Stupidity is alive and well

[sharonga]

At the age most of us are, we have all seen and felt changes in attitudes when it comes to religion, politics, race, sexual preference. I have thought myself and my friends open minded. I tend to stay away from closed minded people. So I just believe and trust that my generation "goes with the flow" and respects all human beings no matter what their religion, race, or sexual preference. How innocent and dumb of me. As fast as things change, they really don't. My husband was playing golf today when his friend told him that a team mate told him that the stick which retrieves balls from holes is called "a Jew Stick". Meaning, Jewish people will go the extra mile to get their balls back. We are of the Jewish Faith . I find this statement disgusting, prejudiced, racist and anything else that I do not believe in. Also while I am at it........I have a mixed race granddaughter who lives in the area. She is beautiful and wonderful. Their are a lot of STUPID, IGNORANT small minded people who make horrible racist remarks and jokes to us. You don't know who you are talking to. Not everyone agrees with your jokes and opinions. Keep them to yourself. I have been horribly hurt by some of your remarks. WHY say them. I am a good person, I believe in G-d, I would never ever say anything to hurt you even if I didn't like you!!!! I have been so happy here in The Villages, believing the best in people. I would hate to think that people are just pretending to be kind. Please watch what you say, you never know who you are talking to.

[Polar Bear]

There will always be a few, Sharonga. Don't let them get to you or get you down. You ARE a good person.

[eweissenbach]

I am amazed by the outdated and ugly attitudes many people still have regarding such things. Don't feel bad for yourself, feel sorry for them and their friends and family, who have to live with such ignorance.

[redwitch]

I'm with Ed. I'm German (not of German descent, born and bred German). The other day, someone actually used a stiff arm and said "Sieg Heil" to me. To say it was offensive and hurtful was putting it mildly. My mother's family all died in the camps (anti-Nazi, not because of religion or ethnic background). I had a choice -- to let it keep eating at me or to go on with my life and be proud of my heritage. I chose to be proud of being German, of being American, of being me. Sharon, stand tall, be proud, teach your beautiful granddaughter to stand tall and be proud of her heritage. You can't fix stupid.

[BS Beef]

I am amazed by the outdated and ugly attitudes many people still have regarding such things. Don't feel bad for yourself, feel sorry for them and their friends and family, who have to live with such ignorance.

I couldn't agree more. I personally see/hear far less of it. Still it is literally jaw dropping when it happens. I'm not great at how to deal with it. I tend to deal with it sarcastically. "Your kidding me, right? You honestly still talk/think that way." If it's someone I know and have a relationship with I have no problem laying into them. "You're a d!ck, what's wrong with you". Not saying that is a good or bad way I just don't know the answer of how to deal with ignorance like that. I suspect there's not a right or wrong way, I think it probably differs for everyone.

[sharonga]

Thank you for your kind remarks, makes me feel much better.

[twinklesweep]

I am amazed by the outdated and ugly attitudes many people still have regarding such things. Don't feel bad for yourself, feel sorry for them and their friends and family, who have to live with such ignorance.

As BS Beef said below, I too couldn't agree more with the above. However...

I couldn't agree more. I personally see/hear far less of it. Still it is literally jaw dropping when it happens. I'm not great at how to deal with it. I tend to deal with it sarcastically. "Your kidding me, right? You honestly still talk/think that way." If it's someone I know and have a relationship with I have no problem laying into them. "You're a d!ck, what's wrong with you". Not saying that is a good or bad way I just don't know the answer of how to deal with ignorance like that. I suspect there's not a right or wrong way, I think it probably differs for everyone.

... in relation to the comment above (my emphasis), I have to disagree. I have NEVER heard so much outright racist language and so many bigoted comments, including so-called jokes, in my entire life up north and traveling through much of the country as I have routinely heard�and continue to hear�right here in TV, though I'd have to say it's been only during the past few years! This may change again in another few years, but in the meantime, the level of disrespect that the comments represent never fails to shock me....

How do I handle it? It's never anything said directly to me but rather in my presence, and all I feel I can do is ignore it and remind myself of the connection between "ignore" and "ignorance." I agree that I would certainly say something if it were coming from someone who I have a relationship with, but so far that hasn't happened. These are not people I would choose as friends anyway.

[2BNTV]

Hatred hurts the hater, not the hated.

This display of ignorance still remains in our society today as it did so many years ago. Thankfully, most people have been enlightened, as it tends to happen less.

I see why your upset but you can't fix people who do not think before they open their mouths. I would never be friends with a person like this, as I would be embarrassed, by their display of ignorance. It saddens me to know, they are still some jerks in todays society.

Don't make his problem become your problem, as you can't fix stupid.

[l2ridehd]

And on another note, I have played golf for 25 plus years and this is the first time I have ever heard it called that. I have heard duffers club, that so and so needs to get his ball retriever re-griped, and a few others that refer to a persons level of play, but this is a new one. So most people don't fall into that group of dumb. Just ignore them, most of us have been called worse things.

[mickey100]

There are ignorant people everywhere. We were in one of the rec centers the other day and listened to a group of old men making racist comments about black people � fried chicken, shooting them etc. It was awful and my grandkids were there to listen to it. you can just imagine how we felt.. We did report them to the recreation person that was working.

