Different Perspective

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherian,

I hear what you're saying. Just to give a different perspective on it using

a different

example. My Mom is " legally blind " having Macular Degeneration, as some

elderly people get. Which isn't black-blind, they can see out of the sides of

their

eyes and some shapes and stuff.

I've heard and read a lot about prejiduce and meaness. I've heard and read

about black women cashiers say, for example, that white people don't like to

even

so much touch there hands when they give out change. And if the white ladys

hand doesn't rise to meet theres, when they give out change, as they " sense "

a fear of touch in the customer, they'll let the change drop to the floor, on

purpose.

And is some cases what they're saying about prejiduce, and people not wanted

to make contact (touch) them is very true.

However, you don't know how many times -- I seen black lady cashiers give my

Mom change, and she doesn't raise her hand to meet theirs -- simply cuz she

can't

SEE where their hand is at, let alone where the chance is, at accurately.

So I know what usually happens is, the black lady cashier thinks in her mind:

" Here's another prejiduce white women. " -- as the change goes rolling on the

floor.

And My Mom always goes chasing after her money, that's rolling on the floor

wondering, why the cashiers always " miss " her hand. And usually people help

her pick up the money, cuz she can't really see where it went anyhow.

Both walk away from the experience with a deeper ingrained " misconception " .

The experience, reinforces in the black ladys mind -- a prime example of

another

" prejiduce white lady " and in my Mom -- " What's wrong with cashiers today,

when they always miss my hand? " . She can't see the hand, the change or even

the cashier to know she's black -- and of course - I don't have the heart to

tell

her why her change is always rolling around on the floor.

So hope that story don't OFFEND anyone, as it's probably not very politically

correct,

but I seen it happen so many times, I can't even count them.

As for DWARF and MIDGET. I've been called MIDGET lots of times. I know when

it's used in the wrong or deragatory way. And you would be surprised, how

many

people come up and ask me: " Are you a midget? " Out of curiousity, they

really

want to know, and it's not offensive, but that's the only word they know to

use.

So usually it starts a good conversation, and then I have the oppportunity to

explain

how there's 200+ different types of dwarfism, porportional (midget) and

non-proportional

(dwarf), etc. etc. And they walk away learning something they knew nothing

about,

in most cases. After all didn't Barty start LPA -- as " Midgets of

America " or

something, cuz that was the term that was used during the times??

MARY

Sherian McCoy <bzymom320@...> wrote:

I'm not an LP so I am tredding lightly so as not to offend anyone.

Here's my take on the subject though. I think it is when others are insecure or

feel inferior that they make fun or call names about others. It makes them feel

more important. On the other hand I have been in situations where I have tried

to help someone at the store reach something (an LP, a wheelchair bound person,

a child) and they are down right rude to me. I'm just trying to help! I was

injured about 5 years ago and was in a wheelchair for 2 1/2 years. It was the

pits going to grocer by myself or even with my kids when I needed something on

the top shelf. It's a good thing my daughter could reach most things. There were

many, many people that were rude and didn't let me get through an isle or walked

in front of me in line because they couldn't 'see' me. I would imagine that many

of you have experienced this as well because my son faces it on a regular basis.

But here's the kicker. That

doesn't mean that all people were or that all people are jerks because they

don't help or ignore you. When someone does help don't be rude to them and if

they ask a question maybe it is just curiosity and not them being insulting.

One more little story. When my brother was about 6 in the early 60's my mom took

him to see Santa. He kept looking at this kid standing in front of them who was

black and finally asked my mom very loudly why he was that color. My mother

responded that it was because that was how God made him. My mom says she held

her breath waiting for his response because she didn't know what he would say or

if she would be embarrassed by it. His response? " Wow! I wish I was that color,

that's a great color! " Everyone laughed and my mother breathed a sigh of relief.

My mom said that she learned that day that you have to give your kids the

benefit of the doubt because they just want to learn. We need to give others the

benefit of the doubt too and not become hardened by things we've been hurt by.

Just another person still learning......

Sherian

Dan Kennedy <dan@...> wrote:

Randy (and all) --

You're exactly right. The question is, how was it that " midget " and " dwarf "

took on those meanings? I don't know.

Dan