Papa Bill's Pontification
Discussion with my grandson24 total reviews
Comment from N.K. Wagner
Well written, well reasoned, and you ended with a laugh. This is everything an essay should be. I object (on a wordsmith's level)to the term "reverse racism", as racism is a state of mind equally applicable to all races. To make it a white-only term is to allow one group to bully another with indsicriminate accusations. A person who treats another badly because of their race is a racist, period. The race or races involved are irrelevant. Great job. I'm waiting to hear the answer to your grandson's last question. LOL! Nancy
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2011
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Well written, well reasoned, and you ended with a laugh. This is everything an essay should be. I object (on a wordsmith's level)to the term "reverse racism", as racism is a state of mind equally applicable to all races. To make it a white-only term is to allow one group to bully another with indsicriminate accusations. A person who treats another badly because of their race is a racist, period. The race or races involved are irrelevant. Great job. I'm waiting to hear the answer to your grandson's last question. LOL! Nancy
Comment Written 07-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2011
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Hi Nancy - don't mind the wordsmith objection, because I do agree. In this case, my grandson drove it to be a white/black issue. I almost wrote a story about something that happened on a business trip to Seatle and it involved Indians. I have a feeling that since my grandson will be 11 this year, he will develop an answer on his own. LOL Bill
Comment from hemase
I have given you six stars for this piece as I feel you have delivered a wonderful commentary on a major issue but hidden it in a lovely honest setting.
You ask and answer questions beautifully on what can be a difficult subject to cover. You capture the innocence of youth perfectly. This is excellent work, well done.
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2011
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I have given you six stars for this piece as I feel you have delivered a wonderful commentary on a major issue but hidden it in a lovely honest setting.
You ask and answer questions beautifully on what can be a difficult subject to cover. You capture the innocence of youth perfectly. This is excellent work, well done.
Comment Written 07-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 07-Jan-2011
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Thank you very much. We are given so few sixes that I always consider it a compliment to receive one. Warm regards, Bill
Comment from Southern Writer
Amen, you have written in simple words the problem with this- you're a racist, I'm a racist,everyone's a racist...we all carry our feelings on our shoulders, just hoping someone will insult us. A world of babies. Good job....but now I'm mad at all the nutty people in the world. I just stopped being friends with another nurse.....she saw everything as racist....hell, it was exhausting being her friend. Was like walking on eggs around her....course, it's funny that she didn't seem to like blacks either....and she was black.
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2011
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Amen, you have written in simple words the problem with this- you're a racist, I'm a racist,everyone's a racist...we all carry our feelings on our shoulders, just hoping someone will insult us. A world of babies. Good job....but now I'm mad at all the nutty people in the world. I just stopped being friends with another nurse.....she saw everything as racist....hell, it was exhausting being her friend. Was like walking on eggs around her....course, it's funny that she didn't seem to like blacks either....and she was black.
Comment Written 06-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 06-Jan-2011
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Thank you very much for reading and your wonderful support. I do appreciate you. I know exactly what you are talking about with your friend. I've got to write a story about an experience I had in Washington State. I met with a guy who said I was crazy to live in the South because everyone was racist. During lunch, he looked out over the bay and said, "would you look at that f$#$@ing indian? He can fish out there any time he wants and I can't. The guy I was travelling with sputtered his tea all over my sleeve."
Comment from missy98writer
Bill,
your essay is delightful. Your writing is excellent and error free. I enjoy your great narrative. I could hear your discussion with your grandson, Payne. This line was awesome: "There does seem to be a whole lot of people tagging others as racist when they really aren't." I agree with this assessment. Too many folks want to jump on the bandwagon of racism. What about reverse racism? Your essay is a terrific entry in the contest. This subject my family was talking about because my nephew, Brandon who I raise with my parents since his mother died in 2003 is biracial. We try to encourage Brandon to not allow racism to effect him. I feel we need to get over ourselves and realize we're all biracial because of the diversity of our families. In my family there is German, American Indian, Irish and some Italian. Thanks for your though pondering essay.
Melissa.
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2011
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Bill,
your essay is delightful. Your writing is excellent and error free. I enjoy your great narrative. I could hear your discussion with your grandson, Payne. This line was awesome: "There does seem to be a whole lot of people tagging others as racist when they really aren't." I agree with this assessment. Too many folks want to jump on the bandwagon of racism. What about reverse racism? Your essay is a terrific entry in the contest. This subject my family was talking about because my nephew, Brandon who I raise with my parents since his mother died in 2003 is biracial. We try to encourage Brandon to not allow racism to effect him. I feel we need to get over ourselves and realize we're all biracial because of the diversity of our families. In my family there is German, American Indian, Irish and some Italian. Thanks for your though pondering essay.
Melissa.
Comment Written 05-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2011
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Hi Melissa - I have some grandchildren who are bi-racial. As a man of the South, I'm sure there are many who would question my unquestioning and total love for these precious children. They are girls and the love of my life. Thanks for your kind feedback. Always warm regards, Bill
Comment from Veekz
Out of the mouths of babes aye :) I know what you mean by this 'reverse racism' - it's terrible here in NZ. It boggles my mind that here in NZ we have a NZ Maori only rugby team and that is somehow ok but could you imagine the outrage there would be if they tried to make a NZ European only team? The fur would fly in all directions and it would immediately be labeled racist, yet the Maori only team that excludes everyone who isn't Maori somehow isn't? Good luck explaining these things to your grandson my friend, I still don't understand them myself!
Had to have a giggle at the other one you're working on though - think you might need more luck with that one actually! Haha :)
Thanks for the great thought provoking read :)
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2011
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Out of the mouths of babes aye :) I know what you mean by this 'reverse racism' - it's terrible here in NZ. It boggles my mind that here in NZ we have a NZ Maori only rugby team and that is somehow ok but could you imagine the outrage there would be if they tried to make a NZ European only team? The fur would fly in all directions and it would immediately be labeled racist, yet the Maori only team that excludes everyone who isn't Maori somehow isn't? Good luck explaining these things to your grandson my friend, I still don't understand them myself!
Had to have a giggle at the other one you're working on though - think you might need more luck with that one actually! Haha :)
Thanks for the great thought provoking read :)
Comment Written 04-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 05-Jan-2011
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Thanks for reading and for your kind words. It was a serious essay, but I couldn't help the close because it cracked me up when he asked. He's 10 this year, so maybe next summer he won't have to ask again! Regards, Bill
Comment from Mustang Patty
We can learn so much from children and their perceptions. You need to give him a good explanation for why you look at other girls - it will stay with him forever! You wrote this story well, and it is constructed with a true beginning, middle, and end. It is humorous and serious - well done. ~patty~
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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We can learn so much from children and their perceptions. You need to give him a good explanation for why you look at other girls - it will stay with him forever! You wrote this story well, and it is constructed with a true beginning, middle, and end. It is humorous and serious - well done. ~patty~
Comment Written 04-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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Thanks Patty - I thought I would just wait until next summer. He'll be 10 and I probably won't have to explain! LOL Bill
Comment from koneart
I live in a 'racist' community. It's hard--very hard--to look past 'color' when there are so many unfair situations that arise. 'Reverse' racism? Good term. I thought this was well written and followed through with its thought from the beginning to the end. I checked other comments and was surprise the issues below weren't pointed out to you. Sometimes it's hard to see grammar--I'm like a eagle-eye when I read. So, please note the issue below. I marked them in [ ]s. Nicely done. One last comment on the last two sentences---MEN! [grin]
It was the site of a wonderful vacation last summer. [comma over period] a three day weekend with only my son and grandson.
What a question to hear from my nine year old grandson. [nine-year-old]
His answer - "most have been white". [since you alread set a pattern for grammar, you'd write this sentence this way: His answer, "Most have been white." Period going within the quote marks]
There do [does] seem to be a whole lot of people tagging others as racist when they really aren't.
A simple example; [colon over semicolon]
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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I live in a 'racist' community. It's hard--very hard--to look past 'color' when there are so many unfair situations that arise. 'Reverse' racism? Good term. I thought this was well written and followed through with its thought from the beginning to the end. I checked other comments and was surprise the issues below weren't pointed out to you. Sometimes it's hard to see grammar--I'm like a eagle-eye when I read. So, please note the issue below. I marked them in [ ]s. Nicely done. One last comment on the last two sentences---MEN! [grin]
It was the site of a wonderful vacation last summer. [comma over period] a three day weekend with only my son and grandson.
