I would not step into someone else's conversation but I do not tolerate someone speaking to me in a demeaning manner about others based on sexual preference, colour, nationality, faith. I have actually managed to cause someone to stop and think about what they were saying right in front of me. And I certainly won't tolerate it if my grandchildren are present; I will not teach them to be silent by my silence. Sometimes the situation calls for me to just walk away, the confrontation may not be worth it, however I cannot stand idly by. Wayne was 81 and raised in a different time but he sure learned quickly what NOT to say around me. And he was a good man, it was just what he'd heard all his life, casual racism. Good words.
My father-in-law often said things that were casually racist. He had no idea they weren't okay. I picked my battles with him. He too was a good man but a product of a generation that was raised with ingrained racism.
I would not step into someone else's conversation but I do not tolerate someone speaking to me in a demeaning manner about others based on sexual preference, colour, nationality, faith. I have actually managed to cause someone to stop and think about what they were saying right in front of me. And I certainly won't tolerate it if my grandchildren are present; I will not teach them to be silent by my silence. Sometimes the situation calls for me to just walk away, the confrontation may not be worth it, however I cannot stand idly by. Wayne was 81 and raised in a different time but he sure learned quickly what NOT to say around me. And he was a good man, it was just what he'd heard all his life, casual racism. Good words.
My father-in-law often said things that were casually racist. He had no idea they weren't okay. I picked my battles with him. He too was a good man but a product of a generation that was raised with ingrained racism.
People are odd about that. Love the quote, so true.
Thanks, Connie.