OMFG - This is just too hilarious. Social media for poopers. When I first read this I was searching for the punchline but I guess in this day and age I shouldn’t be surprised by anything….read on . .
iPoo - bored while you poo?
WHAT IS IPOO?
Always find yourself with nothing to do while you’re sitting [...]
Yesterday I was watching a show on CNN called Generation Islam - I was heartbroken, the show focused attention on all of the kids that are being affected by the hate and racism that is going on in the middle east. It also shines a bright beautiful light on all of the different people and groups who are working to break the cycle of hate by educating kids and their mothers. This morning I was flipping through channels and I came across West Side Story ans started watching it. I remember the first time I watched this when I was younger. I cried and cried when Tony got killed. I was really upset but I can’t remember if I really understood that the movie was about racism and hate. While I was watching this movie I was also browsing through some blogs and started reading a post on Rebellious Arab Girl about Arabs who are Rasicst against other Arabs because of the color of their skin. I was lucky, my parents never taught me to hate anyone (accept Dallas Cowboy fans). We were so sheltered. It wouldn’t last long. Racists are everywhere. I really started thinking about racism and where it starts. I know some people are hurt or killed by others and it causes hate. I can almost, almost understand it, but, then they teach it to their kids and their kids teach it to their kids, etc, etc, etc. Even writing this post I think it’s impossible - how do you get people to stop teaching hate?
When I was 10 years old I flew to Chicago with my two sisters to visit my grandparents, a couple of snobby upper-class grumpy old people. I hated being around them. They were always angry. My grandfather was ok he just couldn’t stand my grandmother and would just tune out everything, literally, she opens her mouth - he turns down the hearing aid. Anyway, there we were 3 sweet innocent little angels, away from our mom and dad for the first time, trying to figure out a way to have fun. We went to the zoo and ate out at a lot of fancy restaurants. One day my grandmother was fixing us a snack of watermelon slices. We loved watermelon and got real excited and asked my grandmother if we could sit outside and eat it. She turned around and glared at us and yelled, “You’re not going outside to eat watermelon like a bunch of Niggers!!” We just stood there with our mouths open then my younger sister started crying and ran back to the bedroom. My big sister grabbed my hand, glared right back at my grandmother and pulled me into the bedroom. We stayed in there for hours. Thirty years later and I can still picture that womans face - she was viscious. Once I grew up my mother told me some other stories. Like the one where she blames black people swimming in the public pools for giving my aunt polio. She also forbid my father to marry my mom. When that didn’t work she resorted to bribery - obviously that still didn’t work.
Racism - Hate - It’s everywhere. Are you a racist? When was your first experience with it? How do you think it can be stopped?
I am an ex-Government, Management Analyst and a Stay-at-home mom of three. I grew up in the most sarcastic family ever - this blog is stories from my life told sarcastically. » Read More
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Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
West Side Story, I loved that movie, the singing and dancing. The romance. Ahhhh, I cried when Tony was killed, heck I still do. I did understand that it was hate that killed him. That it was hate and fear that caused Tony’s budies to treat Rita so badly in the drug store.
There is sadly much hate around us. I think perhaps less than there used to be as people grow in different circles. You know if you work with, go to school with, have a neighbor who is a different race, a different religion, a different culture and you get to them as people…that’s when the hate stops. One person at a time, it’s a slow process.
Thought provoking and good post.
Sandy
Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
Hi Sandy
Excellent post as usual.You are right on with the teaching of our children to hate.I could have turned out to be a racist. My father was and tried to teach us. He was also a drunk so we attributed much of what he said to that.
Enough airing of dirty laundry. Just wanted to tell you what a wonderful post it is.
Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
This is an excellent post and I can’t think of anything to add to it. Other than hopefully some day we’ll all learn to “just get along”
Sep 22, 2009 | Reply
Great post. Been lurking for a while but don’t often stop to compile a comment! I wanted to tell you that this is a good post. I echo much of it.
My experience with Racism … I was sheltered growing up. When I say that … I may as well have lived in a bubble. I lived in an older farming community and everyone around was caucasian (white). Everyone in the community went to church on Sunday (well, everyone except my family!). Everyone knew everyone else’s business.
When my next door neighbours adopted two children from Dom. Rep. our community acted as though their world had come to an end. People were pulling their children out of school so their kids didn’t go to the same school as these two children. There was a great outcry in public meetings. People tried to ban them from everything! Shopping stores, library, schools, even church.
I laugh when people start talking about how we are so advanced in this century and racism/slavery disappeared so long ago … “blah blah blah”. Why? Because less than 20 years ago, an entire community here in Ontario started “pushing people to the back of the bus”. I lived it. It was horrible for them.
Luckily, my parents were very much against racism (flower child here!) and encouraged me to treat the two children as equals. We grew up together, feeding the neighbour’s cows stolen zucchini from the garden.
I still live in this community (what can I say, it grows on you!), but both those children have moved elsewhere now that they are grown.
Hate? Hate is a terrible thing, but so easy to do. I have learned that love and hate are two sides of the same coin. I have learned that I do hate. I accept it. It is part of being who I am.
I hate all those people who made the two children from Dom. Rep. that I grew up with feel terrible. I hate all those comments they made.
