Sometimes you can’t help but overhear a conversation between people in the supermarket . Two sixty something couples, one man proudly saying that they had just been to a charity fundraiser for the local lifeboat. As I passed the other woman, who was facing him said something I didn’t catch then loudly added, “well I wouldn’t support them as all they seem to do is to save illegal immigrants.”
I stopped my trolley as the original guy said something else and I caught something like “well you can’t let anyone drown” before the racist woman added “ well I would “ then conceeded with “ I would save the children though”
I saw red
It wasn’t my conversation
It wasn’t my business.
But I butted in anyway and hissed at the woman “ shame, shame on you!”
All four looked shocked but I carried on,
The floodgates opened
“ Racist Scum” I called her
I wasn’t pretty
Cheap Shoes was all too gentle an insult
Good for you! We all should do the same.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nasty and awkward moment and I hated it
DeleteWell done! We need more people to speak up like that. Thankyou, from the Netherlands
ReplyDeleteI was still shaking when I got home
DeleteI'm glad you spoke up and I hope I would have as well.
ReplyDeleteI wasn’t going to, it was anger talking
DeleteSometimes anger is exactly what's needed
DeleteI’m still shaking about it
Deletegood for you xx from julie
ReplyDeleteI’m not proud of the whole situation but I glad I said something
DeleteIf you hadn't spoken up, you would have wished you had! We're all God's children
ReplyDeleteDid she really say and mean she was happy at people actually drowning ? Really? REALLY?
DeleteBravo!
ReplyDeleteIt was ugly, nasty and upsetting….ive heard low level racism a lot but never on this scale
DeleteCodex: Good for you. The problem is that I didn't even hear those types of conversations a few years back. Sometimes. Yes. Hard to listen to.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! The speaker is probably beyond hope but onlookers and the other couple might be given cause to re-evaluate a bit!
ReplyDeleteCeci
Good for you! I would have been too shocked to speak.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wonder if some people actually think through what they're saying. Like Archie, I would have been too gobsmacked to speak, then kicked myself for not speaking up. So good on you, Mr. Gray. Yes, cheap shoes wouldn't have cut it. xx
ReplyDeleteWell done, John.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I get more frightened about people's behaviour and lack.of compassion every day
ReplyDeleteGREAT! Call it out, good for you, more should do so when it is so blatant. Racism is everyone's business, overheard or not! Thank you
ReplyDeleteWell done. People need to face a price for that kind of hateful talk.
ReplyDeleteThank you John! People like that SHOULD be ashamed but they rarely are. Disgusting.
ReplyDeleteSpeak the truth and fear no man!
ReplyDeleteAnd then there's, "Tell the truth and shame the devil."
You did both. If only we all did that.
Well done! I'm with Ms Moon. "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something" Helen Keller.
ReplyDeleteThe woman had a right to voice her opinion in a private conversation
ReplyDeleteBut it wasn't private, was it? It was a scummy racist thing to say in a public place. Shame on you.
DeleteIf I overheard it so could others, I’m upset at the whole thing..I’m upset that the words were said OUT LOUD
DeleteThe man she spoke to had the opportunity to challenge her if he indeed wanted to .it was not John’s place to butt in
DeleteI'd be quite happy to see Reform and Brexit supporters deported to be honest
DeleteKnowing that you have built your whole career on compassion for others who need help, I can understand your comments. Good for you! Maybe the couples are mad or embarrassed that they were called out in public. It might not be today, or next week, but our hope is that at some point, they will re-examine their point of view and make a change. In neighborhoods in my own city, federal employees have shot citizens at point blank range. No one had ever said to them, shame on you for even taking this job and not standing up with compassion and integrity. Love from
ReplyDeleteBonnie in Minneapolis
Good on you, John. Your wording could have been done with more finesse [make that scathing sarcasm if I had been in aisle 23) but it's the sentiment that counts.
ReplyDeleteI particularly liked "... but I'd save the children". How generous. Children just having been deprived of their parents. Seriously? I am not vengeful yet do understand why sometimes one wishes to crush the snake [God's instrument of evil] with one's bare foot.
Once no one pipes up any longer for our fellow humans we may all sing a song of silence - to be deafened by it.
U