Until It Happens To You

I was watching a weekly sitcom (Trading Spouses), and they passed the house in the above picture. As I watched the culture clash between the Brown and Perrin spouses, I gained even more respect for neutrality. It provided a real life jolt to those looking at the issue from both sides. It gave a real life perspective through the eyes of others. Blacks tend to see it one way and Whites another. What I think they both discovered is they have no idea of what it's like to loose everything.

The cameras first went to the White families house and heard what they had to say. The husband was the more passive of this group. It would seem if anyone has a reason to complain, it would be him. He lost his job as a result of the hurricane. The scene was an afternoon brunch prepared for a few of the mothers' White friends. A neutral setting where you were more apt to get their honest feelings, as opposed to them being politically correct. They felt the people affected by Hurricane Katrina, were often abusers of the system. Fraudulently obtaining checks and going Christmas shopping. Taking advantage of the goverments assistance. Read my earlier post regarding this http://indepcons.blogspot.com/2006/06/where-is-my-14-billion.html Unfortunately there are far too many instances where they have a point. When the Black mother said that she agreed with Kanye West. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. I found it interesting how the Whites lived only a short distance away from the catastrophe. Yet they felt less affected than Blacks in a totally different state. They were correct to a degree, but they were still somewhat disconnected.

Then they went to the Black families house and got their spin on things. This was clearly the battleground of the most dominant personalities, Mr. Brown and Mrs. Perrin. He was a modern day Huey Newton, she is a self proclaimed God warrior. They are both extremist if you ask my opinion. Just to give you some idea of what this man felt about the White man, he has changed his name. He made some good points but more often than not he was over the top. I appreciate someone being passionate about their causes, but don't be overbearing. Five minutes after this guy picked her up he started with his pitch. The White man this and the White man that, after a while it got really boring. In his hometown of St. Petersburg Fl., he has a weekly television show. I hope he really looks at this segment with an open mind. Him and his wife both. It magnifies how silly he sounds when faced with an opposing view. Sometimes we surround ourselves with only those who agree. Not allowing the opportunity to look at things with an open mind.

Being on the outside looking in gave me a unique perspective. It allowed me to see the plight of America from two other points of view. Giving me a chance to see inside someone elses house other than my own. I always say one's perception is their reality. It just further goes to prove that self preservation rules. When it comes down to me and you, guess who it's going to be? This is just a lesson in human nature. You can't expect people to rock the boat when they don't have to row. If you are the source of power on your boat. Nobody is going to row for you. You have to put your oars in the water.