HELP! Dilemma! Caring/Compassion/Curiosity vs. Caution/Concern (that’s a lot of C’s) : In a local shopping center parking lot in front of a Krispy Kreme, I see a middle-eastern man wearing a turban. Ok, this is Silicon Valley, lots of middle-easterners here, I even have several friends that are Sikhs, so whats the big deal? Well, as I looked at him more closely, he is wearing military fatigues, high black boots, and has that look like the “bad guy” in movies (I know, so bad, but well, he did!) I was still cool, and I did my usual thing: smiled, waved, said good morning, went my merry way… but then I look back and see him getting into a Hummer, and not your typical pristine mint shiny Silicon Valley Hummer that has never had so much as a speck of dust on it, this was a REAL Military H1 BEAST of a Hummer that looked like it had seen much battle (granted, probably at your local autocross, where rich white guys see if they can destroy their pretty cars - I know, I know, such a stereotype, forgive my ignorance, maybe it isn’t like that at all, but I’m confident…). Anyways, my attitude immediately shifted into caution and concern, and I started watching the guy very intently as if he was most likely up to no good. I then felt kinda bad about it and started to philosophize on the extent of influence that movies and news media may have on me in relation to stereotypes. Also, when are these stereotypes meant to “serve and protect” and when are they just me becoming more prejudiced and close-minded. …meanwhile, the Krispy Kreme explodes, bursts into flames, and hot sugary “napalm” is everywhere… (sorry, bad side joke, trying to lighten up, lol) But really, how much is enough for caution and skepticism? Where’s the safe boundary between being nice and assuming the best in people vs being a paranoid negative Nancy (no offense to the Nancy’s of the world, I’m sure there are a few that are not so negative :P)
Posted on: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 19:07:43 +0000
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