One step forward and two steps back

... you don’t get too far like that. That is a line in a reggae song.

   This probably best describes the sequel to the Monday,
November 13, 2006 blog entry. The story about the ‘prom king and queen’.

   Despite that it wasn’t a very nice incident, it had a powerful
positive effect. Everyone found out about it and there was a major
discussion in town. All the people knew the young Rroma girl who
was not allowed to win the contest due to her origin.

   It really was a major step forward. People of all cultures weren’t
happy with the injustice that occurred that night.

   Fast forwarding a month and a half … it is the holiday season.
The lady responsible for changing the results against the Rroma
girl put together some packages of clothes and maybe a few other
articles to distribute to the Rroma (Gypsy) community.

   I must interject an opinion here, before this gesture, I didn’t have
much of a positive view of this lady. But now, I have to say that
I respect her, the fact that she realized that either with or without
a good heart, she was wrong. The general consensus was that she
was attempting to make amends. It was the first time that she had
done anything resembling that act of generosity.

   At this point you have to start thinking that things worked out
pretty well. There is a happy ending to a situation that began in a
not too pretty manner.

   This is one step forward, really, a giant step in fact.

  Ok … it would be a great world if it was that easy.
What happened was that the recipients, instead of actually saying
thank you, asked for more. This immediately infuriated the
lady who was at the time sucking up her pride and in essence was
holding out the ‘olive branch’. You know, I don’t blame her for
being upset. I wish I had a dollar for every time that happened to
me in Africa.

   Results of a lack of appreciation … two steps back.
This could open a huge discussion regarding the differences between
peoples from different cultures, social or financial statuses.
What should have happened? If the recipients had a little knowledge
and understanding of who they were dealing with. They would have
realized where this lady came from and that it was an opportunity.
Nothing more than a sincere thank you and patience, would
most probably bring them further benefits in the future.
As much as the discriminators need to be enlightened, it appears
that likewise, the discriminated also need to be enlightened.
It is interesting to note that a lot of people think that equality is
really a result of economic issues. But it is really a lot more than that.
I have been in very poor places in the world and yes, economics do
limit development. However, the more I see situations like this,
the more I am convinced that it is more ‘the mind’ that arrests the
progress out of discrimination and poverty. The saying goes … the
mind moves the body. The direction is dictated by the thought. This
is relevant for everyone from the top to the bottom of the ‘totem pole’.
Sometimes all it takes is a little appreciation to change someone’s
heart. Appreciation given is like a drug, the more that one receives,
the better one feels. People do incredible things to make themselves
feel good. Sometimes all it takes is a good act to get what people
spend millions for … to feel good. So I am sure that if the lady
received appreciation instead of more demands, she would have
felt good about herself. This could have led to other generous actions
from her in the future.

   I guess the conclusion is best put by someone called Frost ( I think
it was him) … many miles before we sleep.