I have been indirectly inspired by my friend 'Rain to pay attention to life with a slightly different ear, and to see things with a slightly different eye. Is there really as much racism in this world as she has been noticing?
Of course me being me, I needed to start at the beginning, so I looked up the definition of racism. Don't get me wrong, I *know* what racism is, but how specifically is it defined?
American Heritage Dictionary defines is as:
rac·ism (rā'sĭz'əm) n.
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
So based on this definition, in order to be a racist person to make a racist comment, there needs to be at least an air of superiority involved, and typically something derogatory. A racist person/comment would restrict someone from something because of their race, or at least want to.
Point #1 - Sometimes a comment is just a comment...
Not all seemingly racist comments are in fact racist. You make an observation about something, and say it out loud... The observation is an instinctual reaction to something, and based on experiences, either learned first hand, or taught by elders (parents, teachers, etc) you come to some conclusion.
Often these comments and conclusions are deemed as racist, and I feel its because we are tuned into it. I understand the need to be aware, and I certainly agree with methods for prevention; however, I sometimes wonder if it is possible to be "too" aware. Can't a comment just be that?
One should also look at it from the perspective of the comment itself and how it relates to the definition of racism. If the comment is not in any way an implication of superiority, then it doesn't necessarily fit the definition of a racial comment. Is it possible that the comment was made for another purpose? Do we even bother to take the time to reflect on that side of it anymore? Why are we so quick to assume a potentially benign comment is anything but?
Point #2 - Sometimes a person is just a person...
Not all all the people making racial comments are racist. Sometimes people just don't even know they are making a racial comment. See point number one - sometimes they just learn things and assume that those are the way things are. Maybe its racist behavior, but how much can one be held responsible for their ignorance? If you have only ever known things to be one way, and something different comes along, its natural to make an observation of it.
Its not a whole lot different from observing abnormal weather, like a balmy +18 c sunny January day, in Canada - its not expected, and its all people talk about! (Just like the significant below average temperatures we are having lately). Is the only difference that the weather doesn't hear our comments and therefore has no potential to be insulted, or worse, by them?
I certainly agree there are a lot of racist people out there making racist comments, on purpose. People who most definitely know better and cannot fake any ignorance. However, sometimes you are racist by mistake almost. You are educated and you go into the world with that education, assessing the world with these standards...
Again, look at the definition. Can you be sure this person is implying some superiority? If this person is a complete stranger, its probably hard to tell, however, my mom used to tell me to give people benefit of the doubt (easier said than done, I know). But if you know this person, you probably already have an idea where they stand.
There is so much more I could say. I think its important to have racial awareness. I do not accept racism, I do not think we should stand for it. I am in no way trying to indicate otherwise. In fashion that has become typical for me, I just have a desire to present another way of looking at things.
Its easy to make assumptions, and in this day and age, in the culture and society we live in, especially in North America, its too easy to err on the side of caution, or worse - to assume the worst! I wonder how much of that has to do what we project of ourselves into the assumptions... If we took a close look at ourselves, is it possible our own ideals are affecting our observances of others - um YES, hello?!? we are human, and that is one of our flaws, the inability to be completely objective (see flaw #2 from this post).
I challenge this - the next time you (or I) hear something that we assume is a racial comment, ask if its possible its something else. I did this with a comment I overheard recently, and in all honesty, I consider it to be completely harmless.
And, whether its racist or not... have we forgotten to look at any situation as an opportunity? I guess because its late and this post is already long enough, that I will save the rest of that thought for another post!
a comment overheard... now what could it mean?
nhl draft
I am faithfully keeping up with the latest reports from the 2008 NHL drafts, but I am not entirely sure what it all means! Oh well, I am doing my best.
I used to have someone to help me with this stuff... hmm.
