Heartbreaking Lessons in Discrimination
Life has been anything but boring around here lately – with the flood, two kids getting braces, learning to live with a husband with bipolar, two kids with depression and the most recent topping in my mega dish of chaos – my son broke his hand yesterday.
The same son that broke his collar bone back in January wrestling was told he had to pick a sport that wouldn’t get bones broken – we chose to bowl as a family on a league.
Well, he figured out a way to break his hand and not the one he bowls with and not by falling.
When we went to the clinic this morning for further examination and casting, we met a wonderful man. Gilbert was a black man and the only reason I point this out is because of a conversation my son and I had with Gilbert while he was applying the cast to my son’s arm.
Apparently a couple of weeks ago, Gilbert was instructed to provide a splint for a woman who suffered a back injury. So he could properly fit her, he had to ask her waist size. The woman’s husband went off declaring that request to be sexual harassment.
As discussions progressed, the real issue came out and that was racism.
Those who know me know that I do openly admit to prejudices against the bad in all races. In this particular case, I would love to be introduced to the dumbass who screamed sexual harassment. I’d have likely given him reason to need a cast or three.
Gilbert is a very sweet, pleasant and endearing man in his 50’s who obviously takes pride in his career. Gilbert was professional but not so much so that he made you feel uncomfortable.
As he applied the cast to my son’s arm, he told stories about his own children. Two who’ve grown to adulthood and one that’s still at home. He shared funny tales and through the laughter, time passed quickly and pain was kept to an absolute minimum.
I only hope that Central Indiana Orthopedics realize what a valuable employee they have in Gilbert.
Before we left the facility – I approached reception and said, “I know people are often eager to fill out complaint forms, but do you have a compliment form I may fill out and return?” I have one ready to be mailed in.
On the way home my son and I discussed what we’d learned and how our heart ached for Gilbert in that he would even feel put in the position to “test the waters of prejudice” before even laying a professional and well trained hand on someone there in need of service.
wow. Racism is still alive and well, obviously. It always will be because of people like that.
GRRR!
It is hard to understand that. I htink too that some people just like the attention of making a fuss. Maybe their parents didn’t let the co-sleep or something…. ;D
I don’t believe racism will always will be.At least I hope not.
There is a marked difference in the racism of a generation of people ahead of me and the one behind me. Why? Because people choose to pull their head out of their @$$ and not teach racism to the next generation.
Marye, you wouldn’t be trying to stir a stink pot now would you?
Tracee – I agree there is a marked difference between generations, but so long as there are people who earn a living on keeping it alive – I don’t think we’ll see as much progress as we’d like.
Kadi, it’s sad but true. I think there are just too many groups in society who thrive on keeping it alive – it’s their crutch in many ways.
who me?
not a chance. I am baking cupcakes for Kyrie’s birthday
Marye~
I’m am now referring to you as “Marye, marye quite contrary.” Ha! How perfect is that? I love having you around the blog
ha! Like you would be the first to say that..
LOL!
And .uh..it would be..umm…true.
Gayla: I believe that many people do use their race as a crutch. They say they want equality, but then use it as a source to lean on. It certainly is a battle. Having grown up in the south, I’ve seen a lot of discrimination. I was discriminated against too for being white. I remember going to a Future Homemakers of America Christmas party, or something like that, because my economics teacher asked me to play the piano. I over heard comments like, “Who invited the Oreos?” and “What are those white girls doing here?”.
A few months ago, I had a close family member that was getting ready to be hired by a particular company. Then they called and apologized and said they couldn’t hire him. He found out from someone in the company that they couldn’t hire him because someone else in the company (who was not qualified) said she didn’t get the promotion because of her race. To shut her up, they had to give her the promotion. You’d think that would be degrading.
I feel badly for the Gilberts of this world that try to do their best and do what’s right. We’re trying to teach our children to love everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, gender, and/or things things that they do that we don’t agree with.
I must have missed what Marye was referring to.
Darn. I’m always in moderation here.
I just say the post about co-sleeping. I’ll have to check it out.
Gayla…(I am going to be a little harsh because you are harsh.) Your family sounds like a bunch of crazies….don’t get on any plane soon.
Wild children….OCD mother…….bipolar father…lots of issues. Like I said…that could have been your children throwing a fit. I bet you would have sued as well.
Marye – you crack me up!
Karen – I keep tweaking the moderation trying to get you out of lockup with every post – hopefully it’s fixed now. We’ll soon find out.
Sabrina – Talk to the hand cuz the face ain’t listenin’ no more – it’s not about my being harsh and not agreeing. Was told once that I’m borderline psychic and I’m believing it more and more now – because what I see now is a person who has a severe case of cantshutthaeffupevenwhenitsuncalledforitis and I just don’t have time to bother with that.
Karen, I swear we must be related somewhere along the lines. This is precisely why I have a beef with those who abuse the system – any system.
If I tried to break the rules, bend the laws or beat the system – I’d be caught with mud on my face for sure.
Heck I don’t even speed because I’m the one who always gets caught.
This is what I tell my kids.
When you are called to a higher standard then more is expected of you. You can’t get away with things other people can. Nor would you want to.
As Christians, our family is called to a higher standard of behavior. What others do it between them and whatever or whoever they believe in.
There will always be people (of all races) who enjoy mediocrity that will complain that we think we are better than they are. Turkeys can’t fly with eagles…and eagles don’t stand in the mud.