Well said, Ken. And it really helped me see you, as an individual with life experiences so different from my own. I grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Very white. Very Scandinavian and Italian in heritage. Yet we got along. I liked to think of myself as not racist. But going to a big ten university, and then moving to other areas showed me that maybe I wasn't so perfect. My brother enlisted in the Army pre Desert Shield as a tanker. Then he got deployed to take part of Shield and Storm. He learned to not regard skin color or race, for the reasons you state. Getting out was eye-opening at times. Higher ups at a southern mill telling him to be careful, as he was seen hanging out with some black guys on his shift. Getting looked down on as a wind turbine crane operator for helping out and socializing with the hired Hispanic guys while working out West. But he tells me that one of his best holiday meals away from home was when invited to dinner by one of Hispanic guys. My brother said almost no one spoke English, and he doesn't speak Spanish, but a great time was had and fantastic food was eaten!
And I lost the point of where I was going! Anyway, your post serves to challenge me regarding my interactions with others. I just want to be real, and not worry about being triggered or triggering anyone else. It is finding the line between real communication versus being offensive because you disagree with the other's (perceived by you) state of being.
And I lost the point of where I was going! Anyway, your post serves to challenge me regarding my interactions with others. I just want to be real, and not worry about being triggered or triggering anyone else. It is finding the line between real communication versus being offensive because you disagree with the other's (perceived by you) state of being.
- Eric
Put your message in a modem,
And throw it in the Cyber Sea
--Rush, "Virtuality"
Overloader of brushes, Overlander fanboy, Schickhead, and a GEM in the rough!
Put your message in a modem,
And throw it in the Cyber Sea
--Rush, "Virtuality"
Overloader of brushes, Overlander fanboy, Schickhead, and a GEM in the rough!