Not so much about Ella...

As with most sort of 'profound' experiences I find myself drawn to write. Usually I would write in my journal but I think this worth other people reading so here it goes... I just got done watching the movie "Crash". It was truly an amazing movie and for those of you who have not seen it, I highly recommend it. It brought up a lot of emotions for me (weird I know!) and a lot of thoughts that I don't like to share based on the cynical conversation it generates or have taken seriously very often. Much like other important movies I find myself wanting to watch it again just to see what I will get from it the next time around. Here are my thoughts based on what I just watched... So we all move about our days in our routines, interacting with people. We all have our ideas, thoughts and oh-no shall I even say judgements about the people we meet, every person we meet. Some of these preconceived notions are certainly valid based on our own experiences and hear this before reading the rest...some of these judgements are proved to be correct sometimes. But we we then take those interactions with that individual person and sometimes generalize it to an entire group of people...what they should look like, what they should act like, how much money they should have, what they should sound like...you get the picture. For those of you not getting it I am talking about stereotyping...Why? Why do we then take that experience and generalize it in such a way that it affects the next person we encounter who might 'fit the bill'. I'm not just talking about race because it transends that. Don't misunderstand me, we each have valid reasons for our beliefs based on our experiences but why do we hold on to them? Why cause someone else stress/anger/loss of dignity based on our own preconceived notions? Common reasons..."they don't deserve what they have"..."I pay for them to sit at home"..."they caused a thousands deaths"..."they kill people"..."they weren't born here"...whatever. Shouldn't we be channeling this anger towards healing? Thinking about my own experiences and those around me - Over the past week, I have heard coversation that stuck with me...a coworker said in front of her Latina office mate.."Why don't people speak English if they live in America?" Good question. Not a valid question unless you truly are wanting to get to know about someone's culture or beliefs or values. Instead, the question was meant to be rhetorical as evident by the fact that they did not stick around to generate conversation or explain. Instead they shot off this comment with disregard for her culture or respect for her. Again, her comment might be valid based on her experiences but what the hell is the point. If someone out there has that question, go ask my Latina friend and she will tell you it a part of who she is and she is proud of it! If you don't understand the person doing your nails...don't go there anymore. I guess my whole point to my jumbled thoughts is...IF in fact this is AMERICA - the country I remember growing up learning was the "melting pot" why do we want other people to assimilate to who we think "AMERICANS" are??? What is an American anyway? Someone who speaks English? Someone who has a job? Someone who pays their taxes? To some people around me, Yes, yes and yes. But it is ALL of us. My life is so enriched by the people I have met and it is sad to know that some people (even me) miss out on that enrichment because someone doesn't talk like they do. I'm not perfect...I just get sick of people sitting and complaining and pointing fingers at other people when they should be looking at themselves and what their own shitty (earmuffs Ella) attitude is promting fate to bring back their way....what is the harm in giving people the benefit of the doubt more times than not. Put out there what you want to get back...this issue just makes me tired! I probably would advise people to not watch that movie actually because this is the most I have thought since graduating...it hurts! Thank you Jesus (that was for you Loanny)...love you!!!