain’t changing them for you!”

But wait! What’s that? I hear a distant shout Why, it’s Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) emerging from a rabbit hole she’s shouting like a champ! “Look what I’ve just found,” she calls “Someone’s long-forgotten tale! It’s still good. I’ll dust it off. I’ll fix its tag. I’ll bring it back to life. Come and see it for yourself, It’s posted over here.”

Lucy shouts out all the time, she has quite a reputation neural noodles in her brain, and food fueling her momentum She poses, prods and probes, she asks a billion questions but then again, some days she’s glum can’t hide her disappointment mankind can be mean ’n’ kindless bleeding racial discrimination “There are rules for one but not the other,” she cries, “why not all the same?” “I feel like I am not enough BIPOC aka pick on me.”

She reaches out to one she knows, asking Mark Tulin, to expound the theme: Interpretation of the rules “…coz, Mark,” she says, “this one really bothers me.”

Mark obliges with a self-reflection his poem, Signs from Within He speaks of ‘rules on how to live’ and ‘guideposts on my journey’, then he story-tags me into his and seeks my point-of-view

“Why thank you, Mark,” I do reply, “please give me thinking time. My thoughts are in a jumble but I’ll see what I can find.”

Meanwhile dear Monoreena, then Jenine, each of their own inclination (their words are here and here), provide the spark that ignites my writer’s kind of kindling — curiosity, coincidence a conspiratorial combination connecting dots that bring together me, Lucy, Mark and Winston!

It’s Winston’s shoutout movement that has my kind-kindling friends excited A shoutout contest no less writers pitching for Winston’s attention! “A contest, ooh that sounds fun,” says I, “I wonder if it’s one for me. I’ll go and check the rules…”

Rules!!

Connect the dots!

Rules need interpretation!

So in I go to find out more — What’s Winston on about? He has a grand idea it seems to bypass the biased algorithm He wants us all to be up there on a square level equal footing.

I read his words from end to end it’s a well thought out proposal I scan the rules there’s quite a few — to be honest, there’s a lot — by the end I’ve made up my mind it’s all too complicated the rules no doubt work for some but they’re not for me does that make it discrimination?

I think of Lucy and the BIPOC cause there’s no easy answer Life is a living game a contest with over-complicated rules, rules that work for some but not for others and, yes, it is discrimination. The plain and simple truth is this – there’s no such thing as equality the rules are skewed some say they’re screwed there’s no pleasing everyone.

Firstly, there’s no need to skip off right now and check out Winston’s shoutout contest because it’s already closed. The winner will be announced on December 18. Obviously, it won’t be me! 😜

For the record, I’m a shoutout fan. I practice it quite often, and will continue to do so.

Lucy is, however, in my most humble opinion, the shoutout champ. 🏆 ✨

Thank you to Lucy, Mark, Winston, Monoreena, and Jenine for the parts they each played in bringing this convoluted narrative poem into existence. I hyperlinked their relevant stories into the poem, but here they are again listed in order of appearance for your convenience.

While this is an unofficial entry to the contest, I’ve nevertheless picked over the rules and decided to follow Winston’s direction to tag a bunch of people. This group is made up of Coffee Times editors, Coffee Times top writers and other Coffee Times writers I’ve connected with since joining Medium. If you think I’m being discriminatory in my selection, then you are absolutely right. But what to do about it? You can’t please everyone — and there is the algorithm to consider. 😬

Many, many thanks to Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) for publishing this piece in her most excellent publication, The Brain is a Noodle. 🙏 ✨

Thank you all so very, very much for reading. 🙏 💕

👉 Subscribe to my email list and be the first to receive my latest Medium stories directly to your inbox.

👉 Use my affiliate referral link to become a Medium member and have unlimited access to every Medium story including mine.