We must keep sounding the alarms! Otherwise, all the progress that's been made can be stripped away in decisions by powerful but unaccountable people in robes.
I am sorry that because of a behavior of a few the resentment continues. When will we be able to live and let live without uninformed, hateful attitude?
"Was it simply because I flipped him off, which he richly deserved?"
What exactly initiated this encounter? Why did you flip him off? I'm assuming the aggressive road rage on his part didn't start until after you 'flipped him off.' You're leaving out key details. Is it on purpose?
There is an issue in this country that categorizes groups by location of residence, race and political affiliation as the same in bias. It is fed by our political campaigning. Not all people in this country, rural included are unyielding to inclusion and equality—the constitution was written for this even though women, as we all recall, had to march for the right to vote at the turn of the 19th century. No person is more privileged morally. Economically, the story of privilege has many chapters and they continue.
As a 67 yr. old slice of Iowa white bread, I grew up in a predominately rural area of NW Iowa. Not a black person in sight. When I graduated from high school I had never even spoken to a black person. Then I went to college where there were (gasp) black people. Truth be told, I was scared. What do I say, how do I act? Not wanting to offend with my naive upbringing. Luckily, I had the good fortune to attend a seminar hosted by the NAACP featuring C.T. Vivian. Here's wishing every white person in Iowa could have attended. To all of my white brethren I submit this question: If you woke up tomorrow and you were black, would your life change? Don't be scared. Fear arises from ignorance. I believe some outreach programs introducing some personable black people to rural whites (especially students) would reap positive benefits. PS- Sorry about that white jerk. Jerks gonna jerk. Please stay.
We must keep sounding the alarms! Otherwise, all the progress that's been made can be stripped away in decisions by powerful but unaccountable people in robes.
I am sorry that because of a behavior of a few the resentment continues. When will we be able to live and let live without uninformed, hateful attitude?
Yes, how can the mainstream of this society continue to be so blind, so willfully ignorant? It is self-destruction, I suppose.
"Was it simply because I flipped him off, which he richly deserved?"
What exactly initiated this encounter? Why did you flip him off? I'm assuming the aggressive road rage on his part didn't start until after you 'flipped him off.' You're leaving out key details. Is it on purpose?
Thank you for this column and all you do, Dana.
There is an issue in this country that categorizes groups by location of residence, race and political affiliation as the same in bias. It is fed by our political campaigning. Not all people in this country, rural included are unyielding to inclusion and equality—the constitution was written for this even though women, as we all recall, had to march for the right to vote at the turn of the 19th century. No person is more privileged morally. Economically, the story of privilege has many chapters and they continue.
We have the opportunity in our daily conversation to call it when we see it and I do
As a 67 yr. old slice of Iowa white bread, I grew up in a predominately rural area of NW Iowa. Not a black person in sight. When I graduated from high school I had never even spoken to a black person. Then I went to college where there were (gasp) black people. Truth be told, I was scared. What do I say, how do I act? Not wanting to offend with my naive upbringing. Luckily, I had the good fortune to attend a seminar hosted by the NAACP featuring C.T. Vivian. Here's wishing every white person in Iowa could have attended. To all of my white brethren I submit this question: If you woke up tomorrow and you were black, would your life change? Don't be scared. Fear arises from ignorance. I believe some outreach programs introducing some personable black people to rural whites (especially students) would reap positive benefits. PS- Sorry about that white jerk. Jerks gonna jerk. Please stay.