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Suspicion.........
We as a country...as a culture...have become more and more suspicious of
each other and each others motives. Oh we have always had our biases
and prejudices.
We formed various caricatures of each other and other groups. I use the term
caricature because the images we hold go far beyond stereotype and often
bear little resemblance to reality. For a long time we saw African Americans
as a cross between Amos and Andy and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson with a bit
of Allen "Farina" Hoskins thrown in. All Native Americans were seen as
Tonto or something out of a Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.
Italian Americans as Mob Bosses who owned restaurants and Irish Americans
as either NYC Cops or Priests (and sometimes both). You get the picture.
And the same for those who are poor or badly off.
And we make judgments based on these "pictures" that we have. Like the Black
who appears well off has to be scamming the system or the family that is down
on their luck that dresses "too nice".
And since 9/11 anyone with dark skin who dresses "differently" or has an unusual
name...must be a terrorist or in league with them.
Anyone who does not fit the caricature we have picked out - we have become
increasingly suspicious of. I know because it happens to me as well. I have seen
families sitting on the side of the road or parking lot - holding a cardboard sign
asking for help.
But they seemed dressed a little too nice. Not like the photo above. So I
immediately wonder...are they really that badly off or are they taking advantage
of the current situation.
Such is the times we live in. And so it goes.....
C
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And where it's goin', no one knows...
November 11, 2009 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
ack!
November 11, 2009 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink