What an ugly word.
Devastating really to anyone who works to always not to judge anyone by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Wrong when it is thrown around as an accusation and weakened in its effect when it is used indiscriminately.
Disgusted that some might think it true.
Relieved that so many more will absolutely know in their core that it's not.
I feel better today than I did yesterday. I know that things will work out.
Thank you to everyone who commented. As I can share more, I will.
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9 comments:
This sort of thing ASTOUNDS me. My school is being sued for discrimination because a young lady felt sleighted by having been awarded the FEMALE lead in last year's production rather than the MALE lead (which was given to a deserving male). If people spent more time learning and less time examining angles through which they might, though litigation, get more attention, we'd have a much happier world.
My wishes that this be dismissed for the dumbness I know it is.
Oh now! I know how angry and indignant I get when I get that card pulled on me in the classroom. I can't even imagine how I might react if I got it in writing.
How awful! I'm thinking of you and sending blessings from across the country. Take care...
I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I just sent this story to someone else recently who had done a beautiful deed and her motivations were questioned. I've cut and pasted it below for you:
Buddha observed the ways of society and noticed how much misery came from malignity and foolish offenses done only to gratify vanity and self-seeking pride. And the Buddha said: "If a man foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection of my ungrudging love; the more evil comes from him, the more good shall go from me; the fragrance of goodness always comes to me, and the harmful air of evil goes to him."
A foolish man learning that the Buddha observed the principle of great love which commends the return of good for evil, came and abused him. The Buddha was silent, pitying his folly. When the man had finished his abuse, the Buddha asked him, saying: "Son, if a man declined to accept a present made to him, to whom would it belong?" And he answered: "In that case it would belong to the man who offered it."
"My son," said the Buddha thou hast railed at me, but I decline to accept thy abuse, and request thee to keep it thyself. Will it not be a source of misery to thee? As the echo belongs to the sound, and the shadow to the substance, so misery will overtake the evil-doer without fail."
The abuser made no reply, and Buddha continued: "A wicked man who reproaches a virtuous one is like one who looks up and spits at heaven; the spittle soils not the heaven, but comes back and defiles his own person. The slanderer is like one who flings dust at another when the wind is contrary; the dust does but return on him who threw it. The virtuous man cannot be hurt and the misery that the other would inflict comes back on himself."
Wow--that IS disturbing and scary. In my district, it would be very threatening to one's employment since they settled a huge discrimination suit several years ago. (and now are terrified of getting sued again) Thinking of you and sending you positive vibes!!
Wow, how awful! That doesn't sound like you at all. Was it a formal thing or simply an accusatory letter?
When used against a person like you (who I personally know to be the antithesis of racist) it seems to be a refuge of those who don't actually have a true leg to stand on with whatever the complaint is.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this.
I'm so sorry. This is one of the worst nightmares for a teacher. Sending my thoughts and prayers for you. :-)
After all you've worked for, it's amazing how a single comment can leave you stunned. Appreciation of diversity is such a difficult concept to teach sometimes. We're almost entering an era where "diversity" is a bad word. I'm doing my part to correct our perceptions of diversity--I'm glad you are too!
My HUGE diversity project!
http://diversitydownload.blogspot.com/
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