Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby
This is not surprising. I learned a couple of years ago that it's a really -bad- racist thing to touch a black man's face, if you're a white person and the black man didn't give you permission in advance. I had no idea at all, and I had to apologize for the insult. I was happy to see my co-worker return from the army. Hugs = okay. Handshakes = fine and dandy. Reaching to cup a hand on the man's cheek as an expression of affection = taboo.** (edit: by cup a hand on the man's cheek" I mean in the same way you'd do it with your grandson when he comes to visit. "Oh look at you, Junior, you've grown into such a handsome young man!" That kind of thing.)
I did know about Juneteenth, since New Haven has socially progressive renaissance periods every dozen years or so, so these types of festivals are publicized as events in the newspaper. But there are lots of things that I don't know about, or know but don't understand, or know and understand but cannot experience for myself. I embrace the differences, since that's really all I -can- do.
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It appears that is all any of us can do. It is tricky to do the "right thing" and say the "right thing". No one in this world wants to think that they have failed at simple kindness but it is happening to me almost every night when I watch the news. I don't like feeling like that. I can't remember ever having any negative interaction with someone of another race in my 80 years. The most negative interactions I have had with others have been on this forum. My husband says that is because no rules exist when people are anonymous and do not have to stand for their thoughts. I have not really known well many people of other races, and it isn't on purpose. I have learned that you can do your best and some people find you quite nice and others not so much. sigh.