Dear Lori:
I think the interviewee meant well, but I would have to agree with you.
Anytime you attempt to lump a category or race of people into one thought
process or pattern, it becomes generalized and therefore, somewhat
prejudiced. This is something that is a learned habit in speech which needs
to be unlearned and it goes across the board. The question I must ask myself
as a human being is this; Do I really know the thoughts of every gay,
straight, black, white, nationality (take your pick), handicapped person on
earth? Then I should not categorize a people as if I do. I should say, "The
handicapped people I have spoken to, read about, feel as if they are being
left out on being able to function as much as possible in society." It's a
learned habit.
Sherelle
In a message dated 07/19/2001 1:04:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Last night I was listening to NPR and "Marketplace" was featuring a story
> about the lack of good (or any) restaurants in Prince George's County, MD,
> where the population is 63% African-American, very affluent, and where it's
> (probably correctly) presumed businesses don't locate because of the "race
> issue." One of the interviewees opined, regarding African-Americans in the
> County, "They spend money just like anyone else." For some reason, I found
> his statement offensive. I'm not sure how else he could have put it --
> perhaps, "Citizens in PG County spend money ..." -- but the way the guy
> said it bothered me.
