I have been trying to write a post on prejudice for quite some time now. Words flow, but they are disjointed because I get too annoyed. So I erase and start over. I let it sit a few days and then circle back to it. I tried leading with the definitions of prejudice (noun and verb), racism, ignorance, sexism. Then I’d get annoyed and need to start over again.
A post by my friend RML made me realize I don’t really need to write a post on prejudice. The words and ideas are all already out there. They have been for a long, long time. Her wonderful post referenced "To Kill a Mockingbird", Huck Finn, Shakespeare and more. The lessons are there to be learned! Why do so many ignore them? What does hate accomplish?
My favorite part of her post was the explanation of prejudice she received as a small child from her mom. It was perfect. It ended with, "intelligent people don't ignore something like prejudice - they fight it". I love that. If you think you might ever need to explain prejudice to a little one, visit her post and read the whole thing.
I failed at writing a post about prejudice, but I do have a story. I hope RML will allow me to write a guest post about the night I confronted my racist/homophobic brother-in-law about his attitude and comments. If you knew what a jerk he is and how calm I usually am...well, I'll just say that when I shared the story with my uncle, it made him so happy and he laughed so hard that I was afraid he was going to keel over. Please visit RML's blog and encourage her to let me tell the story.
GUEST POST, GUEST POST, GUEST POST!!! =)
PS - Happy {belated} Birthday, Bekah!!!
i love this --> "intelligent people don't ignore something like prejudice - they fight it."
ReplyDeletei was fortunate to grow up and be raised by an open minded strong female. i didn't even realize how much hate was out there until i learned it from other people.
it makes me very sad that it exists today, but i have faith in human kind. intelligence will overcome hate. it may take some time though...
guest post! guest post! guest post!
ReplyDeleteoh wait, it doesnt work this way?
oh man!!!
=P
That quote seriously just went up on my facebook. That's a really great quote, and I had to share it.
ReplyDeleteAnd like 'bananas." said (don't know her name, lol) she was fortunate enough to group up with open-minded people in her life. Same here. And like her, I didn't realize how much hate and prejudice was out there until I got older and was surrounded by people who were narrow minded. It sickens me to her people who are just so awful and just... Ugh!
I could go on and on, just like I'm sure you could too, but I don't want to get upset :p
&RYC - He didn't get a cake (because I didn't even have a cake pan >__< hahah) But he has gotten some REALLY good dinners ;D
Oh and btw, I actually just bought a cake pan along with a cupcake pan yesterday, so maybe next time I see him he'll get a special treat ;) haha
The word 'multiracial' slips out of everyone's mouth so easily here in my country but underlying this hypocritical facade, prejudice is rampant! It's everywhere ... in school, at work, in politics, at the shop, at the eatery ... it's just so hard to ignore.
ReplyDeleteRYC:
ReplyDeleteYes, Ricky's rule!! ^__^
& omg, I couldn't even imagine being one of those girls with entitlement issues! Gosh I've dated guys like that, and gross! It makes them such ugly people, thinking that they're like God's gift to the world *rolls eyes* Lol
Wows I visited RML's post and read the story of her mom's lesson about judging people based on arbitrary factors of skin color, height, and hair color.. and my favorite quote is also that intelligent people do not ignore prejudice but instead fight it. I believe in that also :) although it's not in the same terrains.. I also choose to fight for animals who are severely abused because they are not of the human species. It's great that you built little houses for strays as a kid, it really shows the kind person you are! I also don't blame your dad.. I understand the role psychology plays in everything :\ Thank you for blessing me with your comments!
ReplyDeletePrejudice is a sad reality, I also wonder about this rick - "What does hate accomplish?" Can't we all just respect one another and live positively? I'm still hoping. :)
ReplyDeleteIm sure RML would love to have you on her blog as a guest! GUEST POST GUEST POST! :P
I read the link you left, and wow, that is a very good lesson her mom imparted on her. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books and I even used a review I made about it to a competition we had in the university. I also got a DVD of the movie months ago but sadly I haven't seen it yet. I know I must one of these days! :) I hope RML lets you write the guest post :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll get a guest post!!
ReplyDeleteAwww Rick, you'll make me blush! And I'm sure my mom would blush too, if she knew she's being quoted like this! =)
ReplyDeleteI was indeed very lucky to grow up with open-minded parents, and I just hope I'll be able to do the same for my own children.
Rick, pfffft, please. Do you even have to ASK permission to write a guest post?! You're blog-family! ;)
We all wanna read your story!!!!!!!
GUEST POST, GUEST POST, GUEST POST!!!
ReplyDelete(I didn't get to watch Sherlock Holmes b/c 1) my Tivo can't seem to find it and 2) I don't know what channel PBS is. =\ Will try to Hulu it!)
GUEST POST GUEST POST!!! I wanna hear about it!! You always have such great stories, Rick :) I can think of several stories too but we'll save those for another day... it makes me sad to think that there are still some people today who even have the GUTS to say and do such racial and demeaning things :( I'm happy I was raised with the morals i have today... i would definitely want my kids raised the same way.
ReplyDeleteUghhh I can't deal with narrow-minded prejudiced people.
ReplyDeleteoh, you make me laugh. i shall click on RML's linky right now : )
ReplyDelete