1 post tagged “discrimination”

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  What's your strongest memory or impression of King's contributions?

Sean and Stefan say...

Rather than talk about MLK Jr.'s many specific accomplishments, we want to talk about what MLK Jr. stood for in terms of eliminating prejudice. With that, here is a story that Stefan's own mother relayed to us. It proves that when exposed, prejudice can be killed by a sharp wit and a quick mind.

In the early 1970s, Carolyn was attending a bowling league event, when one of the women from another team approached her and said, "Carolyn, you never told me you were Jewish! I thought all Jews had horns."  Carolyn looked at her, waited a beat, smiled, and quietly said, "Oh, I had those removed years ago.  That's why I wear my hair long now to cover the scars."  Through humor and sarcasm, Carolyn exposed this neighbor's prejudice and killed it in the light of day. The woman blushed and never commented about it again.

This comment reminds us of our own situation.  Many a time people have asked one of us about something and we have turned it back with a quick comment that only embarrasses the questioner with their own silliness.  One thing that is always asked is "Is he gay?" which is usually met with "I didn't see his name mentioned in the last newsletter, but I'll keep checking for you."  In the end, those people either became better friends or at least respected us more because they realize that when you get down to it, we are all just individuals who live life in a multitude of ways. 

MLK Jr. stood not only for the fight against racism against African-Americans, but dedicated his life to eradicating all prejudice - gender, anti-Semitism, homophobia, xenophobia, and against all races (including white/caucasian).  Because, regardless of background, we are all guilty of prejudice, and we must fight it together to live in peace in the nation and on this Earth. That is what we celebrate today.

Carolyn as she looked in the early 1970s.  This shot was taken on a canal ride in Amsterdam.  Note the Marlo Thomas "That Girl" flip 'do - it certainly hid her "scars" well!