The A to Z Challenge has begun and I did not completely forget about it. ^_^
Today I want to talk about acceptance but before I get to the main topic I want to comment on a latter issue regarding this subject. I work twelve hours a day, Monday through Friday and sometimes on Saturday and Sunday, from 6am to 8pm. I'm a journalist for a NGO (got the job through connections) and that includes going to and compiling and reporting on every single event they do; I then take this info and write a monthly newsletter for the company. Why did I mention this? Because I barely have time to hang out with my friends or family anymore, far-less blog. I know I don't visit your blogs as often as I should, or at all, but it's really hard for me to do when I'm held up in meetings or listening to a senator discuss boring plans for growth. I try my best to be there for you and darn it to hell I want you to be there for me too. When I hit that button to follow your adventure I mean it. I might not be as vocal or as frequent but I'm there, and I'll be there. Eventually.
Now that you understand my scant blogging habits, help me comprehend a topic everyone has been talking about: Trayvon Martin vs Zimmerman.
If you haven't heard about this case then you are more out of whack with reality than Charlie Sheen. Allow me to briefly get you up to speed: Travyon Martin is a 17 year old African American boy who visited his father in a gated community in Florida. He went to the store at night to get skittles and tea for his kid brother and on his way home he was shot and killed by Zimmerman, a neighbourhood watchman who found the boy to be "suspicious."
ac·cep·tance (
k-s
p
t
ns)n.
1. The act or process of accepting.
2. The state of being accepted or acceptable.
3. Favorable reception; approval.
4. Belief in something; agreement.
5. Abbr. acpt.
a. A formal indication by a debtor of willingness to pay a time draft or bill of exchange.
b. A written instrument so accepted.
6. Law Compliance by one party with the terms and conditions of another's offer so that a contract becomes legally binding between them.
| Synonyms: | reception - admission - approval - adoption |
Acceptance has many meanings and many forms but for some people this simple word can save or destroy them. The issue with the Trayvon Martin case is racially driven and it is alleged that Zimmerman shot the kid because of his skin color. At the moment, there are countless rallies and cries of justice for the slain teen because even as I write this, Zimmerman has not been charged for the murder.
For hundreds of years, African Americans and many minorities have fought for society to accept them for who they are and it is sickening that in 2012 that fight is still ongoing. Acceptance is an extension of love, by allowing someone--a people--into your fold you are opening up your heart to them and all that they encompass. To deny a people this right based on the color of their skin or any other factor not based on their virtue is evil.
It is alleged that Zimmerman shot Trayvon because he was wearing a hoodie, because he was black and because he was in a gated community. This bullshit racial profiling needs to stop! As humans we can't help to judge a book by its cover, but as humans with wisdom and understanding we also SHOULD be able to know that that book is never always what it first appears to be; that we should give that book a chance; listen before we act; and, above all else, accept that book for what it is.
We need to accept the fact that African Americans and almost everyone else wears hoodies.
We need to accept the fact that they can live in gated communities.
We need to accept the fact that someone is black.
Acceptance is an extension of love and if you cannot accept someone for who they are, then by extension you are... well, you-know-what.
17 comments:
Interesting approach to the start. Good luck.
Oh Frost. The human race is such a paradox. On the one hand we can demonstrate such love and generosity to our fellow Man, and on the other, be barbaric monsters void of compassion, love, and acceptance. I don't think we'll ever get it right as a species, but we must keep passing on positive messages and teach them to our children. Great post and don't let work keep you down. Keep your head up, it'll pay off later on.
Acceptance is a word and concept we all should "accept". Great post!
Incidents like these happen, racism rises to the forefront for a moment or two, and then everyone seems to forget. Rodney King, Henry Louis Gates...it goes on and on, in small ways and big ways.
Makes you wonder what it's going to take.
A-Z @ Elizabeth Twist
Happy Sunday guys and hope you all enjoy the many April Fools jokes that may come your way. I have already endured one that shocked me. My sister showed me a pregnancy test and it was positive. I nearly died. Luckily it was all a joke.
I really hoped that each generation would be more tolerant than the one that came before, but in general that doesn't seem to be happening.
I promise not to hold your busy schedule against you. I personally don't keep track of who visits me and how often, if someone I visit returns the favor, or if someone I follow does the same for me. I have way to much going on in my life to be so lame.
On the Martin v. Zimmerman, this case truly makes me sad. Why do people dislike someone just because they look different?
Great post. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with through out this challenge.
The whole Trayvon Martin/Zimmerman case is so sad--not only because Trayvon was killed, but also because it does say something about the rest of society.
The Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective
First off, I bow to you because you seem to have all your priorities in order. Blogging is more of an addiction of mine, lol. I need to take a page out of your book and turn off the internet once in a while.
Course I'm saying this while I'm one the internet... ah well.
And this was a very positive and direct post which I appreciate. Acceptance in every aspect is always something we should strive to achieve.
You guys are the best darn people out there! ^_^
Tyson, that was a post with great feeling, well done! Great start to the A-Z Challenge!
CarolynBrown-Books
Thank you so much CM! ^_^
Greetings! Thanks for the forewarning regarding your scheduling issues and conflicts. Understood and forgiven. Thanks also for a great post expressing your beliefs and truths. Well said! Good luck this April!
Dusty
Thanks so much Dusty! Happy April to you too.
T.D. - that was profound - well written and succinct.
Thanks you for participating in the A-Z, I look forward to what you have in store for us as we make our way down the alphabet.
Jenny @ Pearson Report
Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
That means a lot to me Pearson, thank you.
Good post all the way around!!
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