I took the image and suggested prompt below and turned it on its head. As my blog’s primary purpose is to offer my views to my granddaughters, my interest is in their futures as truly strong women who believe in themselves. I would fail them if I suggested a vantage point, that I completely disagree with that suggests they should feel aggrieved or behave like entitled ‘victims’ of imaginary forces SO some may be offended. Hey… so be it.
The picture above seeks to capture your heart, On terms now used more often to split us apart. Women are special in their own beautiful design. Their different abilities from men work just fine. Equity tells us we need the same results, It’s our diversity and efforts that term truly insults. Our sizes and shapes don’t need to conform. In Nature uneven potential’s the norm. If you lift up a frog, it won’t learn to fly Because all his value is swimming, that’s why. Our potential is honored by being treated the same, Not by deciding who gets a boost in the game. Equality tries to promote sunny days For everyone hoping to shine their own ways But well-meaning people take an odd pride, Thinking working achievements require a ‘ride’. When fudging one’s gifts or in granting a perk, Equity values no claim to your own work. You’re not entitled to be all the same height. It’s your equalchance to grow that’s your right. The big no-brainer is we aren’t all the same. Embrace your own talents for winning your game. Equity enforces shortcuts chosen for some they enhance. Equality promises you’ll all get a fair chance.
Once upon a time a hard working community came together and labored side-by-side on a common project of setting stones, with loving care, in order to build a fountain unlike any mankind had ever known and after several generations and blood, sweat, and tears, they succeeded.
People from all over the world marveled at the fountain and that community- virtuously generous- shared access to the abundant water with all.
After a time, more strangers entered the community than there were original members, and builders, and not having invested in the toil and pride in the unique fountain, many disrespected and defaced it while trying to claim as much crystal clean water as they could.
A great debate took place among the elders with some deciding that sharing the water ought to be limited to only those who showed respect for the sacrifice and love that went into building the fountain and others complained that to limit access, by discriminating who gets water under any condition, would not be ‘fair’.
The fairness argument won and it wasn’t long before the fountain began to dry up and crumble from overuse and disrespect by those who had not invested time nor treasure in its construction, so, those strangers simply moved on seeking another generous community to plunder leaving that once happy community forever changed.
Even today that sad tale serves as a powerful warning: to discriminate between gratefulness and opportunism is prudent to survival and cries for ‘fairness’ are best left to 3-year-olds.
A standard deck of 52 playing cards was hanging out on a lovely table in a worn but comfortable case when a deck of Star Wars collector cards came along. The Star Wars cards were the same size and weight as the playing cards.
“We know you play rummy and it’s a popular game indeed. You get to have a fine cover and are better cared for than we because Star Wars cards are not as popular. Actually, we are just starting to become noticed and desire the same treatment as you. Being kept in a case and played on a felt table is the dream of all cards. It is the best way for cards to be treated.”
The 52 looked at the Star Wars cards. “I had not realized that all cards were not cared for in the same manner. You certainly deserve fine treatment. Come sit beside me. I’d like to help you find a nice case to hold you too.”
The Star Wars cards frowned. “I want to be just like you. Let me slip into your deck and share YOUR case.”
“I don’t understand?” said 52. “If you slip into my deck all the rules will change. I will have to become crowded and the old games, that I love, will take on a new meaning. The new games will take years to develop and we will both lose our original identity.”
“I don’t care. I am as valuable as you and want what you have, NOW. You are so arrogant 52. If you do not give me your comfort, I must assume that you just hate Star Wars cards. I thought you were nice?”
“Please, it is unkind of you to think in order to have a nice case and fine table that you need to take mine. I would be happy to help you establish your own table and I want you to know all the same “card comforts” that I enjoy. But taking mine is not the answer. I’m comfortable with rummy and, in time, you will be comfortable with your own game.”
The Star Wars cards stormed off while calling 52 a prejudiced, selfish deck.
The End
BTW- The Star Wars cards went to court and were awarded occupancy in 52’s case, at least in Massachusetts. Needless to say, 52 decks everywhere are angry and no one is exactly sure how to play rummy in Massachusetts. At the very least, the games are way more complicated now.
English: A Bully Free Zone sign – School in Berea, Ohio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
My sister and I just had a conversation about bullying which made me realize what a complex subject it is. The discussion began, as most bullying discussions do, with a specific example of a kid she knows who is a “victim” of bullying.
Now, you may ask why I put victim in quotation marks? Well, it seems in cases of bullying often there are many players and the victim just may not be easily identified. Don’t shake your head. It isn’t always the big scruffy kid and it rarely is totally one-sided.
No, it is not alright to pursue and badger someone incessantly.
No, it is never okay to hit someone.
How can we be sure that they, the “bullier” and the bullied, are victims of the purest form? Are we to believe that in our society the preponderance of bullying involves one weak, unsuspecting victim and one mean spirited person who picked them at random?
C’mon.
There’s a quote from the 60s TV show Adam-12 that seems appropriate here. The two hero/police officers are standing beside their police cruiser after a day of crime fighting. One turns to the other and says, “The only thing that is black and white in our job is this car.”
