Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Apr 15, 2008, at 8:03 PM, EarthNSky wrote:

> Ok, Gene, you asked me to be specific,...
> For me, it's not about imagination, it's about empathy-putting  
> yourself
> in someone else's shoes.

Well, my take is that is what Obama was doing, he was empathizing with  
those Pennsylvania workers who were hurting after years of seeing  
their jobs disappear and politicians lying to them and doing little  
that was helpful. He saw the need, he saw the wrong, he saw the result  
and he spoke truthfully about it. We here have for years lamented that  
politicians don't tell the truth. I have often said we can't handle  
the truth. This is an example.
> I find it difficult to understand how you can only take personal  
> offense
> to something ONLY if it relates to you personally.

Think of it from a spiritual viewpoint. If we take personally the many  
ills and wrongs in the world we will be distraught. We can empathize  
with the millions of people with serious problems whose stories are  
thrown in front of us each day, but if we take personal umbrage at the  
wrong of it we will destroy ourselves from within.

>  I take offense when
> I hear certain racially or ethnically charged words or stereotypes,  
> even
> though the comments aren't directed to me. Stereotypes are often true,
> so how does your bias for truth sit with that?

I not only seek truth, I seek the Golden Rule. It is unhelpful and  
often hurtful to speak certain things though they may be true. There  
must be a compelling need.

>  If I were ever to visit
> you in Phoenix, and one of your friends called me a Cracker, I sure  
> hope
> that you would set them straight that while I may be from Georgia, I
> ain't no freakin' cracker. (Someone in OR once called me a cracker,
> thinking it was cute, akin to Peach) Your friend may not even  
> realize he
> is being offensive or the history of that word, and he may only be
> joking around, but it is still not acceptable.  Or, would you do  
> nothing
> and remain quiet because you can't relate to that personally?

Bev, consider how much better if we could all laugh hilariously, then  
after regaining control, then you could educate. Once the friend  
realized he had hurt you he would almost certainly apologize. If not,  
then if would be difficult not to think less of him.
>  Out of
> curiosity, would you still remain friends with your neighbor after  
> that,
> or would you look around for different friends, perhaps one that is  
> not
> so bigoted/ignorant/prejudiced.

Dear Bev, were I to rid myself of all friends who are biased or  
ignorant or prejudiced I would have no one to talk to, I would have to  
go live in a cave and meditate.

Btw, to save me from looking it up, what the heck is a cracker? See,  
you have exposed my ignorance.
>