I hate people who practise cruelty to animals. Hate is a perfect word. I think that they should live the same thing they do to the animals. If they starve the animals, let them starve. If they beat them, let them also be beaten. Yes, it’s harsh but after working with the Humane Society I have seen many things and it breeds hate. I have seen dogs with cigarette burns all over their bodies. I have seen dogs in the aftermath of being lit on fire. Do I hate? Yes. I do.
I wrote a blog post back in November about this … http://dogsdeservefreedom.blogspot.com/2008/11/sweet-justice-man-who-cut-off-dogs-ears.html
Sep 22, 2009 | Reply
I was called “nigger” by a Muslim Arab woman on the bus the other day when I admonished her for pushing me out of her way instead of saying “excuse me” and allowing me an opportunity to move for her.
That, by the way, is not the first time I’ve been called “nigger” by an Arab woman.
Racism - it’s not just white people. In fact, I experience more bias and racism from other non whites than anyone else.
Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Dogsdeservefreedom - I agree with you 100% - Whatever someone does to another should be done back to them (right before they are shoved off a high cliff) People who hate (other humans OR animals) are usually insecure, ignornant, self loathing morans. The thing that scares me is, how many of these racist just don’t know any better? Think of the kids raised in the Gaza strip - it is such a viscious circle. We need to educate the kids, let them know they have a choice.
Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Thefitnessdiva - I’m sorry you have to deal with idiots like that. I can’t believe the nerve of people - do you hate them or feel sorry for them because they are so stupid?
Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Sandy - I hope you’re right - even if it’s a slow process, if eventually the hate stops it is worth the wait.
Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
You were in the same boat as my day - I don’t know how he turned out to be such a wonderful, caring, intelligent person considering the haters who raised him.
Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Ann!
Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Of course it makes me angry when people act like this, and also a bit bewildered. I don’t get why some have an immediate negative reaction to certain others because of their skin color or race.
I once lived in a predominantly Indian and Pakistani part of NY for a few years, and was shocked and amazed to find out how racist some of the brownest Indians you ever want to see could be. They took it to a whole, new level. I won’t go into details…
Anyhow, at the end of the day, I just don’t get it. I don’t look like a monster, and on most days am this smiling, attractive, polite person, who always says “excuse me” and “thank you” (in fact, I think this racial typing has actually made me work harder at being more socially polite) but all some can see is the color of the skin. It’s their sickness. And it’s a very deep one. And I don’t really see it dissipating or improving at all.
Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
nice to know….some ppl are for equality…….i have seen these a lot……..discrimination…..racism…..
I live in India…where you’ll find all different races and colors…..ppl say we are democratic…..and non biased towards ..religion …..but that isn’t true….we still have those flaws…..pre judging ppl from the region of India they belong too………..on their caste…..race…..it all there………there were some news lately when some building’s denied flats to Muslim residents…….
now that’s stupid…..but its everywhere………
the whole world is infected by it.
Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
Awesome post! And thanks for not being an honest blogger. As a black woman, growing up in the D-E-E-P, I must honestly say I’ve never experienced racism in it’s purist form. However, the under current of racism exists even today.
It’s difficult to get past it when ppl feed into what their family members and loved ones say and believe. You, for example - had you and your sisters not had a strong figure in your lives to express to you girls how wrong your grandmother was….your views might be quite different today.
We have a natural affinity to things that are most like us. It’s instinctive to want to be with those we share more commonalities with than others. What’s not natural is to hate things that are different simply because they are different.
I can only shudder at the thought of what the youth of Islam will have in store for the world after being subjugated and berated on a daily basis - and why - in the name of religion! (don’t even get me started on that one).
I can’t say enough how much I truly enjoyed reading your post and hope to stop by again often….even if you are prejudiced against me….I LOVE THE DALLAS COWBOYS!!!
Sep 25, 2009 | Reply
BIG TIME TYPO: I meant to say “thanks for being AN Honest Blogger…Sorry
Sep 26, 2009 | Reply
What a truly wonderful post. I very much enjoyed reading it. I don’t, however, enjoy the subject. We all wish for no hate, world peace, can you even imagine a world like that? Certainly it’s true that some things are better now than they were 20 years ago or 40 years ago but there is alway a new, dissatisfied group who hates and passes it on. I absolutely agree that hate is taught and a sad shame to pass on the ugliness and bitterness to our children. don’t we all wish for a better future for our kids?
Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
Great article. I loved it, and it really made me think.
I’m not sure when was the first time I experienced racism. I think racism was all around me, that you either grew very sensitive to it or became ignorant to it.
For me, I think the first time I really really realized Racism was all around, (even online) was about 10 years ago, I was on a chat room specifically built for Indigenous, First Nations & Native American people. I loved going on there, it was a wonderful place to chat, we welcomed anyone who wanted to join in, shared experiences, language & culture. And then we began getting terrorized by racist who would join in and yell out racist remarks, to the point where you would just have to leave the chat. Most of the time the remarks wouldn’t bother me, other times it made me cry & broke my heart. I think it was then, i realized, No matter where I go, on or off line, there will always be racists, There will always be people who hate for no reason.
Sadly racism takes many forms, and I even get racism from my own people.
Its an ugly subject, but nice to see someone talking about it and putting it out there.Great blog.
Oct 17, 2009 | Reply
actually i have to say something
u cant really call all arabs like this .
many arabs love the fact that here in america it doesnt matter what color ur skin is
and this is true ask me .
and i would really hate for u guys to judge all arabs/muslims just because of a couple mislead people that were never tought wrong from right.
many arabs hate rasicm and muslim peole are `100% againt racism .