What a question to hear from my nine year old grandson. [nine-year-old]
His answer - "most have been white". [since you alread set a pattern for grammar, you'd write this sentence this way: His answer, "Most have been white." Period going within the quote marks]
There do [does] seem to be a whole lot of people tagging others as racist when they really aren't.
A simple example; [colon over semicolon]
Comment Written 04-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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Thanks for reading and special thanks for taking the time to spot the grammar. I try to be thorough in my self editing, but things always seem to sneak through. Regards, Bill
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Join the club. I NEVER see my own errors. Great story, though. Kone
Comment from RKagan
LOL, I loved your ending. It brought a smile to my face. Children ask the darndest things, don't they? My own views on racisim is that I simply do not allow myself to ever see color barriers. Wrong or right. By that I mean, I look at the action and not at who is doing it.Does that make sense? It is kind of easy for me, because I did not grow up with any prejudice. I enjoyed your story so much that I gave you a six. Excellent writing and wonderful interaction with the kids. Also, a good message.
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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LOL, I loved your ending. It brought a smile to my face. Children ask the darndest things, don't they? My own views on racisim is that I simply do not allow myself to ever see color barriers. Wrong or right. By that I mean, I look at the action and not at who is doing it.Does that make sense? It is kind of easy for me, because I did not grow up with any prejudice. I enjoyed your story so much that I gave you a six. Excellent writing and wonderful interaction with the kids. Also, a good message.
Comment Written 04-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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Thanks for reading Roberta and for the compliment of the six. I actually had started a story on things kids have said to me over the years, and wound up zeroing in on this one. Warm regards, Bill
Comment from L.lora
A very nice essay on your
thoughts about racism...well
thought out. Your article flows
smoothly and the dialogue helps
to move the reader along bringing
the humanity factor to the fray.
I do believe racism goes beyond
the black/white issue and extends
to anyone that is of a different
race/color than of our own. Your questions
directed to your grandson were spot
on--your handling of the subject is
above reproach. As to the last question,
well thats just the way it is, loving
doesn't mean you can't look at other
people--a study of human nature...
smiles. no nits or spags, Lora
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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A very nice essay on your
thoughts about racism...well
thought out. Your article flows
smoothly and the dialogue helps
to move the reader along bringing
the humanity factor to the fray.
I do believe racism goes beyond
the black/white issue and extends
to anyone that is of a different
race/color than of our own. Your questions
directed to your grandson were spot
on--your handling of the subject is
above reproach. As to the last question,
well thats just the way it is, loving
doesn't mean you can't look at other
people--a study of human nature...
smiles. no nits or spags, Lora
Comment Written 04-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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Thanks for reading and for your feedback. You are spot on about racism, as it does span more than black/white relationships. This time, that is just what fit this particular conversation. Regards, Bill
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I really like the way you handled it and you've given us all an idea about how to handle this type of situation should it arise, it was super. Lora
Comment from marcellawachtel
I think it's a knee-jerk reaction for someone who has been the victim of racism to assume anything negative that happens to him is motivated by racism. We will just have to deal with it case by case, and not get too hot under the collar. Last night, I stopped at the bank and was waiting on line to use the cash machine. A man inserted his card, punched his numbers, and the cash was NOT forthcoming. He tried once more and I looked over his shoulder to read a screen that came up, informing us that the machine was now out of order. He read it too, but nevertheless, tried another time. When this was not productive, he made a fist, slammed the screen and muttered: "Anti-semite"! This was his attempt at humor- do I have to explain that he didn't really think the machine was antisemitic?
Good and well written food for thought.
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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I think it's a knee-jerk reaction for someone who has been the victim of racism to assume anything negative that happens to him is motivated by racism. We will just have to deal with it case by case, and not get too hot under the collar. Last night, I stopped at the bank and was waiting on line to use the cash machine. A man inserted his card, punched his numbers, and the cash was NOT forthcoming. He tried once more and I looked over his shoulder to read a screen that came up, informing us that the machine was now out of order. He read it too, but nevertheless, tried another time. When this was not productive, he made a fist, slammed the screen and muttered: "Anti-semite"! This was his attempt at humor- do I have to explain that he didn't really think the machine was antisemitic?
Good and well written food for thought.
Comment Written 04-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2011
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Thanks for reading Marcella and your kind and thoughtful feedback. I loved your story about the ATM. You are certainly right on the point you make. In the context of my essay, I don't disrespect Marcus's dad. I don't know what triggered his feelings.