Ignorant, Bigoted People Piss Me Off
Just had to get that off my chest. I’ve noticed I have been pretty angry of late, and I’m not entirely sure why. I like the holidays. I miss hubby, but not to the point of anger. And constant frustration. Ugh. I hate feeling like this.
I wonder how much of it is due to things happening in the world of late that are just finally getting to me. Between the economical situation the country, or should I say the world, is going through. The political landscape is changing. I’m hoping for the better. I was hoping for the better. I didn’t count on hatred and bigotry being so wide spread.
Yes, I live in the south, so yes, I know it is there. Daily. In our faces. There. The kid down the street with parents teaching him hate. He tries to rebel, but it’s so ingrained as he says he isn’t, he is. The people in the grocery store who stare and change directions to avoid. The snide comments. The demeaning attitudes.
Damn, even my friend. How do you deal with that? I mean, I’ve told her not to forward me certain emails. I have Snoped most of the crazy emails she has sent. I have made my opinion clear. Especially as regards the most recent presidential election. I am thrilled with our President-Elect. I am hoping, though he is bringing in some old names, he will still bring the needed and necessary change for our country.
But because she didn’t vote for the President-Elect, because she was raised in the south and was not taught to be a tolerant person, does not mean she can or should forward such an offending piece of crap. That was beyond the mere political prattle normally forwarded. That was flat out racist, demeaning, embarrassing, and frankly completely and totally inappropriate.
I was so upset, I was actually speechless. For quite some time I’ve been speechless. I couldn’t even bring myself to bring it up to anyone as to how to address this. I mean, we’ve had enough differences and have been fine with them. But I think this time she really crossed the line.
It is too late for me to actually say something about this. I’ll have to just let this particular one go. But from now on, I will be deleting those emails and asking not to receive them. Because, yes, I could just delete them. But one could take the responsibility to not blanket forward every “joke” or other piece of crap received.
It’s the decent thing to do. Take others’ feelings into consideration.
Life lesson I’ve learned: Anytime someone starts a conversation with “I’m not racist, but…”
They’re racist.
bejewell~
You are so right. Thank you for the comment!
~Colleen
I’ve encountered so many similar reactions among people who should “know better” since the election. I’m also pleased with the outcome, but I find myself in a red state surrounded by many who don’t share my enthusiasm. I’m even related to some of them. And the part that really gets me is the assumption that everyone agrees with them, the inability to anticipate that someone (me) does not share their close-minded perspective. And as someone who was raised to be polite and respectful, I still struggle with that line between standing up for my beliefs while being respectful to those who deserve it. Not that all of them, mind you, show that they deserve my respect…