Roland Francis: Cecil, I would easily count you one of the cognoscenti when compared to the class that needs "education".
Cecil: Thanks you for the certification but I consider myself informed and aware rather than 'educated'. ---------------- Roland: Therefore it is surprising that you mention your doubts on how you yourself would have reacted in a school situation in Panjim, like that of Rivona. I thought education would count for the difference in your behaviour about which there should have been no doubts on the score that children with HIV do not deserve to be shown any difference from those without that condition, period. Cecil: I always question myself and my actions, reactions and motivations. It is very easy to do armchair analysis from a distance. It is easy for me to condemn the parents of the Rivona school sitting here in Panjim. What if I was in their place? How would I have reacted if kids living with HIV were admitted in my son's school. I ask myself such questions all the while. Only after asking myself these questions, and sincerely analyzing my reactions, can I then turn the scope on the Rivona parents. And incidentally I passed my own test with flying colours. But yes one must do a lot of introspection before being critical of what others do. Fore example there are lots of Goans living abroad who are very vocal in Goan cyberspace. Which is good. We can learn from exchanges. But some of them constantly scream in a shrill voice telling us what to do and what not to do. Most of these people have a very vague idea of ground realities here in Goa. These people should also pause and walk a mile in our shoes before screaming their nonsense advice. ---------------- Roland: And I certainly hope that in your last sentence "For our kids and their kids" you do not mean "for their kids with HIV and our kids without", because it certainly lends itself to that interpretation, when one knows you have skill in wordcraft and all. Cecil: Your interpretation exposes your blinkered understanding of issues. "For our kids and their kids" is a slogan I have used before when raising funds or awareness for issues related to young people. It is a beautiful phrase that encompasses everyone. Our children, their children, our children's children. Only a convoluted mind could interpret it in the negative way you have. Cheers! ==============