LETTERS TO STRANGERS
...WORDS I HAVE POSTED PUBLICALLY IN VARIOUS PLACES IN RESPONSE TO OTHERS WORDS...
...a friend is a stranger waiting to be met...
HATE
THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE... (I HOPE...) THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE... (I HOPE...) THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE... (I HOPE...) THERE'S ALWAYS HOPE...
LETTERS TO STRANGERS
...WORDS I HAVE POSTED PUBLICALLY IN VARIOUS PLACES IN RESPONSE TO OTHERS WORDS...
...a friend is a stranger waiting to be met...
HATE
January 5, 2000
this is a saver... a super-saver LOL
for anyone filtering out crossposted posts, I repeat:
>>>On a British Airways flight from Johannesburg, a middle-aged,
>>>well-off white South African lady has found herself sitting
>>>next to a black man. She called the cabin crew attendant over
>>>to complain about her seating.
>>
>>>"What seems to be the problem, Madam?" asked the attendant.
>>
>>>"Can't you see?" she said, "You've sat me next to a kafir. I
>>>can't possibly sit next to this disgusting human. Find me
>>>another seat!"
>>
>>>"Please calm down, Madam." the stewardess replied. "The
>>>flight is very full today, but I'll tell you what I'll do.
>>>I'll go and check to see if we have any seats available in
>>>club or first class".
>>
>>>The woman cocks a snooty look at the outraged black man
>>>beside her (not to mention many of the surrounding
>>>passengers). A few minutes later the stewardess returns
>>>with the good news, which she delivers to the lady, who
>>>cannot help but look at the people around her with a smug
>>>and self-satisfied grin.
>>
>>>"Madam, unfortunately, as I suspected, economy is full. I've
>>>spoken to the cabin services director, and club is also full.
>>>However, we do have one seat in first class".
>>
>>>Before the lady has a chance to answer, the stewardess
>>>continues: "It is most extraordinary to make this kind of
>>>upgrade, however, and I have had to get special permission
>>>from the captain. But, given the circumstances, the captain
>>>felt that it was outrageous that someone should be forced
>>>to sit next such an obnoxious person."
>>
>>>With that, she turned to the black man and said: "So if you'd
>>>like to get your things, sir, I have your seat ready for you..."
>>
>>>At which point, the surrounding passengers stood and gave a
>>>standing ovation while the man walked to the front of the
>>>plane . . .
>>
>> Oh, if "life" could only be like that,,,
>> Is this a true story?
>
>I don't know if it is a true story - I would like to think it is.
>
>One thing I cannot understand is prejudice. Quite rightly so we all abhor
>child abusers, people that are violent, rapists and the like, that is a
>common dislike amongst us all. But to actively dislike someone because of
>their nationality or colour makes no sense to me at all.
>
I think most hate doesn't make sense... what does hate do but create negativity inside us - we deserve better than that... I think we should pity the abusers and the cruel and focus the energy that is wasted on hate into doing some good for ourselves (after taking necessary steps to defend ourselves when necessary)...
>I have worked in many jobs and worked with many different kinds of
>people, in a recent vacancy in my company for secretary I actively
>wanted a black person, they have such happy spirits and are such a
>tonic. When you look at the history of black people, when they
>were slaves and then listen to their music and songs. They managed
>to retain such optimism and FAITH in the face of such adversity.
>
people are people... not all black people dance, not all white people can't jump... if only we could each make the decision to take one step at a time, to look at one person in the eye at a time and see the color of their eyes, not the color of their skin... but then, knowing human nature, brown eyed people might start hating blue eyed people and green eyed people might start hating... well, you get the picture...
maybe we'll just have to cut each others hearts out to realize at the heart of humanity, we're all the same color... blood red...
eeek, didn't mean to bring it down too much... there's still hope though... there is less prejudice every generation... still way too much for peace on this planet or in many neighborhoods, but at least the prejudice level isn't going up each year... hope :)
>I wish you had said something to those people at the zoo SP.
>
>As for being spat on and the like, I don't know about this, I have never
>experienced it myself in the UK.
>
I've felt prejudice directly and it's a horrid experience... people who don't know you judging you negatively can destroy self-esteem - make you think it's your fault and maybe they are right... it takes a lot of strength to realize that total strangers who have no reason to put you down might do it anyway for any number of reasons... and to stop caring what people think before you get the chance to know them seems like such a waste...
>I've hit such an appalling depression SP, I just don't know what to do. I
>really thought the New Year was going to bring a new start, something
>magical, something miraculous. But still there are no answers. And still
>no one can tell me what the point is in all this.
>
maybe there are no answers... maybe life is just a series of questions leading to more questions and knowing isn't the point... maybe just being and taking it day to day without needing to know why is the best we can do... if this is life, then maybe the answer is accepting there is no answer and being satisfied just to be here sharing whatever we can share... making the most of the moment, creating the best we can be...
>Perhaps by the grace of God, some angel will come to me in my sleep and
>carry me away to a sweet place called oblivion.
>
if you get there, I hope you can continue writing... I enjoy your words :)
>How 'bout you?
>
hope this wasn't meant to be a private conversation... something in your words (and the previous story you posted) called out and inspired me to babble back a bit...
may there be some worth in your reading, some peace in your mind, and some hope in your heart tonight, or today, whatever time it may be where you are...
honest love, ric
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