Anyway, to keep up with it all, you can go to the NHL website, or for specific HABS related, here's the summary:
Habs 2008 draft picks
25. Traded to Calgary for Alex Tanguay
56. RW - Danny Kritso - USA (U-18)
86. RW - Steve Quailer - Sioux City (USHL)
116. G - Jason Missiaen - Peterborough (OHL)
138. F - Maxim Trunev - Cherepovets 2 (Russia)
206. F - Patrick Johnson - Lincoln (USHL)
all out of options?
I have been dealing with something that I have never blogged about... Its something that I will not be going into any great detail on either...
But I needed to write this down, somewhere, and my blog is as good a place as any I suppose!
I feel that my life is just one drama after another, or several simultaneous ones and when one drama finishes, the others that were there, just slightly hidden, now come to the surface and seem pretty serious!
I'm posing this question - what do you do when you feel you are out of options? What if you have tried everything you feel you possibly could, and still could not make something "happen" or "work..." Sure, when I was blogging about my day job, I had same problem: seemingly out of options. That solution was somewhat simple, walk away.
But not everything is so easy...
To quote Linkin Park "sometimes solutions aren't so simple... sometimes goodbye's the only way."
"Shadow of the Day" from the album Minutes to Midnight 2007
if the shoe fits
Ohhhh they sure fit! Got new shoes again, I'm stoked! Need to go to a graduation next week, and have a "cute" dress. Didn't have shoes to go with it, so I found a pair.
More exciting than the pair of shoes, which I'm pretty happy about, I got to spend time with a great friend. She is in town from Nicaragua, and it was awesome to be able to spend time with her. I am glad she is in my life, I appreciate who she is and what she has to offer the world. She is a great person and her passion is inspiring!
Oh, and again, here's to the shoes, thanks for your help!
drip, drip, drip... no more!
I'm super happy because the plumbing leak is fixed! What an awesome job this particular person did. I took pictures just to prove it!
Its unfortunate they needed fixing in the first place, as back in August we needed to re-route a couple lines when we got our water softener and UV filter... The person who did that plumbing used compression fittings, and I
watched over and over as they over tightened them without listening, seriously, I bought like 10 of them, and went to the hardware store too many times.
Anyway, one of the fittings finally gave way and we had a drip, a little one at first, a normal pail took a day or two to fill. Then spring came, and I needed the outdoor hose, that pressure created problems and the leak got bigger, finally up to almost 2 buckets a day!
So, its fixed... Mr Handy-Man, also known as my husband, did the work! AWESOME!
(with the exception of a bit of burnt wood, you can see it in the first pic, thats funny)
it gets better and better
Maybe I shouldn't be so happy about leaving my job, but as each day goes on I feel even better and better. I do not regret the decision in any way.
So, what are my plans from here, not really sure. I am enjoying some time of relaxation and decompression. There was a lot to unload, but seems to be disappearing naturally without any effort, so that is good, just taking a bit of time.
I am also glad because I am getting some "stuff" done around the house, and I like that. Its a nice feeling to KNOW you have accomplished something at the end of the day.
2008 Stanley Cup Winners
If my Habs couldn't make it all the way, I am happy that the Detroit Red Wings took home the cup in a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in game six of the series.
It was a great game, pretty intense, especially near the end. I know of many friends who will be sad, and some who prolly think I am a bit of a traitor, going for a team from the Western Conference when my loyalties should lie in the East, but also because Crosby is a fellow Maritimer.
But, I've always been partial to Detroit. And I am super stoked to see them win their 4th cup in 11 years.
a beast of a machine
I am very happy that the push mower is working. Its a beast of a machine, so finicky. It is a miserable task to try and get it started.
But, I did it, I managed to start it, several times!
I am pretty happy about that, in case you didn't notice. It was nice to be outside most of the day, mowing, other yard work. Best part, I don't really remember thinking about anything during those hours of walking behind "the beast." Its great!
I am so "at peace." (to use terminology that a lot of others are using - asking me, are you "at peace" with your decision... why yes, YES I AM).
Here's to a great day.
Lawn Mower image courtesy of Wikipedia.
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