Learn to Listen

I’ve not yet watched this in its entirety, I’m telling you this upfront. I’ll also tell you I’ve watched several of his podcast, and they are excellent, thorough, thought provoking. Salty language, but whatever, I’m not easily offended. Now that I’ve said that, I’ll say this: I can think of no one more qualified than these three guys to discuss race relations. 

 

I’ll be watching, listening, and learning. 

 

And do me a favor, when anyone, of any race has a thought about their childhood, THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, shut the heck up, don’t shout them down. JUST LISTEN. LEARN. 

 

I read a short excerpt from the protest on the square yesterday. A white woman dared give her experience. I knew without reading another word what the crowd response would be, because this crowd did NOT want to hear anything other than what made them feel good at the time, only one view. This is what’s happening around the nation, adults not listening, and unfortunately they’re for the most part young adults. Civil discourse, making changes, moving forward peacefully will be give and take, having the hard conversations, whether anyone wants to listen or not. Plain and simple.

 

Learn to listen, rather than listening to respond. Just listen. 

 

Maggie Rose and I were asked twice yesterday, while standing for our officers, by apparent reporters, if I would speak with them. Are you FREAKING kidding me? I smiled and gently shook my head. No. 

 

I sure hope those who marched yesterday [white people], go to the areas where America is struggling most and CONTRIBUTE. Act, not by setting up your privileged butt in Seattle, demanding spoiled brats, wanting everything handed to you, but by WORKING little by little, bit by bit to make an everlasting change. Learn to camp without needing the very people come rescue you when you forgot your pants, or tents, or your Sonic ice, who you proclaim are racist. A fire starts in a waste container? Put it out yourselves. 

 

Yeah, I’m angry. 

 

We’ve been fortunate here, with peaceful protests, and I’m grateful. 

 

(As a side note...a gentleman was reported, at the protest, as saying he’s lived here only four years and been pulled over six times...I’ve lived here over four years and I’ve been pulled over AT LEAST five times. Guess what? EVERY SINGLE TIME I was doing exactly what the officer said I was doing. Every. Time. I don’t know this guy’s story. My word of wisdom, however, is own your behavior. I’ve had black friends HERE in Jackson, pulled over. Were they concerned the color of their skin would cause issues? Absolutely. There was no issue I was told. Didn’t mean the encounter didn’t worry them, but everything was fine, they did what they were requested to do.) And btw, they said they were guilty, of speeding. Yep, sure did. No citation given. 

 

My two cents for today, take it or leave it. If you want to talk civilly, I’m all ears. And boobs and butt and hair. Whatever.