“In practice, in my life outside of the Internet, I do certain things intended to engender peace between those who don’t look like me and those who do. Seemingly small things like greeting everyone I pass on the street. Especially effective: greeting their dogs.”
Simple courtesy is so underrated! Something I learned in med school is that “ma’am/sir” as terms of respect are absolutely not outdated. It’s astounding how far a simple “Yes/no ma’am/sir” and other courtesies can get you.
Loved this. I am naturally a little reticent but God has laid it on my heart to reach out to people every single day and make a friendly overture. It’s painful for me but it’s also rewarding. Every human being needs to be SEEN. So, old man behind me in the checkout line, I SEE you. Woman I pass pushing her toddler in a stroller, I see you, I see your child and the love and pride that bond you to her, and I see how beautiful it is and I step way out of my comfort zone and tell you that...and I get to see your whole countenance lift and lighten.
It's always refreshing and a bit surprising when you stop to actually talk and listen to people you run across on a regular basis. The janitor of your office building, the guy who sells you your morning coffee, someone on the elevator, the couple who walk their dog the same time you do every evening. Nice post, thanks for sharing it.
Two little Asian ladies live very close to me. They are about my age, sisters from Vietnam. I find them very friendly, but hard to understand. They walk every morning and every evening, one uses a cane. Very sweet ladies, one showed me her photo of the river where her house was. This is home now, but mama was in that house most of her life, making it home while mama was alive. They are my height, but I make two of them.
Our town was one of the first to have the fishermen from Vietnam. There was a little contention and a movie was made of it. My sister Anna was an extra in the movie, as she had recently moved back to the home town.
I did not move back until 1997 and had 3 years here before our mother passed away. Hers was a blessed leaving as she taught her children the way to die in peace.
Oh I so loved this! I try to say hello or at least a nod and a smile to people when I walk. Since 2020 I sometimes worry about whether those of a different race are judging me as a racist. I'm a mature white woman. But now I'm going to imagine people as being like you and welcoming the smile.
You’re a woman after my heart! Unlike politicians and celebrities, I don’t have the reach or power to affect lots of people at once; however as a mature, white woman, I can do my part to engage and connect with those that do come into my sphere in a positive manner. Sometimes I even have a chance to see my interactions bear fruit down the road.
Out of this whole essay, I was honestly startled by your "surly and rude" comment. That was not part of any reputation of black women I've ever encountered in my long life. I keep contemplating your words, but the general reputation I "learned" was that black women are most likely to be publicly polite but perhaps reserved, though perhaps younger, more impatient, or frustrated young women might fit. After that, a step to stereotypes, would include the reality of a stereotype(s) of surly and rude black women, of which stereotypes (and archetypes?) are extant for women of all races, but not as a general reputation specifically for blacks. Perhaps I'm just missing something, if so, please help me understand.
This is a great essay on loving people everywhere at every time, especially as a specific commandment for Christians. Thanks, Juliette!
Never thought of black women, as a group, being surly and rude.
Thinking about it a bit, I guess it's true today, that there are a lot of surly, rude black women, they're far from alone in their rudeness though. Sadly, today we've far more than our fair share of rude, surly folks, no matter what color, creed etc.
wait - what?!?!?! Black women have a reputation for being surly and rude? That hasn't been my personal experience. Maybe I just haven't met the right ones?
As to the rest of your post - I'm another one who tries to greet everyone I see, especially if they look different than I do. And I am ALL about greeting the dogs they have with them :)
Having a dog helps, a lot. He is small and quite beautiful, and often causes people to stop and admire him. I have learned to use these interactions as a way of getting to know my neighbors.
It doesn't have to be an intrusive knowing, just sufficient to begin to recognize them and associate them with their homes. In an emergency situation, that could be a life-saver.
“In practice, in my life outside of the Internet, I do certain things intended to engender peace between those who don’t look like me and those who do. Seemingly small things like greeting everyone I pass on the street. Especially effective: greeting their dogs.”
