For the last day some thoughts have been rattling around my head that I wanted to blog about but I don't know how well they'll come across & be received by you the reader. Here goes... If I lose readers from this then I'm sorry that you can't see another side of the coin & appreciate my thoughts & opinions.
Yesterday on my way to work I was listening to the inauguration on the radio when Reverend Lowery delivered the benediction. I was severely offended when he made this statement: "Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around -- (laughter) -- when yellow will be mellow -- (laughter) -- when the red man can get ahead, man -- (laughter) -- and when white will embrace what is right." When can we stop being a nation of "colors" and just be what we are AMERICANS.
What's even worse in my mind, is that when I finally arrived at work I felt like I couldn't talk to anyone about it for fear of upsetting someone. I then started to think about why I was fearful of calmly discussing my thoughts with anyone. You always hear there's two things you don't discuss at work or around people that don't know you well & that's politics and religion. This involved both of them & I was genuinely concerned to offend anyone.
Why?! For putting my thoughts out there & someone possibly blowing up about my opinion? Isn't that my right? I never did say anything until I got home then I discussed it with my father. It's sad that in this day and age people are worried about openly discussing their thoughts in the public with co-workers or whomever it may be for fear of offending someone.
While I was at work later I overheard a woman on the phone make a racist comment about the inauguration being so expensive. Her exact words were "Did you hear how much the inauguration cost? Of course it was he's black so he has to have the best."
WHAT? I just shook my head and walked off. I was blown away at her ignorance. I don't claim to know a whole lot about politics however I am fairly well informed. It was mainly so expensive due to 3 MILLION people showing up. Security was tight & they had a lot of outdoor booths & activities for them to participate in. I'd appreciate it if you'd actually know what you're talking about before you verbally vomit ignorance at me about politics. Unfortunately that seems to be the norm for people these days. They throw an ignorant statement or status out there without knowing the facts then they want to argue with you when you call them out.
As I'm contemplating things today I had a huge reality check which put a lot of things that's been going on in my life into perspective. I was at my local store when I ran into a friend I use to work with. She's one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met & beyond amazing. As we're talking she tells me she's being diagnosed with terminal stage 4 colon cancer. *Whammy* I started to cry. We talked a little more about how she's just trying to live every day to the fullest and spend as much time with her grand kids as possible. As I got into the car I started crying again & I explained to dad was had happened.
Just like that everything that's been annoying me & seem so "important" didn't seem that bad at all. Every now and again a good reality check is good for the soul. It makes you stop & re-evaluate what really matters in your life.
Ciao.
You should never worry about offending people with your beliefs. Unless of course you are pushing them on others. Not just discussing your thoughts and ideas on a subject. If they can't deal with the fact that not everyone believes the same things as they do then they are the ignorant ones. They aren't even worth talking to in my opinion.
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