Life is truly 360 degrees. I have come to this same conclusion once AGAIN regarding this journey called Life; People(s) irrespective of their ethnic or cultural backgrounds (but especially people who have been oppressed, or people who have been maligned in society) can be overly sentimental regarding "much to do about nothing". Life is too, short to sweat the small stuff so therefore we have to keep it (Life) movin' into 2011!
People are sensitive to slights. Nobody wants to feel disrespected or devalued.
The problem comes when these slights and disrespects are more imagined than real.
Who can judge whether the hurt feelings or sentimental or actual? If someone has an issue--that means it is important to that person. It may be trivial to somebody else. That is what causes misunderstandings and even wars!
Somehow, I don't feel qualified to say.
Tough call. I guess it requres sensitivity on all sides.
Sorry Brother Rich, I must have been making some edits of the posts while you were commenting but I think its pretty much the same meaning as you first read. I think you are as qualified as anyone to speak on this blog, because you are a Teacher by profession and have experienced and interacted with multicultural gps in the classroom.
Moreover, your observations as an educator of the interactions between gps of students are valid here as well as they may be insightful to us. What you have said has in my opinion 'hit the nail on its head'... [People are sensitive to slights. Nobody wants to feel disrespected or devalued. The problem comes when these slights and disrespects are more imagined than real.]
We shouldn't take ourselves so seriously, but try to understand where others might be coming from or perhaps attempt to see things from someone else's eyes. This is what I think. To bring the point home... I had a White colleauge who often said "off the cuff" things which she really meant no harm (is what I came to realize after observing her and interacting with her after a while).
At that hospital, we had a big problem with our Emergency Departmentand some people had died in the ER while waiting for admissions so it was all over the local newspapers and news media. Two of the people who died were Indian. In the middle of the discussion with our Indian colleague present and listening, this colleague said, "Well he was going to die anyway!" I just took a breath to see if our Indian colleague was going to react. Thankfully she didn't, but had that been an African American patient and that had been said---- HOLY SMOKE!!
You know, Jen, I agree with your point. Many people say things without thinking. They shoot off their mouths without considering the effect of their words. Most of the time, they don't even mean what they say--and they don't realize how hurtful their words are.
As Dr. King said, would you be angry at a blind person for bumping into you?
"We shouldn't take ourselves so seriously, but try to understand where others might be coming from or perhaps attempt to see things from someone else's eyes. This is what I think."
Take me for instance. In view of the fact that 41 million Black Americans are descendents of slaves, would you say that I am being over sensitive because I am looking forward to Black Americans inheriting the best portion of this continent that we could call our very own country with borders to worship God, pursue life, liberty, happiness and prosperity in our own way?
Are you saying that because I believe Black Americans should and must have our own religion LIFE as opposed to other people's religion such as Christianity and Islam I am being oversensitive?
Lastly, do you believe that Moses was oversensitive to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage and slavery in Egypt? Do you believe that the children of Israel should have kept life moving as it was in Egypt and forget about their Promised Land? Do you believe that Dr. King marching in Salem was oversensitive and that he could have stayed home and avoided the dog bites and jail? Do you believe that the Freedom Riders and the three men that were murdered trying to register Black voters the Freedom Riders were being oversensitive?
Do you believe that Gandhi was being oversensitive because he wanted the British out of India and complete independence of the people of India be restored?
[...but we still try to make life better and better for each coming generatons of those who have been and still are oppressed. (smile)]
I hear you on this especially since you lived through those oppressive times. What else can I add to what you've said except Thank You and all the other Civil Rights Leaders for paving the way for me. (((hugs)))
Wednesday, December 29th 2010 at 1:39AM
Jen Fad
Oppressed?
the negro"FreeMan" took as his way of life----paganChristianity in 1865---eventhough paganChristianity 1492-1864 was Not That Great an Era for the africanKidnapped.
You are correct jenFad, my inspiration, Much to do about NOTHING.
If I CHOOSE an Evil, I cannot claim that the Evil Put me in Jail, or destroyed my Family, or sent me on the road to HellFire.
Yes oppressed would be the right word, and it is our goal as sista’s in the struggle to make life better for those to come afterwards. Yes and Sista Jen is correct and you should also give reverence to people like sista Irma for her participation and guidance in the struggle, just like you give Elijah Muhammad reveence for guiding what you believe the true religion Sunni Orthodox Islam. The negro has been oppressed for hundreds of years and your ill fated belief that they had choice in the matter is a lie.
Wednesday, December 29th 2010 at 1:11PM
anita moore
Jen here's a great preception of life that I keep.. "You can only take one second, one, minute, one hour and one day at a time. So live as such as that mentioned... and do what you can that is good following and keeping God's word. I strongly believe this makes you appreciate God's gift to give life and your own gift to thank him.
Wednesday, December 29th 2010 at 1:48PM
MIISRAEL Bride
@ Bro. Rob, I feel that in this day, we all have choices and we must all be accountable for the choices we make. No one can force us now, because slavery ended over for some 400+ years ago. Although I know how you feel about the late Bob Marley, but cab we agree that his music was revolutionary for oppressed people all over the world (and not limited to those in Jamaica). Many must still free themselves from 'Mental Slavery'. Although the playing field might not be as leveled as it should be, we cannot deny the fact that 'the Door of Opportunity' has been opened and its up to each individual to walk through it.
