It’s been a week with a lot of challenges. I’ve felt less than 100% physically, dealt with some challenging client issues, and in the last few days have been increasingly aware of gross generalizing statements by people I thought knew better.
The first was made in reference to a new doctor: “As long as he’s not a raghead. I won’t ever go to one of them!”
SRSLY? I was stunned. All I could do was roll my eyes. My perfect response welled up immediately in my mind: “Well, as long as he’s not a fuckin Polack…” (the person I’m quoting is Polish). Sadly, (or, maybe not) it remained unsaid.
The next was overheard in the grocery checkout line: “Those Orientals are just so vicious- I don’t like them.” I once spent three months in Japan as an exchange student and found nothing but kindness and hospitality. My response: “Yeah, it was completely non-vicious to murder a quarter of a million people at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” I said that one out loud and got the satisfaction of blushes from the “offend”ers.
Then, a post on Bilerico disparaged all Mormons as hateful, freedom hating people.
Now, my maternal grandfather was Mormon and I have Mormon relatives. They are, for the most part, kind and loving people who accept me and show me the same respect non-Mormon relatives do. I often don’t understand their faith, but I think it’s completely inappropriate to attack their beliefs. Fair game, however, is practice and policy- especially regarding funding of Prop 8 in California. Bad move, but not on the part of the everyday Mormon….
Which groups of people do I generalize about? Great question. I’m determined to pay closer attention to that, because it’s a lazy behavior I don’t want to be guilty of, at all. It’s a cheap way to artificially inflate self-esteem and position, and I don’t like it- especially when, much of the time, it’s completely untrue.
Oh, and the title? Irony intended.
From Eternity To Here 
People are so…frightened of the other
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My Mama tried very hard to teach me to be tolerant, not prejudiced. She grew up in the 40’s and 50’s. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s. Her efforts were successful beyond her wildest dreams! “Beyond her wildest dreams” is where the nightmares start. Poor woman, she tries so hard. When I dated a Black guy in high school she tried not to freak out. When my husband (not a Black man) and I adopted two Black children, she tried to love and accept them. She’s done an admirable job, considering where she came from.
I recently heard her saying vile disparaging things about the Hispanic population. She feels no compunction about that. It stabbed me in the heart just a little.
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Stereotyping and Scapegoating are so prevalent. All those gays, blacks, orientals, etc., etc. With a large influx of Latinos in our area, they are the new group to blame it on around here.
I think some folk are mystified by (my) coming out because we are a “group” who could (sort of) hide in plain sight. Don’t ask, don’t tell (in life, not just the military) works well for all those typical sorts – because it’s not their life we’re talking about.
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Hey very nice blog!!….I’m an instant fan, I have bookmarked you and I’ll be checking back on a regular….See ya
Robert Shumake
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