Sunday, September 30, 2007

Everyone has a prejudiced thought

I covered a sort of People's Power--small-town Antioch-style, with about 350 people in attendance. What struck me was the diversity of our community that I was not really aware of until now.

Jewish, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, were only some of the religious organizations that came out to show support for the recent "hate-crimes" in the county. The Muslim mosque was burned down and vandalized, an African-American family's home was ransacked and a deaf man was attacked.

It was poignant to see the community get together in support. Many walked side-by-side, making new friends, expanding their horizons. Many have said, "An attack of one faith is an attack of all faiths." Check out the article here and don't forget to check out the slide show. Photos by my friend , Richard Wisdom.

Tolerating diversity is one thing. But truly ridding our hearts of prejudice is another.



I remember getting into the way of a road rager. He called me a "dumb ass." I shouted back "pig" because he was fat. (But my husband is well, kinda overweight). And that lady in the grocery store, who scolded me, without even asking for an explanation. When I tried to explain, she told me "talk to the hand." I called her "Ugly" among other things in Tagalog and challenged her to take the fight outside in the parking lot. And the gay person who put me down so he could take the credit at work? Well, you can imagine what I called him. . .And yet, one of my closest friends is gay.

And I realized, we all have our own prejudices. Really, we do. Search deep down and you will find it--appearance, weight, race, religion, adoption, second wives, sexual preference, intellectual capacity, and even employment status can be used against you.



So I'm thinking, getting along with the diverse people in America is still a veneer. From the outside, we are polite, tolerant, even kind. But when they step on our rights or insult us, don't we fight back with racist or prejudiced comments all at once?

Senator Tom Torlakson was right when, at the rally, he said, we are taught these prejudices. We have to show our children to treat each other equally, with respect and love.

Even when they put you down or insult you. . .

Sign up anonymously and tell me your prejudices.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.louboutinmall.co.uk/]cheap christian louboutin[/url] Traditionally, there has been little contact between Canada's French and English literature. [url=http://www.vanesabrunosacparis.fr/]vanessa bruno cuir[/url] Dqawcwzeo [url=http://www.oakleysunglassessforcheap.com/]oakley sunglass sale[/url]
zgoklg 734409 http://www.oakleyssunglassessoutlet.com/ 471735 [url=http://www.cheapsoakleysunglassess.com/]oakley sunglass[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.christianlouboutintosale.co.uk]christian louboutin[/url] continues to be an issue in the 1960s however. [url=http://www.vanesabrunosacparis.fr/]boutiques vanessa bruno[/url] Sqewasucd http://www.oakleysunglassessforcheap.com
pmxlkq 612499 [url=http://www.oakleyssunglassessoutlet.com/]oakley sunglass[/url] 519183 [url=http://www.cheapsoakleysunglassess.com/]sunglass oakley[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.christianlouboutintosale.co.uk]christian louboutin outlet uk[/url] Each week a members number will be drawn, and if you have paid $2.00 you will receive half of the amount in for that week. [url=http://www.vanesabrunosacparis.fr/]Sac vanessa bruno[/url] Cvsomadjg [url=http://www.oakleysunglassessforcheap.com/]oakley sunglass sale[/url]
gtubij 659509 [url=http://www.oakleyssunglassessoutlet.com/]oakley sunglass bag[/url] 552477 [url=http://www.cheapsoakleysunglassess.com/]oakley sunglass outlet[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.christianlouboutintosale.co.uk]christian louboutin uk[/url] You can usually find a couple of their nifty buildings along with some carefully detailed vehicles on ebay. [url=http://www.vanesabrunosacparis.fr/]boutiques vanessa bruno[/url] Ywhsctcbx [url=http://www.oakleysunglassessforcheap.com/]oakley sunglass sale[/url]
pizgyl 492316 [url=http://www.oakleyssunglassessoutlet.com/]oakley sunglass sale[/url] 350945 [url=http://www.cheapsoakleysunglassess.com/]oakley sunglass bag[/url]