As of late, I've let myself become irritated by things that don't generally get me that pumped up. I was raised on tolerance, not acceptance. I believe that we should let others live their lives and we ours. I don't have to understand why people do the things they do. I certainly don't have to agree with it. I just have to respect that it's their right to do them. If it's not going to cause harm why should it matter right?
I really thought that we had come a long long way in our way of looking at things as a people. I figured that since my hometown is so racially diverse that others must be much the same way......Wrong!! Well evidently that's wrong. More and more people as of late are wanting to come out in defense of the poor minorities....Who exactly are these minorities we hear about? Mexican, Italian, Russian, Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, or maybe Korean.
I'm half Italian. My great grandparents came over on the boat and my grand parents were born here in the states. They were treated like dirt, as were most immigrants. They were looked at as less than real people in many cases. They didn't care, they went about their business and built something they could be proud of. They got together with other people that understood their language and they formed a little community and took to farming. Then they learned the language of the land and taught their children (my grandparents). They never let them forget where they came from though. They never let them forget what that country gave them before they came here. My grandparents taught my mom english at 5 years old because they didn't want her to have to struggle in school. Turns out that it wasn't a too uncommon occurance around here at the time. There were many Italian immigrants doing the same thing. Mom doesn't remember much Italian anymore, but she does remember how proud her parents were to see that she was able to communicate in English.
I see the same thing happening with Spanish. Many families realize that it's a head start to get their children speaking English. They speak it more often than their parents did when they first got here. The grandchildren are pretty much adapted to American life by the time they get to school in most cases that I see. Now of course there are some people that don't think they should have to learn the language, or the customs, and to them I say fine but don't expect too much sympathy from me. If I was to move to another country my first order of business would be to learn the language of the land so I could communicate.
As I ramble on about this I realize that is not my real point though. The real point of all this is pretty simple. It doesn't matter if you came from Cuba, or Portugal, or China, or Japan. That has no bearing on you as a person. You still have hopes, dreams, ambitions, goals, and you can still be happy or sad and yes you can still get your feelings hurt. So why is it that people want to judge any of us on our skin tone, or on our accent? Why the hell does it matter if I say yellow instead of hello? In my community I hear the word Si as much as yes. I understand it, it's not a big deal. I also understand that Buenos Dias or Buenos Tardes is easy enough to respond to just like hello or good afternoon. That has become part of our culture in California.
I am more irritated by the need for us to guage everything by what race somebody is. I am a human...Not Black, not Hispanic, not Mediterranean. HUMAN...We are the same, but as my son has pointed out to me some of us have a better tan. Let's try and get to know somebody before we pass judgement on them. Let's try and have some dialogue before we automatically assume somebody means us harm.
The census has really shown me how little we have learned in 234 years as a country. We holler and gripe about equality and then we want to split up the people so we can see if there is yet another way to divide up the pie and show that one group or another gets less. My town is 30% "white" and 61% "hispanic". Does that mean a whole lot? Not to me it doesn't. It means that we have better Mexican food than a lot of other communitites that's for sure. It also means that I get the chance to learn a little something about Mexican culture that I might not know, and it also means that somebody else might get to learn a little something about an italian culture that they didn't know.
Let's try talking to each other before we start judging each other by our last names and skin tone. Let's watch our kids playing with other kids from different backgrounds with no more expectations than to have a playmate for the afternoon. Maybe we could learn how to finally treat each other with some level of respect.
Black, White, Brown, Yellow...Why does it matter at all?
17 comments
Thank you...I'm glad I'm not the only one wondering why this matters....
Amen!
Bravo! I say create your own box and check it HUMAN. =)
It really doesn't matter one bit. I went to school not knowing one word of English (and as the only child of ethnicity in the entire school). And although it made me stronger, I could never really understand why they would hate me just because my heritage was different to theirs x
As you know, the politicians just want to know which ethnic group they should be sucking up to.
Don't make me take this post and repost it as well! :)
lol...you should just put my button on your page :)
I never understood the whole importance of what race we are. I think if we get right down to it we are all a blend of many races. All of us. Lisa Kudrow has a new show called "Who do you think you are?" and it really shows how much this is true.
I am a human. Plain and simple.
great post again Bendigo!
I was wondering what triggered that post, but from what I gather, it has something to do with a census..? I have to admit that you made me laugh when you said halfway through the post that this wasn't your point ;) I was like "So??Don't stop!"
I agree with everything you said. We're all basically the same, but with cultural differences that make the world a lot less boring.
It shouldn't matter at all. I applaud anyone who thinks outside the lines of color. After all we are one big crayon box of colors. The more there is the better the rainbow.
Great post Bendigo! Seriously..... There's really no reason to discriminate against anybody in this day and age.... You should get this published....
My long assed comment on your health care post was supposed to have gone here... don't ask me how I got confused but I did... I really think I'm losing it!
lol@kristy....that just means we get to hear from you twice :)
I agree with you 100% Bendigo. At the risk of sounding blase about it all, I think the whole issue is (at least it should be) a NON-issue. When I look at someone, I don't think, huh, that person is brown. Or WOW! I am speaking to a black person!
