I Segregate my Dishes: I Must be a Racist Bastard!
By: Keith
I went in my cupboard yesterday to prepare a bowl of cereal and that’s when I realized that I really am completely racist. I have cereal bowls which are identical except for their color, and I actually spend the time to segregate them when I put them back in the cupboard. I thought it was just a neurosis of mine. But I started thinking about the wonderful lessons I’ve been taught this past week (on a kind hearted anti-racism blog) about how, despite my insistence that I wasn’t, I’m a closet racist. At first I just thought those people were completely full of shit. I disregarded them because I said “I’m not a racist! That’s absurd!” But, here’s the proof! I didn’t even notice until my eyes were opened. I’m white and this is just what privileged white people are. Gasp. I’m going to have to rethink my life.
I also segregate my mugs. I didn’t know I hated the Na’vi people too.
Now I’m going to be serious for a second. We all do things that can be construed as racist by somebody who is on the lookout for signs and who simply can’t be convinced otherwise. What really matters is what’s in your heart. Racists know they’re racist and people who aren’t know they aren’t. It’s as simple as that, and it really doesn’t matter how someone else wants to label you. Don’t waste time on the complainers. Complaining can be a disease that stops growth. Labeling people is what racists do so they don’t have to face their own lives. Labeling is also what professional victims do. They’ll feel better if you feel worse. I suggest rising above the fray. Be yourself and leave the naysayers squabbling behind. You have things to accomplish, new things to see and a whole life in front of you. Don’t waste it with labels of any sort.
Disagreement on the substance of the argument is good. A disagreement on the basis of a label is not acceptable. (Not all the people who disagreed with me did it on the basis of my race. I respect that.)
No related posts.
You made me realize that I don’t even segregate. There are no separate but equal establishments in my cabinets. It’s all white dishes.
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Babies in Beards – Season 2 Week 2 =-.
i knew it. bigot. (ha!)
.-= john cave osborne´s last blog ..Triplet Standard Time =-.
That post reminded me of this classic:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/600470.stm
I hope you don’t like white coffee!
.-= WhoHasDad´s last blog ..A Mother’s Day Tip for Expectant Dads =-.
Everybody loves the Na’vi, how could you?
Seriously though, good point. Respect people for who they are and don’t worry too much about how others ‘percieve’ you.
Great post.
.-= Seattledad (Luke, I am Your Father)´s last blog ..Madness Begins Early =-.
My house is a jumble. Of everything. And we’re good with that!
.-= BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Taxing =-.
I’m not a racist, I hate everyone equally.
.-= Chris @ Cleverfather´s last blog ..You must crawl before you can write =-.
Oh my God, people have been making fun of me for years for segregating my utensils. I have a drawer with white/wood/metal and another with black plastic. I call it organization. If I’m looking for the black ladle, it’s in the drawer with the black plastic. As quickly as some jump to a label of racism, others refuse to admit it. It can go both ways. It’s the problem of not listening, being stubborn, and refusing to communicate that gets us in trouble sometimes. I agree with you on rising above the fray. So many get stuck in these ridiculous time wasting arguments. Like making fun of someone over kitchen utensils.
.-= angelynn´s last blog ..Funk =-.
I fully agree with your last point “Disagreement on the substance of the argument is good. A disagreement on the basis of a label is not acceptable.”
.-= Mocha Dad´s last blog ..Come on Feel the Noise =-.