Tag: racism

Strange Animal

On By NB GwenIn The JourneyLeave a comment

“Humanity, I’m sure I do not have to tell Your Grace, is a strange animal.” ― Kady Cross, The Girl in the Steel Corset

I’ve noticed my last few post have a bit of a theme…people are strange.

We tell women to be strong, equal, take control of your life! BUT only if it doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s needs.

We tell me that they need to be more compassionate, allow their emotions to show, be softer, sweeter. BUT only if they are still full of machismo and testosterone to get that job done and support everyone.

We tell children to be strong, independent – GROW UP! BUT don’t walk beyond the sidewalk, don’t talk to strangers, don’t go out. Stay safe, stay bubble wrapped (metaphorically speaking).

We tell the old how much we care. BUT we leave them to rot and be abused in elder care. We’re too busy we say, too busy making money to keep the house to feed the children to keep the cars to keep up appearances.

We tell people of other cultures how accepting we are, how caring, how much we want to make a change in the world. BUT only if you aren’t gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, gender fluid, African, Asian, Indian, Native American, African American, Hindu, Muslim, Shiite, Jewish, – any faith other than Christian, any colour other than white, any language but English – shall I continue?

I’m fed up with people keeping up appearances.

Keeping up appearances
It’ll never do
to allow them to wander
freedom
what would you do?

keeping up appearances
make that lawn look great!
clip and clean
shine and glean
freedom
what would you do?

keeping up appearances
2 1/2 children
seen and not heard
perfect kitchen, perfect house
perfect
freedom
What would you do?

Keeping up appearances
keeping in line
follow the rules
don’t step on that lawn!
freedom
What would you do?

Keeping up appearances
why?
Are you happy now?
Take that pill
put on a smile
freedom
what would you do?

keeping up appearances
make a grand farewell
a rotting corpse dressed to kill
tears flowing
memories rusted
appearances fall away
freedom
what did you do?

People are so strange.

Gowan – Strange Animal

Lessons in tolerance

On By NB GwenIn The JourneyLeave a comment

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ― Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

Last night, one of my son’s friends posted something on Facebook, well, more than something. I put friends in italics because this boy is no longer a friend. He crossed a line. At 14 years old, he has decided that posting racist, inflammatory and hate filed remarks were funny. Yes, I said he thought he was being FUNNY. He also posted pornographic images (think women spread eagle and close up and men’s penises). Yes, he thought he was being funny.

I reported him. I told his mother.

I’m going to caveat this with saying that I am not a prude. I have NO issue with public breastfeeding (in fact, I still nurse my youngest at 17 months), I have NO issue with adults doing as they wish so long as it harms no others. I DO have an problem with a 14 year old boy thinking this type of behavior is ok. It’s not. A – he’s underage, so who knows where he got those pictures from to begin with. B – he’s going to get himself hurt. He has/had people on his FB that are of different cultures and they were PISSED. Who can blame them? C – he is going to regret his actions later in life as he has no idea that this stuff STAYS THERE FOREVER. Even if you delete, FB has it saved in their servers. YIKES!

As I said, my son is NOT friends with this boy anymore. I have raised my children to be respectful and tolerant. We are human, we err. BUT we do NOT insult or threatening or demean anyone – I don’t care what colour you are, I don’t care what your orientation, gender, sex preference, what ever – you don’t do something to someone else that you wouldn’t want done to you.

The boy needs a lesson in tolerance, respect, and so much more. After last night, I’m afraid he won’t or if he does, it will be an extremely hard lesson.

Remember – love each other. We have one world, one planet, and we are stuck here with each other – learn to deal with it, embrace it.