I do not think I have ever seen colours when it comes to human beings. Just human beings. So really, people need to get over it and focus on something more worthwhile.
It doesn't matter!
And Kitty...I can't imagine why ANYONE would hate you.
Absolutely spot on, as always, Bendigo.
Post a Comment
Some stuff about me
- Bendigo
- I'm a 40something Father of 3 boys. I've been married for 15 years and I'm an avid sports fan. Dodger, Cowboys, Lakers FTW!!
My Blog List
-
-
Printable Free Disney Coloring Pages / Disney Coloring Pages Free Printable - *Printable Free Disney Coloring Pages / Disney Coloring Pages Free Printable*. While this is a perfect activity for children to do at home, kids can wor...3 years ago
-
Post Malone 2019 - Back in October, my sister and I went to see Post Malone aka Baby Daddy. I'm sure he would love that. It was such an awesome show, like, probably the bes...4 years ago
-
We have moved. - We have moved. By this, I mean-me, myself, and I. So, if you feel inclined, please join me over there.The connecting link is at the bottom. Yes, I am leavi...5 years ago
-
Where in the heck have I been? - I've received several inquiries about my lengthy absence, and figured I should at least offer up an explanation. The short answer is that I've spent the ma...6 years ago
-
MY OTHER BLOG: SURVIVING TRUMP TWO MINUTES AT A TIME - TRUMP AND DESANTIS - THE ORGAN GRINDER AND THE MONKEY www.survivingtrumptwominutesatatime.blogspot.com6 years ago
-
Let’s Talk About Virtual Reality Gaming - So let’s talk about virtual reality gaming, what was suppose to be the big, hot thing in 2017. What happened? Phones came with them, developers came up, an...7 years ago
-
"Heartlight" Neil Diamond's ode to E.T. - Yeah, *Goonies* and *Gremlins *were awesome Spielberg movies. However, true followers of my blog know that E.T. is my favorite childhood movie of all t...8 years ago
-
Lets Rant Some More - I'll gladly admit I have been an ultra pro life person ever since I can remember and have always abhorred the sick abortion cult. Now we have these Plan...9 years ago
-
Tangerine (2015) Volledige HD - Full Movie Tangerine Movie Streaming. Download Tangerine Movie Streaming with duration 88 Min and released on 2015-01-25 with MPAA rating is 1. - *Ori...9 years ago
-
-
Seeing our History: Edinburgh's Register of the Outdoor Blind - Over the last few months I have been helping as a LHSA volunteer on the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland project ‘Seeing our Histo...10 years ago
-
Baby, Baby - Dear Son, I know it's very hard for you to see your wife not feeling well, but know that what she's going through is completely normal. Her hormones are goi...10 years ago
-
Tasty Treats - Those who read this blog regularly know cooking and baking are hobbies and a stress-reliever when I have the time to indulge in it. Last week I tested a r...10 years ago
-
Updates and things... - It's been forever, FOREVER...well, not forever, literally....but, a very loooong time since I've written anything. Before I'm crucified (as if there's any...10 years ago
-
Strike-On-Lid Match Jar - What a great idea to keep in your 72-hr kit, your vehicle, or with your camping gear. I think I'll keep a couple in my house so when the power goes out, wh...11 years ago
-
No More Late Delivery with Professional Writing Service Help - Nowadays, people should not worry about assignments that they get from their teachers since there are many kinds of help that you can get out there. If bef...11 years ago
-
Your lesson from Steubenville - By now you've all heard about the Steubenville, OH rape trial and probably about the ensuing controversy over the media's coverage of the verdict. If you d...11 years ago
-
WE HAVE NEW LOCATION - WE'RE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW LOCATION! Visit us at CoachDayne.com11 years ago
-
-
Third time's the Charm - In two weeks my ex-husband will be getting remarried. It is his second engagement in the last year. One year; two engagements. Also both times he had known...11 years ago
-
-
-
-
Release Day! MAKING STORY: TWENTY-ONE WRITERS ON HOW THEY PLOT - It's release day for MAKING STORY! This collection of essays from twenty-one writers on how we plot is the first in a series of writing books that will a...12 years ago
-
Hello? Is there anybody out there? - *cough* *cough* Waves hands through cobwebs and clears dust.... Testing 1, 2, 3......is thing on? Can you hear me? Don't adjust your volumes or get scar...12 years ago
-
A Promise You Wish Was Not Kept - Seems like I am always getting caught up in hurricanes or disasters, well this story kinda deals with both. You don't have to live on the coast to feel th...12 years ago
-
Come See Me...I Miss You! - I've been blogging in different places for the last two years or so...but I haven't been able to build up the readers that I had here at Apple Juice & Milk...12 years ago
-
