Elephants
I have a confession to make.
Recently I discovered that I've been a completely insensitive jerk. It really makes me sad and sick to my stomach. I'm awake early right now because I feel like I can't lay back down without throwing up. The sad thing is, I got into this position by mentioning the elephant in the room.
I thought people knew me well enough to perceive my comments as what they were. Pure, innocent, benign, words.
- NEWS FLASH -
I am not Racist, I do not value you by your skin color. If your were purple and orange plaid, it would not affect how I talk to you, or treat you.
SO - When I make comment on someones color - such as - wondering aloud what shade or color this baby might be when she grows up; or trying to describe the dad I just saw - it is from a writers heart, simply characterizing the facts into words. IF I use the wrong words, please tell me. Don't stew about it for months and then bring it back up in front of new people to embarrass me with.
Very uncool.
When have you ever known me to be mean intentionally? How often do I set out to offend with my words? I thought you knew me. I guess I was wrong. Here I was, thinking we could be friends, that you knew how much I respect and admire you. Apparently you're too busy finding fault with my "lack of sensitivity" on a 150 year old issue to even hear the meaning behind the words.
I bring up segregation in conversation. Do not dare assume I only did so because you're black. Do not walk out because you think I'm trying to make a point about black vs. white. Stay and listen to what I'm saying, You'd realize my reason for bringing up this topic has very little to do with race, and everything to do with leaning from nursing outcomes that result in best practice.
Contrary to your belief - I do have friends from many different races. I could be a successful home worker - I do no expect strangers to know me like I thought you did. So much for my "safe environment."
I wish for two things.
1. Someone to grow a freaking set and tell me if what I've said has offended you. I will still be upset and sad, but I won't be angry at myself and you.
2. Stop assuming if I dare to bring up race or skin color that I am coming from a negative stand point just because I'm white. That makes you even more prejudiced than I supposedly am.
Don't you think, if I felt the way YOU think I do, that I would be smart enough to keep comments to myself? OR do you really think I'd be so stupid to risk my job like that?
I'm coming to an understanding now - What you say you want is tolerance and acceptance. What you really want is for us to treat race like the elephant in the room.
- NEWS FLASH - Tolerance and acceptance promote free and open communication without pre-judgment. So what just happened, and the opinion you have formed about me, maybe would have never happened, if that was what you really wanted. And maybe, just maybe, you would realize I'm a good-hearted person, with no malicious intent behind what I said.
Even though I'm White.
Recently I discovered that I've been a completely insensitive jerk. It really makes me sad and sick to my stomach. I'm awake early right now because I feel like I can't lay back down without throwing up. The sad thing is, I got into this position by mentioning the elephant in the room.
I thought people knew me well enough to perceive my comments as what they were. Pure, innocent, benign, words.
- NEWS FLASH -
I am not Racist, I do not value you by your skin color. If your were purple and orange plaid, it would not affect how I talk to you, or treat you.
SO - When I make comment on someones color - such as - wondering aloud what shade or color this baby might be when she grows up; or trying to describe the dad I just saw - it is from a writers heart, simply characterizing the facts into words. IF I use the wrong words, please tell me. Don't stew about it for months and then bring it back up in front of new people to embarrass me with.
Very uncool.
When have you ever known me to be mean intentionally? How often do I set out to offend with my words? I thought you knew me. I guess I was wrong. Here I was, thinking we could be friends, that you knew how much I respect and admire you. Apparently you're too busy finding fault with my "lack of sensitivity" on a 150 year old issue to even hear the meaning behind the words.
I bring up segregation in conversation. Do not dare assume I only did so because you're black. Do not walk out because you think I'm trying to make a point about black vs. white. Stay and listen to what I'm saying, You'd realize my reason for bringing up this topic has very little to do with race, and everything to do with leaning from nursing outcomes that result in best practice.
Contrary to your belief - I do have friends from many different races. I could be a successful home worker - I do no expect strangers to know me like I thought you did. So much for my "safe environment."
I wish for two things.
1. Someone to grow a freaking set and tell me if what I've said has offended you. I will still be upset and sad, but I won't be angry at myself and you.
2. Stop assuming if I dare to bring up race or skin color that I am coming from a negative stand point just because I'm white. That makes you even more prejudiced than I supposedly am.
Don't you think, if I felt the way YOU think I do, that I would be smart enough to keep comments to myself? OR do you really think I'd be so stupid to risk my job like that?
I'm coming to an understanding now - What you say you want is tolerance and acceptance. What you really want is for us to treat race like the elephant in the room.
- NEWS FLASH - Tolerance and acceptance promote free and open communication without pre-judgment. So what just happened, and the opinion you have formed about me, maybe would have never happened, if that was what you really wanted. And maybe, just maybe, you would realize I'm a good-hearted person, with no malicious intent behind what I said.
Even though I'm White.
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