Simple courtesy is so underrated! Something I learned in med school is that “ma’am/sir” as terms of respect are absolutely not outdated. It’s astounding how far a simple “Yes/no ma’am/sir” and other courtesies can get you.
My comment to you about love was meant to go here.
Loved this. I am naturally a little reticent but God has laid it on my heart to reach out to people every single day and make a friendly overture. It’s painful for me but it’s also rewarding. Every human being needs to be SEEN. So, old man behind me in the checkout line, I SEE you. Woman I pass pushing her toddler in a stroller, I see you, I see your child and the love and pride that bond you to her, and I see how beautiful it is and I step way out of my comfort zone and tell you that...and I get to see your whole countenance lift and lighten.
I never met a man who didn’t know something I didn’t.
It's always refreshing and a bit surprising when you stop to actually talk and listen to people you run across on a regular basis. The janitor of your office building, the guy who sells you your morning coffee, someone on the elevator, the couple who walk their dog the same time you do every evening. Nice post, thanks for sharing it.
Two little Asian ladies live very close to me. They are about my age, sisters from Vietnam. I find them very friendly, but hard to understand. They walk every morning and every evening, one uses a cane. Very sweet ladies, one showed me her photo of the river where her house was. This is home now, but mama was in that house most of her life, making it home while mama was alive. They are my height, but I make two of them.
Our town was one of the first to have the fishermen from Vietnam. There was a little contention and a movie was made of it. My sister Anna was an extra in the movie, as she had recently moved back to the home town.
I did not move back until 1997 and had 3 years here before our mother passed away. Hers was a blessed leaving as she taught her children the way to die in peace.
Oh I so loved this! I try to say hello or at least a nod and a smile to people when I walk. Since 2020 I sometimes worry about whether those of a different race are judging me as a racist. I'm a mature white woman. But now I'm going to imagine people as being like you and welcoming the smile.
You’re a woman after my heart! Unlike politicians and celebrities, I don’t have the reach or power to affect lots of people at once; however as a mature, white woman, I can do my part to engage and connect with those that do come into my sphere in a positive manner. Sometimes I even have a chance to see my interactions bear fruit down the road.
Keep up the Lord’s work!
Blessings on you Juliette! (Matthew 25:40)
Most excellent essay! Thanks, Juliette
Out of this whole essay, I was honestly startled by your "surly and rude" comment. That was not part of any reputation of black women I've ever encountered in my long life. I keep contemplating your words, but the general reputation I "learned" was that black women are most likely to be publicly polite but perhaps reserved, though perhaps younger, more impatient, or frustrated young women might fit. After that, a step to stereotypes, would include the reality of a stereotype(s) of surly and rude black women, of which stereotypes (and archetypes?) are extant for women of all races, but not as a general reputation specifically for blacks. Perhaps I'm just missing something, if so, please help me understand.
This is a great essay on loving people everywhere at every time, especially as a specific commandment for Christians. Thanks, Juliette!
Excellent piece! ♥️
Never thought of black women, as a group, being surly and rude.
Thinking about it a bit, I guess it's true today, that there are a lot of surly, rude black women, they're far from alone in their rudeness though. Sadly, today we've far more than our fair share of rude, surly folks, no matter what color, creed etc.
wait - what?!?!?! Black women have a reputation for being surly and rude? That hasn't been my personal experience. Maybe I just haven't met the right ones?
As to the rest of your post - I'm another one who tries to greet everyone I see, especially if they look different than I do. And I am ALL about greeting the dogs they have with them :)
❤️💖❤️💖
Having a dog helps, a lot. He is small and quite beautiful, and often causes people to stop and admire him. I have learned to use these interactions as a way of getting to know my neighbors.
It doesn't have to be an intrusive knowing, just sufficient to begin to recognize them and associate them with their homes. In an emergency situation, that could be a life-saver.
Loved it! Want to trade subscriptions?