@ Sister Anita, I will always pay my respect to the Elders/Ancestors who Opened Doors for me.
@ Sister Miisrael, Living life one day at a time is the only way I know how to live now... and in doing so... has made life more worth living because as Forrest Gump stated, "Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're going to get."
Let me try and set a few of you all straight, okay.
@Irma-- you said this, " Well in sticking with my belief in we are all individuals..."I" take such pride as an African-American that we have not only survived OPPRESSIONS,"
Firstly, you believe that Black Americans survived oppression as if though oppression was intended to destroy Black Americans. You are stupid. Since Black Americans were the human property of White Americans as farm animals were do you think that we survived oppression on our own? Of course not! In other words, what sense would it make for White Americans to buy slaves and then destroy them? White Americans wanted Black Americans a life as much as Black Americans naturally wanted to stay alive. Stop being stupid and think a little bit, okay. So, the word survives needs to be eliminated because it gives the wrong impression and misleading.
Next, you say that we are all individuals. Individuals can not get anything done and that is why God said to be fruitful and multiply. The keyword is multiply, dummy.
@Anita-- you said this, " The negro has been oppressed for hundreds of years and your ill fated belief that they had choice in the matter is a lie." Robert is stupid. You are absolutely correct! Ignorant people such as Black Americans cannot make choices. Black America's ability to make effective choices was taken away when we were process into being good and obedient slaves. Today we are slaves of a different kind then our ancestors were. Our ancestors were plantation slaves. People that are obedient to the will and wishes of another people certainly cannot make choices. When you are obedient you cannot make a choice.
@Ms. Shields. Ms. Shields is plumb out of her mind. She is a perfect example of what an obedient slave is.
@Ms. Jen-- you said this, “No one can force us now, because slavery ended over for some 400+ years ago." We are being forced to do the things we do now while we think we are making choices. That is how superior slavery is. However, this type of slavery happened in the history of mankind, but not as severe as ours is. The Hebrew children underwent a type of slavery as ours. It took God to bring them out, am I right. Likewise, God will do no less for us, Black Americans. I am telling you this because I know just as Moses knew the Exodus was a done deal.
You are very ignorant to think that when slavery ended everything was all right. No, not at all. Plantation slavery ended, but the scars of slavery are very evident in Black Americans today. No Black American life is worth living if we are not as one people loving each other, advancing in life, have our own country and the universe to explore. For you to say something like that is evident that you bear the scars of slavery. Am I right or am I wrong?
Tell me what you think?
Wednesday, December 29th 2010 at 5:58PM
Harry Watley
@ Brother Harry, No comment as it will only lead to more of the same of your soapbox...
Wednesday, December 29th 2010 at 7:50PM
Jen Fad
... I'm seriously thinking about deleting you..... This is my blog and I don't think you should be calling "the Mastress of the Blog" ignorant. Please refrain from such adjectives or I'll be forced to delete vs. block your comments. Thank you for your support.
Wednesday, December 29th 2010 at 7:52PM
Jen Fad
@Harry!!!! 2011 is a new year knucklehead!! get yo mind rite!!!
Wednesday, December 29th 2010 at 8:25PM
Cynthia Merrill Artis
My Lady!!! I've snagged up a doctor... He is keeping me in check!! LOL Im going to be back in full effect...
Thursday, December 30th 2010 at 10:50AM
Cynthia Merrill Artis
@ Sister Cynthia, ((Lol)) I ain't mad at you!!
Thursday, December 30th 2010 at 10:59AM
Jen Fad
Sister Jen, I think your response to Robert perfect. Harry's ramblings are funny while breezing through them.
Thursday, December 30th 2010 at 11:04AM
Steve Williams
yes jenFad you are my inspiration and I can see robertMarley
"No, woman, no cry No, woman, no cry No, woman, no cry No, woman, no cry
Said said Said I remember when we used to sit In the government yard in Trenchtown Obama, ob-serving the hypocrites"
but you are not inspiring my Memory of History("slavery ended over for some 400+ years ago.)
Lincoln did his thing in 1864-65---
146 years, 2 month, 14 days, 6 hours and 22 seconds ago.
the negroFree one, took european slaverAmerican love and the example of paganChristianity 146 years, 2 month, 14 days, 6 hours and 23 SECONDS ago.
irma, and I can just about remember that time; we couldnt read or have internet, but we have a great Oral Tradition.
since then, africanKidnapped has been responsible and NOT our dear American Governance.
and yes Irma, the siebraTrifling Filthy mouth is Responsible for polluting solomon abdurRahmaans blags.........
Well in sticking with my belief in we are all individuals..."I" take such pride as an African-American that we have not only survived OPPRESSIONS, but we still try to make life better and better for each coming generatons of those who have been and still are oppressed. (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
@powell, are you saying that Siebra is no longer a bad influance / Christanity because we are the ones to be held responsiable for what we do and not what Siebra does?(smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
@Doc...have you ever heard thesse words before, "NOW THAT I KNOW YOU ARE ALRIGHT, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU"!!!!...good to see you, missy, at long last. lol (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
