It's sad to say, but I always hesitate when I'm about to write a post like this one. My only wish is that those of you reading this whom have the privilege of knowing me, will read my posts with the intentions that they were meant. It's also sad that, even though most people who read this are friends and family, I continually have to write a disclaimer somewhere in a controversial post. My baby brother and I both know that if you feel deep down like you should do something, then you probably should do it. And so I write.
I know that some people in my family will not like this post. I know that some people will be called out, and I'm not really sorry about that. I also know that many people live their day to day lives in denial in some form, me in included. With that being said, if you still want to read the post, be my guest. As previously mentioned, I often use this blog as an outlet as well as a journal. I know that many will wish that I would put some cute pictures of the kids up, and leave topics like this alone. Oh well, too bad.
There I was, in a dark and gloomy snide field. Not really, I was just in my living room. I was sitting here thinking about things that I think about sometimes. I know it's shocking. I have been having a hard time lately with this particular topic. I think this is due in part to the Holidays, when we are all supposed to be giving and helping and loving each other. I'm not sure why people don't do this all year round, or maybe they do and it's just more during the holidays.
Either way, I am aware that some people do it more than others. And I'll be grateful for those who normally wouldn't be giving, turning the table's, even if it's only once a year. Back to the point. I'm not even really sure what the point is as of this moment. I guess I just get tired of people stereotyping and labeling others. I think it all boils down to pride, ignorance, and just plain stubbornness. Don't get me wrong, there are good forms of pride and stubbornness, and maybe even ignorance, if you really wanna play devil's advocate here. But overall, I think these things are harmful to ourselves and others.
I'll quit beating around the bush. If any of you asked my mother if I've always been a big fan of Mother Teresa, she'd say a resounding YES. Even from a young age, I remember the kid's Time magazine publishing a huge story the year she died (1997). I always idolized her and wanted to do humanitarian work like her and was heart-broken, as a 12 year old to hear, of her passing. Spirits like hers are immortal to kids, you see. I never cared what religion she was, her nationality, her height, weight or her complexion. I could care less. Those are not the measure of a person anyway. Not to get all MLKjr-ish here, but it's the person's character that matters right????
It baffles me to think that certain people feel that only certain religious denominations, cultures, races, ethnicities, are capable of charity. Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun, she was also an Albanian, and a citizen of India. Now that I'm old enough to understand all that that entails, does that make me like her less?? Does that make her work less valuable?? NO. (The reason I'm using her as an example is because I don't think most people's view of her is bad. I don't often hear her name used in a sentence to describe a less than desirable person. She is a Peace Prize recipient after all.)
I'm not sure how I'm going to tie this all in at the moment, but I'll sure try. A huge world wide contribution like hers is not what is required of us. As the man in the accompanying video shows, we may have been raised a certain way, but we are all human beings. We may not have horrible conditions as the people in the video do but there are people who are hurting and suffering. I do not look at this video and see an Indian, or a Hindu, I see a very selfless human being who is more giving and charitable than I can hope to be. Please take 3 minutes and watch this video. It will say some of what I'm trying to say with much more impact. PS sorry it's half cut off, I didn't have time to adjust the html code and youtube disabled the original video due to negative comments.
I'm sincerely not trying to preach here, but I am trying to show that no matter who you are, you may be in the position to help someone someday. I hope that you will. I hope that we can stop labeling those cultures and religions we do not understand and treat everyone as we would want to be treated. Once again, it's a simple concept, but how difficult it seems sometimes.
I think at heart we are all like little children, we just want love and respect.
Ps To my mother, who has been telling me about CNN Heroes for months, I was originally going to post a short video with all of the top 10 Hero's, but youtube disabled the video due to negative comments. Isn't that sad??! I don't have cable so I couldn't watch the broadcast, but I had seen a few of the top 10 Heroes of 2010 on youtube months ago, not knowing they were the CNN Heroes!
I would love to hear some thoughts on the video or the post. Do you think I'm way off base?
With huge hugs and love as always!
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