God Doesn't Like Ugly - Part I, Racism vs Classism

My daughter posted a news story on her FB page regarding a black Harvard professor who was arrested outside his home for disorderly conduct when he refused to cooperate with the police at his door. Without going into particulars, I made a couple comments about his not being above the law, and one response said it wasn't racism, but perhaps classism. This got me to thinking. I love a good argument and know that if you stand up for what you believe in; you have to be prepared to respect the other side of the proposed subject. However, I did a little internet research on this subject and I also "picked my own brain" and here is my opinion. (my opinon only; but I would LOVE to hear your's, too.

Here is one quote from the Internet: "Classism exist before racism was prominent. It is the main reason why the Pilgrims left Europe." Now we are taught that the basis for the Pilgrims was religious freedom. BUT, isn't religion a form of classism??

Here is another longer quote that I liked. " I think the powers that be are happy as long as the masses of ALL colors are kept in a perpetual state of financial insecurity and competition with one another."

I don't honest think I have ever felt a "subject" of racism. However, I have felt a subject of classism many times. I work in a hospital where doctors, and yes, some nurses, have the "God syndrome. If you don't have letters after your name; well you just don't fit in. I -- for one -- am doing a job that has no back-up because the only people in my department that are trained to do what I do are registered nurses. Formerly, this job was done by registered nurses, and in many states, the law requires a registered nurse to give clinical review to an insurance company. The difference: I do it for about half of the pay. Is that classism? Is that fair? But what can I do about it. When I asked this question I was told that my employer embraced "degrees". Is that classism?

Another example: Early in my hospital career we had a janitor that ate his lunch in a little back room with no fan or air conditioning. In the hot summer he asked me if he could eat his lunch in our conference/lunch room. He ate earlier that our group so I said yes. One of the nurses came back early one day and wanted to know "what that man was doing in our room"? I thought, well, gee, he's a human being and it's hot in his room. But it didn't digest with her. She, as a nurse, was not going to eat with a janitor. It made me wonder what she thought of me, the "secretary". This young woman died an early and tragic death and I often wondered if she was every happy a day in her life. See ... God doesn't like ugly.

Some classism is meant to be funny. You could call someone a "redneck" if you were Jeff Foxworthy and people would call is humor. (Hey, I personally like NASCAR; my father was a race car driver so it is in my blood.) If your a rapper you can use the work "nigger" without too much flack. "White trash" is as common as the world "colored". My sister still uses that word and doesn't think there is anything wrong with it. Racism brought about by classism.

Have you ever experienced any of this? Come on people, I want to hear it. Now, don't address prejudice here in the form of gender, sexuality, etc. That is a whole other subject that we will approach later. But what do you have to say? I'd like to know.

Remember: the opinons expressed here are the sole thoughts of the writer. This is my blog so I can say what I damn please!!!!! LOL

A NEW QUEST

I am on a new quest this month. Now my life is pretty simple, so I have to think of things to keep myself amused. This month my quest is to not wear the same outfit twice for the month of July. Sounds pretty self-centered, doesn't it. Well, it is just something I want to do and it certainly doesn't hurt anyone, so let me alone.

Truthfully, I could probably go the entire summer and not wear the same outfit twice if I wasn't so lazy and really put my mind to it. How, you ask? My name isn't Beyonce or Rockefeller, and I am actually pretty poor but I'll give you the secret....wise shopping, taking care of your clothes, and keeping the same size. (whether you be big or small). Not to mention accessorising. Now here goes ...

First, wise shopping. I've had some of my clothing, shoes, etc. for years and years. A big part of my outfits were purchased at bargain stores like Walmart and Gabriel Brothers. Here's the trick, NEVER pay full price for anything. Watch sales. Unless you see an item you just HAVE TO HAVE, never buy anything that doesn't already match with something you have. It will just sit in your wardrobe and you can look at it and that is about it!! Unless you have tons of money to waste on items that end up not matching anyway. I once did this with a pair of slacks that I thought were soooo neat. I've ended up with about ten tops in my closet, of which only two ended up actually matching the pants and the rest kind of just hang there. DON'T DO IT!!

Second, is taking care of your clothes. Now when it comes to t-shirts, I am a slop. I get all kinds of stains and food down me. Thank God I don't often eat in my good clothes. However, keep your clothes clean, don't throw then around, (hang them up), and change into old stand-by's when you get home. This is really important if you want something to last. Believe me, I just looked at a perfectly nice top that I've had since Christopher was a baby and I still get compliments when I wear it. I don't tell people it is old enough to vote.

Keeping the same size is the next step to having a grand wardrobe. I can wear things I've had for years. I go on a quest to lose weight every once in awhile but I like to stay within a certain limit. If I had a dream of being thin and attained that goal, I would have nothing to wear. I like the things I have so I try not to grow out of them....either up or down. Once in awhile when a favorite becomes too tight, I am sick about it. But it happens!!

The fourth item is accessorising. I am very big on that. A simple scarf, jewelery, or a a pair of shoes can make an outfit go from simple to stunning. Try different accessories with the same outfit and you'll make all the difference in the world. When I was younger, I had a supervisor who looked stunning every day. I started watching her and realized that she didn't have a vast amount of clothes. What she had were all interchangeable with each other and she had tons of accessories to change them up. It taught me a lot. Carole G., I thank you!!! Anyway, you don't have to spend a lot of money. Avon has great sales on jewelery; Pay Less has great shoe sales; and you can hit Gabriel Brothers for other items. Try yard sales, flea markets, or grandma's attic. (oh yeah, and add a little make up...nothing like dressing up and looking dead!! But don't paint too much, either. Leave that for evening.)

Now, the pic of me above is a good and a bad example. GOOD: the outfit matches. The accessories are all in-tune with each other, and look good together. BAD: first off ... I think the outfit was a little too "youthful" for me but it was taken in Jamaica and I was on vacation, so it didn't matter. It wasn't exactly flattering to my "figure". Second, it was sleeveless. This is certainly OK for Jamaica; but don't do sleeveless for the office. It is unprofessional and doesn't flatter anyone. If you have a sleeveless dress you love, add a little jacket or sweater. Even a shirt with the flaps knotted will look better than your flab arms. And yes, we ALL eventually get wings...even skinny people.

Oh yeah, the draw back is having enough closet and storage, which is pretty difficult. If you don't believe me, ask any man that has helped me move. It can be pretty cumbersome, but eventually is worth it.

Well, that's my advice for today. Take it or leave it. I'll let you know how July fares out.

PEACE!!!!!