Kids who are small, girls who cry, people of minority status, people with physical infirmities, etc. start off with the sympathy barometer needle tipped on their side, and they are aware of it. It shouldn’t matter that much because we are all aware of their “edge” but it has become a powerful tool in our modern, politically correct society.
Example:
Once upon a time, if Earl was an unfriendly sort of kid who tormented others, Earl would not get invited to Birthday Parties or be asked to play games. Earl just might have a chance to see the error of his ways by the natural course of things and learn to play nicely.
Nowadays, Earl must be included. Many Kindergarten classes insist that all kids are invited to play, no exceptions. The natural order of consequences are disturbed and Earl realizes he need not get-along at all. If anyone attempts to straighten Earl out, and Earl has a special need, he realizes he is ALL powerful because, after all, the kids are automatically (Get the black and white deal?) discriminating against him. Earl is not stupid and learns that he need not even try as long as he can use the “D” word. Ah, discrimination is the most powerful word.
I know! All you can imagine are poor special need kids or minority kids huddled in a corner abused and forgotten. We must make sure that they are treated fairly! No we don’t. Their siblings and friends will be there. The only kids who need protecting are those with the inability to learn social lessons, such as, autistic kids.
Little kids are not like that and I maintain, the Big kids without compassion were once little kids who never learned the social lessons. I trust little kids more than anyone else (except for dogs) to have compassion. Small children almost always like anyone who plays nicely. Don’t forget, minority and special needs kids are capable of being brats. Being excluded for bad behavior would be the best medicine for any and all brats. Besides, the perceived weaklings are more than their disadvantage alone. By considering them disadvantaged we label them as disadvantaged!
Gosh, I remember being protected from getting hurt on a baseball field because I was a girl. I thought our society was interested in equality. Wearing labels just works contrary to that, don’t you think?
As for bullying, this blanket protection of the crying and weak has a direct hand in the increasing incidences. To step in when kids are “at odds” keeps them from learning the social lessons they will need. Which are:
play fair and consider the feelings of others or you will not get along and have friends.
being too sensitive doesn’t work and it’s your own job to get along. (Just this morning, one day care child kept telling me another wasn’t “being nice” to her. Upon investigating the crime, I realized, the child who was complaining just wanted the other one’s attention. My answer was, “Well, invite her nicely to play.”)
a person’s character is who they are, not any other variable.
Everything is NOT always fair and that is a fact.
While I am making this old-fashioned and controversial presentation, I want to add another insult to the politically correct utopians. Yes, there are varying degrees of being a victim too.
WHAT? <GASP> A victim is a victim!
No…a person who leaves his/her keys in their car and has it stolen is less of a victim than one who has their car hot wired and stolen. Stealing IS wrong and shouldn’t happen. NEWS FLASH…it does happen.Take some responsibility people.
And if you swim in a canal in Florida, there’s a chance an alligator may bite you too. What a world, what a world! 🙂
First, there isn’t a poll worth a darn. They are too variable in the way the questions are asked, where and when, as well.
If you agree with the poll, it is a good one.
If the poll is contrary to your belief, well, what do they know?
Another thing, numbers lie. Yup, they do. Darn them!
Go to a bank and ask for a mortgage. Give them your numbers…get the mortgage. Oops…you Can afford the house BUT no birthdays,anniversaries,take-out food,Christmas, auto repairs etc. What the heck?
Numbers can be manipulated more than bleeding heart liberals. You can do the math but why doesn’t it work. Yes, love is NOT the answer to all things either.
Sounds great…who could be FOR war, FOR debt, FOR being poor?
So, why don’t we just all be poor so no one who IS feels left out?
Well folks. That’s where we are headed. I am in political mode today so if you’ve tuned out…I understand.
If you are still listening?
You either agree with me or you are really insulted and want to add another hatefully “paraphrased” rant of the right, just to keep your juices flowing. After all, if you didn’t think the “right” was so evil, you’d have nothing to do but look at the problem?
Ain’t I a stinker?
I just want to know from anyone, how does one continue forever(or happily ever-after), when they spend more than they take-in?
Simple question.
If you answered, they cannot go on forever. What will the eventual outcome be?
Just asking?
Maybe if we spend more money (we don’t have) , we can put off the ugly truth awhile?
Yes, you just may…
OK kids, this is tough. If everyone is poor and the government shares the wealth, what is that called in the encyclopedia?
Fairness? No.
Brotherhood? No.
Can you say Socialism boys and girls?
Ha! Wish it was that simple to explain…our kids will know it all too well one day.
Wish they could see this headline. “Bad ole conservatives tried to ruin your day so we liberals ruined your future.”
I’m spending the weekend in the woods. At least, my head won’t be in the sand…
Since so many other online writers have blogs dedicated to their writings, I’ve decided to jump onto the bandwagon. All posts published here will be either fiction or poetry, some new, and some previously published on various places on the Internet. Some of my works are conventional, and some are quirky. All fiction posted here, except for fan fiction, will include the letters "rose" somewhere, as a tribute to my Baba.
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