Here's something you might be interested in.
Last week at my book discussion group, I was taken aback but not really surprised when I stated an opinion about our featured book for the month, and several ladies bellowed, "No! No!"
I am as entitled to an opinion as they are, maybe more so because I know a thing or two about writing. I think they showed a lack of respect and tolerance for another person's point of view; and, that they think they are the only smart people in the room.
We were discussing "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls, and many women harped on the subject of homelessness. They went on and on about the reasons for homelessness and that it is "a choice," even if a person is mentally ill. God only knows what the voices in a schizophrenic's head are telling him, and I don't believe those voices allow a person to make choices while in the throws of the disease.
I received the negative criticism because I had wished that the daughter of two mentally ill people had spoken up about going hungry. She had gotten close to a teacher and the mother of a friend who may have gotten help for her. What is wrong with that?
My friend comes from a long line of educators. He said that the women acted that way because schools don't teach people to think; they teach people to react. And that sounds exactly like what these women were doing. Ranting about choices, raving about programs and throwing their hands in the air. The book wasn't even about homelessness which the facilitator pointed out. It was about survival, overcoming obstacles and not sweating the small stuff.
The parents in the story were only on the street for a short time and even then they had a house in Phoenix to go to. They simply chose not to be there. Unless the family was in the process of going from one town to the other, the kids always had some kind of battered, leaky roof overhead. The point of the book seemed to be completely missed by the know-it-alls.
I have a new rule in my life. From now on, I'm going to start speaking up. Perhaps if I do, I won't be angry and fuming so much of the time. It's not about telling somebody off; it's about standing up for what is right. These women were white, middle-class, seemingly educated people who were making themselves look like idiots. Where do they get off thinking they know everything?
The smartest woman in the group, a lawyer by training, is also the quietest one. When she does speak, her words are profound. I think there's a lesson to be learned here that I'm going to take to heart. Unless you have something worth saying, keep your mouth shut.
Last week at my book discussion group, I was taken aback but not really surprised when I stated an opinion about our featured book for the month, and several ladies bellowed, "No! No!"
I am as entitled to an opinion as they are, maybe more so because I know a thing or two about writing. I think they showed a lack of respect and tolerance for another person's point of view; and, that they think they are the only smart people in the room.
We were discussing "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls, and many women harped on the subject of homelessness. They went on and on about the reasons for homelessness and that it is "a choice," even if a person is mentally ill. God only knows what the voices in a schizophrenic's head are telling him, and I don't believe those voices allow a person to make choices while in the throws of the disease.
I received the negative criticism because I had wished that the daughter of two mentally ill people had spoken up about going hungry. She had gotten close to a teacher and the mother of a friend who may have gotten help for her. What is wrong with that?
My friend comes from a long line of educators. He said that the women acted that way because schools don't teach people to think; they teach people to react. And that sounds exactly like what these women were doing. Ranting about choices, raving about programs and throwing their hands in the air. The book wasn't even about homelessness which the facilitator pointed out. It was about survival, overcoming obstacles and not sweating the small stuff.
The parents in the story were only on the street for a short time and even then they had a house in Phoenix to go to. They simply chose not to be there. Unless the family was in the process of going from one town to the other, the kids always had some kind of battered, leaky roof overhead. The point of the book seemed to be completely missed by the know-it-alls.
I have a new rule in my life. From now on, I'm going to start speaking up. Perhaps if I do, I won't be angry and fuming so much of the time. It's not about telling somebody off; it's about standing up for what is right. These women were white, middle-class, seemingly educated people who were making themselves look like idiots. Where do they get off thinking they know everything?
The smartest woman in the group, a lawyer by training, is also the quietest one. When she does speak, her words are profound. I think there's a lesson to be learned here that I'm going to take to heart. Unless you have something worth saying, keep your mouth shut.