Ignorance is not always bliss

Something occurred today at work (well a couple of somethings) that I was unsure if I would bother blogging about, but then I happened to stop by Shaz's blog and after reading this post about offensive behavior and which happened to link to IMuslim's very informative post pertaining to the Rachel Ray/ Dunkin Donuts story , I decided that I would write this post. I mentioned a while back about a new fan to my blog, that I have influenced to possibly start her own blog. Well that fan happens to be a really cool lady I work with. She was helping me finish up some work in my department when one of our "favorite customers" came in as usual she proceeded to provide us with more information than was necessary as to why she was there. Now don't get me wrong I don't mind having a brief conversation with customers about themselves, but I am not a particular fan of this woman due to the fact that she is somewhat of a no-it-all who does not exercise any form of restraint in her opinions no matter how stereotypical, bigoted, or offensive they may be. Usually this type of person would receive a dose of my opinion right back at them, but she talks in a manner in which she seems to be oblivious to the fact that she is offending anyone. I usually politely say my piece and continue working, but now I see her and I try to avoid her if possible. Today I did not have that option. So after informing us why she was in there, she was about to walk away when she said I was at the social security building the other day and I saw a lady in a full burqa and I thought, "I don't understand why she does it, I know she is hot." Now being that I have dealt with this lady many times before I knew her comment was not out of concern, but one "of your different and you need to be like me" attitude. So I politely but firmly explained to her that that is not necessarily true, because depending on the type of cloth used, it can be cooler than having your skin exposed directly to the sun. I also stated that you have to walk in someone else shoes before you can make certain judgements. My co-worker, who is not Muslim shook her head in agreement. The customer disagreed (of course) and said that she likes to have as little clothes on as possible when she is hot. When she left my co-worker said, "I see what you go through, you handled it well though because that could not have been me."Some people cannot understand how this comment about being hot is offensive to me, that's because they have never walked in my footsteps. They have not been given stares and oddball questions like, "how do you guys have babies?" and "Do you guys get menstrual cycles?" I have heard some of the most stupidest things! When I was younger I did not worry about dressing in a certain manner as not to attract too much public attention to certain parts of my body, it was not until I came of age and started developing that I chose to adhere to my "religious" guidelines and cover those areas when out in public. So I understand how it feels to have the sun beating down on you skin directly and also what it feels like to have the sun beating down on your skin through cloth. I have walked in the path of both perspectives. The reason why I take it offensively is because I have dealt with public ridicule at many times in my life; how many times have I heard someone yell from a moving car, "take all that Sh*t off!" Or been asked really sarcastically, "aren't you hot with all that stuff on?!" This type of behavior because I choose to cover my hair and legs and arms in public. I could have on a normal pair of pants and a top, but I am considered to be soo weird by some lol. Come on it's 97 degrees outside everyone is feeling hot not just me! People just like to have someone to pick on to make themselves feel better about their not-so-perfect-lives. Which brings me to my second thing that occurred that same day....One of my coworkers was discussing the presidential elections and the candidates with me and another coworker, and she commented how if Barrack Obama was to take office people should not expect everything to be perfect. She stated that since 9''11 we were at serious risk because we are at war with people who do not like us and are jealous of us etc. So we have to continue the war anyway because we are not safe. Well there are 2 issues that are touchy subjects especially at work. One is religion and the other is politics. These issues are not the best thing to debate about at work because people get very firm and emotional about their viewpoint, and at work it is about the team effort of getting the job done for the good of the company as a whole, and when some people disagree they take it to another level of hatred and dislike. That is why you have to be careful who you discuss these two topics with at work. If you know that the person can handle a conversation/debate with dignity and respect to agree to disagree without sacrificing the work relationship thereafter, then by all means engage in a educated discussion. However if this person is going to get emotional and personal about it and afterwards have animosity towards you and therefore compromises the work environment, then they are probably not the type of person you would want to hold that topic of discussion with. Anyway back to my present story, after stating her opinion, and turning to me for agreement, I decided to give my coworker my opinion, no matter how unpatriotic she may have seen it. I strongly disagree with people who think that as Americans we can do no wrong and are always completely and infallibly correct in our actions. I think that people who just spew out what the media feeds them and tells them is true are seriously doing themselves an injustice. Likewise anyone who claims to follow the American dream and ideals are actually being unpatriotic when they say this. You are suppose to have the right to think how you want to think and not be persecuted or treated with injustice if you think otherwise. But more often now people who do not agree with what the government is doing are given a hard time or are often taunted and labeled traitors by the so-called "Patriots." I think we have a responsibility to treat people how we want to be treated and that some of the tension we have with other nations has in some part to do with our actions as well. I know because I have suffered discrimination at the hands of some of my own countrymen over the years as well. I also believe that anyone who thinks that our government is completely perfect and innocent is delusional. I think that our government as well as governments abroad are in need of reform and are very corrupt. Power and greed for wealth are serious issues that are often abused even by some well-meaning individuals. So open your eyes and your ears and see things from all viewpoints before determining what you believe. Don't just take your daily dosage of the truth from others.