[Madelaine Amee]

As BS Beef said below, I too couldn't agree more with the above. However...

... in relation to the comment above (my emphasis), I have to disagree. I have NEVER heard so much outright racist language and so many bigoted comments, including so-called jokes, in my entire life up north and traveling through much of the country as I have routinely heard�and continue to hear�right here in TV, though I'd have to say it's been only during the past few years!

Unfortunately, I have to agree with your comment regarding dreadful comments made quite openly here in TV. Is it the age group? Is it the lack of education in the group making the comments? Is it socio-economic? Is it the areas and work places they came from? Who knows, but it is sickening.

Let me add this too - some of the comments made about women are incredible. Just sit outside at Panera's in LSL and listen to some of the old men talking quite loudly about the women walking past ................

[Mikeod]

Years ago, a professor made a comment about people who display prejudice and I've never forgotten it. To me, it puts them at the level they belong. His comment was "Well, that classifies them." When I hear someone saying hurtful things, that's what comes to mind. Take the high road and let them wallow in their own filth.

[asianthree]

I get pm'd about my name more than is needed...Asian seems to upset people

[JB in TV]

We had a nearby couple, interracial marriage, who were bascically run out of The Villages. They bought new, and received such racist comments from another neighbor (ajoining property)... they were made to feel so unwelcomed...(I won't go into details) that they sold their brand new home in just a few months and moved out of state. They were such nice people. It saddened all the rest of the neighbors so much, and really put a negative feeling about some of the folks in our heads as well.

The parties involved on the receiving end may have been over-sensitive, and its possible that they had other reasons for moving that they didn't share.

Just a sad sad thing.

[Halle]

I have to agree with the posters who have stated that they have heard more ignorant comments concerning race,religion and sexual preference in The Villages than I have any place I have lived. My brother was visiting last week as we played golf with a couple it came up in conversation that we our native Floridians and our father was born in Key West. The woman made a comment about her aunt leaving Key West when the Cubans came my response, we are Cuban.

[perrjojo]

It has been said, "you can't fix stupid!"

[buzzy]

People come to The Villages from all walks of life. Perhaps they have never mingled with folks of different religions or ethnic backgrounds. Maybe their behavior is perfectly normal back where they came from. Does not make it right, in this day and age, but may explain their attitudes and actions. Can't let that ruin your day, they are probably in the minority here.

[dillywho]

We can all be offended by something or someone at some point. It all comes down to how we handle it. Sometimes people are just thoughtless without meaning to be. Those who do those things with the intent to hurt are just broadcasting their ignorance and are not worth anyone's time.

Just hold your head high and be proud of who you are and teach your children to do the same. Pity them for their ignorance and leave it there.

[dillywho]

There are ignorant people everywhere. We were in one of the rec centers the other day and listened to a group of old men making racist comments about black people � fried chicken, shooting them etc. It was awful and my grandkids were there to listen to it. you can just imagine how we felt.. We did report them to the recreation person that was working.

There was a guy at our workplace that had the best response to racists that I have ever heard and have never forgotten what he said: "To me, everyone is black. I can only judge others by how they treat and accept me."

You see, Mike is blind.

[Matzy]

Sharonga, I learned, even sometimes can't believe it, that some people saying words without THINKING, very often they don't know what they are talking about. I think you should be proud about your religion and ethnic background, and just be very proud to be YOUrself.

[twinklesweep]

I get pm'd about my name more than is needed...Asian seems to upset people

I cannot even grasp anyone doing that; hopefully you're not letting THEIR problem become yours....


I have to agree with the posters who have stated that they have heard more ignorant comments concerning race,religion and sexual preference in The Villages than I have any place I have lived. My brother was visiting last week as we played golf with a couple it came up in conversation that we our native Floridians and our father was born in Key West. The woman made a comment about her aunt leaving Key West when the Cubans came my response, we are Cuban.

Great response! Sadly too often people like the woman are too thick to even grasp your message; hopefully, those who do get your point feel like two cents, but I wouldn't count on it....

[Golfingnut]

I have family and friends back home that still use the terms of ignorance. I hear them on the golf course here in TV, although less often as time passes. My take is it is based on fear of change. One human instinct from the beginning of time has been to be aware of anyone different than you. 5000 years ago it was a survival tool. Humans still have it in our DNA. More important than education is travel. I was no different when I left Iowa back in the 60's, but travel opened my eyes to the fact that prejudice in any form is the tool of ignorant people.

[Peggy D]

The Villages may be DisneyWorld for adults, but we do have our share of Grumpy(s) !

[Abster]

My husband and I own a home here that is not our primary residence. We've met several people since being here. People need to remember this is no different than living anywhere else. Too many residents want to believe TV is the perfect world. Maybe it's only an older world and many are out of touch. TV appears to have the same problems you would find in any other small town. Enjoy yourselves. If you meet someone that offends you, stay away.

[Parker]

Sharonga, you do know that the vast majority of us here don't feel like that, right? All of us have something that others make fun of. Personally, I just stay away from socially 'stinky' people. They foul the air but don't invade the soul.