Well that last comment on the apartheid in America made me think of a story which I tell about certain underlying resentment/racism which exists in some parts of the US which (as far as I've ever seen) does not exist in the UK...other parts of Europe may be different. As I get used to the way the Czechs talk about "gypsies" I realise that different PC standards apply!
So, I was visiting Arizona and we'd driven up to Utah. On the way back we stopped at a bar in Winslow. My (American, female, white) companion and I got talking to a couple at the bar - retired but not older than, say, 70.
The woman had never heard an English accent in real life before but (apart from a couple of smutty remarks the man made - ex truck driver, what did I expect) I was truly blown away by what happened next.
A black man of about my own age walked a few paces along the bar to ask me for a cigarette. I gave him one, as I would with almost any one who asked me (unless it was my last one...!) He thanked me and returned to his seat at which point ex-trucker turned to me and said "You shouldn't have done that".
Now, I'm well aware of the health risks of smoking but I didn't expect...and my train of thought was interrupted by the next comment:
"I've got nothing against them, we should each own three of them."
I considered the merits of taking this as a challenge and then realised that it was pointless and could become painful. I merely pointed out:
"I have a different view and I don't want to discuss it now."
I know that it's an extreme and that most Americans have no similar views but it really opened my eyes to the depths of racism which still exist in some parts. The man made no attempt to laugh it off as a joke or turn it down. He was calling it as he saw it.
....calm down before continuing....
I've been fascinated by this thread. As someone who's been on and off a2k (and before that abuzz) for some time, it's interesting to see that the same fascinating debates take place here.
It's also fascinating to see that the detractors (you know who that is on this thread) are still pitching in with one-liners which make them seem (at best) mentally pubescent.
I took the purpose of the original post as being an insight into "the other view". I remember that I worked with a client about 10 years ago and at the end of the project the teams from my firm and the client company went out for an evening bowling.
One woman had to wear special supports for her feet - something I'd not even noticed to that point. She wasn't able to use the bowling shoes provided, so had to sit out while the rest of us played. It made me think strongly about exclusion on grounds of disability...I felt sad that she had to miss out but I was well aware at the same time that much greater losses were being suffered elsewhere by others.
To comment on your feelings is absolutely your right, Beautiful Goddess, and I'm glad you did so in order to open up this thread.
From small realisations, larger lessons can be learned.
It's good to be back here.
KP
