Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 1784610)

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.

Originally Posted by butch69 (Post 1785156)

Ever heard of Google?

Originally Posted by Pmelo (Post 1785176)

Originally Posted by Syd2008 (Post 1785292)

Originally Posted by coffeebean (Post 1784602)

Never heard of Juneteenth until this latest uprising of BLM.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1785152)

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.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1785152)

Originally Posted by bmit16 (Post 1785136)

How is this Juneteenth possible? These latest protest have taught us that the Civil war history did not occur and everything we celebrate from the Civil War is racist and insensitive. So since this day of celebration is a result of the Civil War, it must cease immediately before it causes irreparable harm to people and results in violent rioting, looting, and vandalism.

Originally Posted by kenoc7 (Post 1785448)

Originally Posted by bmit16 (Post 1785136)

How is this Juneteenth possible? These latest protest have taught us that the Civil war history did not occur and everything we celebrate from the Civil War is racist and insensitive. So since this day of celebration is a result of the Civil War, it must cease immediately before it causes irreparable harm to people and results in violent rioting, looting, and vandalism.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 1785404)

There are any number of things that are acceptable in some cultures but are considered very bad or offensive in others. Simply shaking hands is unacceptable in some cultures, while it is (generally) o.k. and common here. In New Zealand, for example, a formal Maori greeting would be terrifying to most of us.
Someone has a tag line that says something about "good people doing nothing" being bad. But, there are times when doing nothing is very much the best thing to do. Even those who have done a lot of traveling don't know all the ways to behave in different cultural situations. When confronted with something culturally unfamiliar, try to learn and understand. That is the best you can do.