Things that are on my mind

1. The political race---I am not much of a voter mainly because I don't buy a word that politicians are saying majority of the time, but this race is very interesting many people are expecting to see some sort of historical change in the presidency, but I believe they are in disillusion. If I am wrong about this I will be surprised. I was in my dad's car the other day and he was listening to the Tom Joyner morning show on the radio, (which I really do not like) and as usual Tom had Tavis Smiley on the show for a quick segment about the whole political campaign. I must say I enjoy seeing what Tavis Smiley has to say even if I don't agree with it all. Tavis is a very intelligent and informed man, without being too uptight. He commented on how the topic of the disparity between the classes in this country is not really being addressed by any of the candidates. He stated that most many people are struggling to just stay alive, while the rich is just getting richer. I agree totally with his statements. Everywhere prices are going up on everything. Even the price of something as simple as a candy bar is skyrocketing! I was in Bottom Dollar Grocery (BTW they suck and should change their name because they are not that inexpensive) not too long ago and was shocked to find that a Hershey bar was 75 cents! That's what I would pay at 7-eleven! Meanwhile we are being told that the price increases have to do with the "illegal" war that is going on, even though some companies have become even more rich directly from the war, including some of those politicians who have a vested interest in some of those companies. Yes the economic issues are getting worse and it definitely needs to be made a real priority. 2. Respect---There is a lack of it at my job. It is the main issue that makes me hate working there and at places like it. There is no respect for what we do, as well as no respect for us as individuals. Just the other night I had to very verbally remind a coworker that I would not tolerate disrespect, especially from someone who I show courtesy and consideration to. I have been disrespected and discriminated by people many times tracing as far back as childhood, and when I became an adult capable of making my own decisions and taking care of my affairs, I decided to never accept blatant disrespect ESPECIALLY in my work environment. I hate when people think because I am reserved (only at work ! lol) and try to be polite, that I will bend to whatever form of abuse they will give me. Unfortunately for them they are quite surprised to find that that is not the case. 3.The bad drivers here in V.A.---OMG sometimes I just want to ram people in the back of their cars lol! They drive like idiots, and not in a way that is controlled chaos like you will find in Philly, New York or D.C., but like fools who need to go back to drivers ed. classes. If one more person nearly causes an accident with me, I'll....well I don't know what I'll do lol. I'll admit sometimes I find myself almost succumbing to a mild case of road rage often, but my good sense stops me from acting out on my fantasies. 4. Finally I have been trying to think of the good things that are going on in my life---I have been happy about the recent trips to N.C. I enjoy the area and especially visiting my friend. I am planning another trip there at the end of the month GOD-willing. Why not? it is the only trip I can afford lol I just pay for gas and few odds and ends and the rest is free. I don't have to pay for a hotel or anything so that is the perfect break for a broke chick like me! Also I am happy I have met someone of possible interest to me for now anyway lol. Things change ya know. I also had a couple of ego boosters when I found out that 2 of the sample handbags that were given to my baby sisters were admired by some of their peers (I guess I really need to pursue it more) and when I invited another viewer to my blog she startd reading it, and now I have possibly inspired her to start her own. Yeah that's cool :) *If you want to check out Tavis's website click on his name in the post, and it will take you to the link