I'm Mongolian, and white people smell funny.
Can't tell them apart, either.
Fortunately, Barb is an Indian (don't EVER say Native American), so I can kinda pick her out at Walmart.
And my genetic world is different; someone once said, Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay.
To me, that's idiotic. Life is the cycle of seasons and years, not Great Men and Great Events.
I don't understand white people. I avoid them, but I know this is wrong, and I have to do better. I have to be open to learning, and maybe the first step is to steel myself not to cross the street when I see Caucasians coming
What about you?
Sylvia doesn't have this problem. A dog's a dog, except for Chihuahuas, who are something more than minor gods.
Even as a white person, I don't necessarily understand white people either. Humans are complex. Too, too often it's been white people who have been the oppressors throughout history and to this day. I continue to try to understand to help make a course correction in whatever small way I can. Humans need each other to help us figure things out. I'm glad you told us that Barb prefers Indian to Native American. It's important to use language appropriately and respectfully around each other when we know.
ReplyDeleteLisa, thank you for your eloquence here. Your gracious words, as always, leave me in awe.
DeleteOne of my author friends does deep research when she crafts her novels. Many include different Indian tribes. She told me they prefer to be called Indians over Native Americans. But their first choice is to be called by their tribe. Funny how we can be educated out of truth and facts.
ReplyDeletePrejudice is such a subtle judgement sometimes, Andrew. Thank you for letting us know that Indians prefer not to be called Native Americans, I have never heard that preference mentioned before now.
ReplyDeletemore than ever, being respectful of who others are is an invitation we can not say no to.
ReplyDelete