Rant alert: The woman that found these messages on her car and found the air let out of her tires is a decorated Army captain, combat veteran, talented comedienne and one of the most remarkable and dedicated soldiers I know. The first note, the one about taking a mans job hits pretty close to home because Ive had that hurled at me more times than I can count over the last 20 years. Most of the time I work with good people who cant imagine someone would do these things because they never would. I think some folks are still a little worried about how anyone different than them will succeed in their world and stuff like this just gives them one more reason to worry. When I worked in TV one such issue was the fact that I had to field aggressive predatory stalkers on a regular basis and the male meteorologists didnt, one more reason, one could make the case, I was more trouble than I was worth, and that was one more reason I was hesitant to report situations or ask for help. Most of us who are unique in any way dont want to stand out any more than we already do. So we carry the burden of hate, predatory behavior, insult, assault and isolation while we endure the bullies alone. To often when you ask for help the response is well, I dont know why anyone would do that. I wouldnt do that. Or be the bigger person or youre hanging out with the wrong people, as if we could chose who else gets hired or waits outside for hours to track us down after work. And often, thats the end of conversation. And that is sad. The latter notes, I hope, will horrify you as to why just leaving people alone who we perceive to be different for ANY reason is not enough. Saying I dont care what they do, I just dont want to hear about it isnt enough when people still do hateful things like this (to a combat veteran no less!). Anytime we meet someone who is different for ANY reason, our survival instincts are always calculating in our minds...what if their ideas about who they are dont work...and our eyes betray us. When my dear friend Jerry Hughes first introduced himself and told me about the foundation he started after was diagnosed with AIDS my mind raced a bit because I hadnt met anyone who was open about their struggle, couldnt remember details about the risks, and was afraid hed see that in my eyes and think it was a rejection or judgement of him. And then I thought, there is something I CAN do and gave him a big long HUG in the middle of a room where Id just finished a speaking engagement. Think about it. When something scares you, even a little, its a bad strategy all around to retreat. Advance and attack every decent human being who struggles with a hug, because chances are you have NO idea what it took for that person to get to work that day. And chances are, when you make friends like that, you will learn more about courage from them than you ever could on your own. NO MATTER WHAT YOU PERSONALLY BELIEVE. Also because, hugs are good for everyone. (Specially kittehs, no matter how many madz dey haz about it). Xo #KeepCalmAndKittehOn
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:17:46 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015