I fail at FIFA 12 because I play like a footballer, and not like a gamer - I'm a huge football fan. I spend much of my free time watching whatever match I can find on TV, and a good portion of my gaming time is spent with EA's F...12 years ago
-
333 - Moving on - I'm moving to a new blog. It's going to chronicle our adventures in mobile living... I've only written one post at this point, and I probably won't become ...12 years ago
-
Occupy THIS - After not posting anything for exactly one year, I have to jump in here because these 'Occupy Wall Street' jokers have just flabbergasted me with their sub...12 years ago
-
Halloween Reading - Thought I'd brush aside some cobwebs on the blog and post this video of me reading for a horror/flash fiction-themed edition of *There Will Be Words*. --...13 years ago
-
Ingenuity... - So I have not written much in a while but I was awe-struck by the ferry boats and the airplanes which surround me on my little island world. The cars, truc...13 years ago
-
-
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. - I, the bringer of positive thinking (or I at least attempt to), have fallen under hard times once more. I have been drowning in depression and hopelessne...13 years ago
-
Why, hello! - First off, let me all wish you a very Happy New Year! I wish you and your families health, success, love, and everything you wish for. I have to admit that...13 years ago
-
Pet Faces - This weeks theme over at I Heart Faces is Pet Faces! I decided to Submit one I took of my cousins horse because Horses are my all time favorite animal! Ch...13 years ago
-
Sleep Has No Property - The rain had washed the city down; the setting sun sparkled and shined on the buildings. Ellen walked with her head down only occasionally glancin...14 years ago
-
The Answer (4 of 8) - Hairdresser texted me after work. The note was a winner - we're going out this weekend...14 years ago
-
An Epiphone from Inside the Abyss - For most of the day I allowed it to consume me. Not because I wanted to, but it was like an unseen blackness swallowing me inch by inch. I think I f...14 years ago
-
7 Days of toys.. Day 2. The Bendy Cowboy - I can't tell you much about this guy except that he's a 30 something year old bendy figure, and that my mom bought it for me during a road trip at a Stuc...14 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Categories
- 10 truths
- 6th grade camp
- abuse
- america
- apocalypse
- apology
- Authors
- award
- awards
- bad driving
- Baseball
- beach
- bigotry
- blog
- Blog of the Week
- blogs
- Books
- Bowling
- boys
- brother
- California
- camp
- certification
- child support
- childhood
- Choices
- choir
- Christmas
- co-workers
- coaching
- commercials
- common sense
- community
- complaining
- content
- counselor
- country
- credit cards
- crowded
- customer service
- Dad
- daily dose
- death
- debate
- debit cards
- dinner
- disgust
- Disneyland
- divorce
- dollar tree
- doubt
- dreams
- driving
- drunk
- economy
- embarrassing moments
- equality
- Faith
- Family
- family pet
- favorites
- fears
- fighting
- final approach
- focus
- food
- forecast
- freebies
- friends
- frustration
- future
- gay marriage
- gift
- goals
- good blogs
- graduation
- grandfather
- Grateful
- Growing Up
- Halloween
- healthcare
- hectic
- Hero
- heroes
- Holiday
- home remedies
- home town
- impatience
- Insomnia
- inspiration
- Irritation
- kids
- kindness
- leader
- learning
- license
- Life
- life lesson
- life lessons
- link
- link up
- Literary Hero
- little league
- loss
- Manners
- marriage
- Meaning of Christmas
- meeting
- memorial
- Memorial Day
- memories
- Military
- Military birthday
- mishaps
- Mission
- mmorpg
- Mom
- monday minute
- monkey
- monkey minute
- moods
- Mother's Day
- movies
- moving
- music
- my life
- nervous
- obligation
- old days
- online gaming
- optimism
- parenting
- parties
- patience
- peace
- pedestrians
- phobias
- Pics
- poliitics
- politicians
- pop
- Pride
- Programming
- puppy dogs
- Quest
- racism
- rainbows
- rant
- reading
- recognition
- reflection
- regrets
- remembering
- respect
- road construction
- Rut
- Santa Barbara
- Sarah
- scars
- school
- Sci-Fi
- science
- sick
- sickness
- Society
- softball
- son
- Sports
- sportsmanship
- summer
- surgery
- teaching
- thankful
- Thanksgiving
- tolerance
- tragedy
- travel
- TV
- update
- vacation
- values
- video games
- volunteer
- wargames
- water crisis
- Work
- workshop
- Writing
- YAY
- youth
Followers
Lucky
FEEDJIT Live Traffic Map
Archives
-
▼
2010
(103)
-
▼
March
(21)
- Stepping Up to the Soap Box Again!
- The Goal at Hand
- Linkin' up the Monday Minute!
- Award for Me! :)
- Jose Cuervo you are a friend of mine!
- Why Does it Matter?
- It's All About the License
- Brother-In-Law and 6th grade camp
- Monday Minute...Link it Up!!
- A Country Divided
- It's All About the Writer in Making!
- Your Inspiration
- Take Heart Manny
- Brother-in-Law
- Got Values??
- Small Town U.S.A.
- Due Diligence...or Just OCD
- My Literary Hero
- Gazing into the Crystal Ball
- Pride, Ego and Shame
- Santa Barbara Cont (with pics)
-
▼
March
(21)