Re: A Cowardly Conversation Starter

Bravo, BRAVO girl. And WELCOME to TH.

You have expressed a great deal of common sense and you do see the world as it is, and as it should be. I've always thought that true acceptance of ANYTHING had to include an indifference to the differences. I mean that its obvious the new $20 dollar bills look a lot different than the old ones. But, it doesn't matter to me what $20s look like at all. Their worth is all I see as relevant. I am indifferent about the difference. The same is true for people. We are ALL different, except some twins I've seen, and even THAT made no difference to my feelings for them. People are good, friendly, interesting, or not. You either feel a bond with someone you get to know, or you don't.

After all, 95% of us are really just varying shades of brown. Or maybe pink... Matters not.

Again, welcome.

Glenn Flowers

You're right about being indifferent to the differences. We don't get along with others because we are mindful of their race or their cultural practices. We just meet them where they are and move from there. We all really are different, including twins.

How about 100% of us are varying shades of that built-in sunblock? I'm SPF 250...and you?

What really bothers me quite a bit about the whole black vs white thing (and yes, black is first because they are typically the ones starting things) is the fact that blacks are still looking for some kind of apology. As is being able to sit anywhere on the bus isn't enough, being able to vote isn't enough, having all opportunities available isn't enough, even having a black man run for office (and win) isn't enough. I can't say that I deserve to have every white person I come across to give me some sort of apology or "reparations" for things that their ancestors may or may not have taken part in. That's like my children being sent to jail because their great great great great great grandfather stole a chicken from the neighbor's yard. (I'm sorry, but that's the best analogy I could come up with at this time).

I think as far advanced as we would like to think ourselves to be, race shouldn't even be an issue. We should be thinking about which flying car we want to make the standard option next year.

I'll go for the various factors of sunblock. I'm probably a 2 or 4. Red haired, fair, PALE skin, freckles, etc. I agree with the flying car sentiment also. After all, they promised it to us near fifty years ago. And I've never mistreated anyone, man or animal, and don't owe anyone an apology as far as I know.

If we could, as a people, get over the feeling that we NEED to talk about it, or DO something about race, if we all felt comfortable when laughing at ourselves with others, we could all just get along. After all, we are ALL Americans. That should trump any perceived differences.

We ALL need to adopt the policy of Glenn and Monique. "You're black (white)? Sorry, I didn't notice."



Glad you're here and writing. Keep it up.

Glenn