Saturday, April 24, 2010

Life Lessons from the Boulevard Pub

Story deleted due to copyright concerns

51 comments:

blueviolet said...

I was raised in a community where small minded thinking and racial prejudice was widespread, and I'm just grateful that I broke free from that type of ignorance and hatred.

One can only hope that these types of experiences open up the eyes of those who still don't see.

I love you!!

otin said...

It is a shame that there is still a lot of small minded thinking in the world. I always wonder how things would be if we were all blind and could not make sight judgments.

I love you, Sweetie!

sheri... said...

i never realized how hateful my dad was towards anyone who wasn't like him (white) until i married and then hubby joined the army. i was amazed at the beauty and diversity of peoples, always grateful that my kids were brought up in an environment so much better than the one i had.
real nice post...very thought provoking!
love ya, baby ;)

♥ Kathy said...

very well said.

ReformingGeek said...

Yes, there is a lot of blindness and lot of judgment in our world.

I enjoyed the story, Otin!

Wendy said...

Oh, good story Otin!

Makes me think of the spin i put on people with Down's Syndrome - i think they are actually smarter than those of us without Down's: they usually see each person as 'great' before they even know them; they're typically happy; they usually have a better outlook on life, etc...
I wonder who *really* has the "disability".

Amy said...

what a powerful and amazing post for sure.. Thanks for sharing....

Ronda Laveen said...

The hard edge of your writing is now tempered with a softness and vulnerability that makes it even better.

Brian Miller said...

dang otin...good one. there is so much blindness in our world...i like this softer side...it reeks of gentle wisdom...

catch up with you tomorrow...

Nancy said...

Bravo!

AngelMay said...

Now I KNOW I love you. ;o)
Great little story!

Pseudonymous High School Teacher said...

Wonderful story Otin.

Over here it is an upside down place for America where whites are the minority.

only a movie said...

really cool!!

C said...

it couldnt be said any clearer... great story and moral...

c

Tom said...

things are rarely as they seem, eh?

Andrew said...

Thanks Otin. A good story with a great message.

Little Ms Blogger said...

Didn't see the blind thing coming - I thought he was Obama in disguise....

I liked it - good story -

buffalodick said...

I always smile when I remember my Dad going on and on about blacks...but he never knew one he didn't like! As a group- people make broad comments, but when dealing as individuals who they took time to get to know- they always seem to get along...

Stacie said...

That was really great! Haven't been reading blogs for a while. So glad I read this one!

CatLadyLarew said...

"All my life... what about you?"
Great line, Otin! And a great story!

Bridgette said...

I thought it was Obama in disguise too..you got me on that one Otin. Awesome story (like always)!!!

TechnoBabe said...

The people who discriminate because of pigment of other peoples skin are still in the minority thank God. They have no idea either how truly ignorant they sound. This was a great story. I so like it that a blind man sends the question back to the seeing man as to how long he has been blind.

JenJen said...

HORRAY!

O said...

You're giving us food for thought! I really hope I don't ever get to the stage where my vision is clouded by anger or hate - such a slippery slope!

Green-Eyed Momster said...

Very nice story, Otin! Well done, indeed!

Baino said...

I knew where you were going with this one but the point cannot be made often enough. Fortunately, I'm metaphorically blind, except when it comes to Chinese people driving Camrys.

Maggie said...

Nice Otin. People are still blinded by many things and it will take years for that to cease or maybe it may not. I'm not sure. It's really sad that there are a lot of closed minded people. I have never been offended by someone or have never offended someone for being from a different race. I have been really lucky to have always been surrounded by increedibly diverse open minded people.

Quirkyloon said...

Good work and great story Otin!

Respectfully Yours said...

Great story and lesson all rolled up in one. Well done. Have a great week.

Dianne said...

Good work,
did not see where that was going,
typically bloodshed in our small minded short sighted culture.
This is excelllent.

Eternally Distracted said...

I think this is one of my favourite posts of yours... loved it. Very well written with amazing insight.

On a funnier note...

One of my best friends is blind, he has no eyes at all and occasionally wears glass eyes. He often rocks back and forth as it helps his balance - and in turn makes everyone stare at him... We were sitting on a bus and the lady beside him was staring intently. i whispered in his ear to tell him this and he took out one eye, placed it on her lap and said 'I am watching you'!! Classic :0)

Raven said...

Very well said! A great story with a powerful moral.

Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) said...

I love this, Otin! You. Are. Brilliant. :)

AmyLK said...

Oh so true! Love the way you came around to that point.

Mighty M said...

Great story - even those with the most perfect of vision can be completely blind! Loved it!

Christina said...

Sadly, there are many people with ignorant views.

The Urban Cowboy said...

Fantastic story! It is unfortunate that there are still those that hate anything/anyone that does not conform to their little minds.

Kate Hanley said...

2 great stories! (just got caught up on the Hilary/Jason one). I never know if I should hold my tongue and ignore racist or sexist remarks or say something. Great story!

Pat said...

Wow! That was GREAT! Love the "moral" at the end! Another winner, Otin!

Bridgette said...

I sent you an email (on your yahoo account) explaining my situation.

Heidi said...

Perfect story for these times. Have you seen the group on FB that is praying for the Presidents death? It's horrible that they are allowed to publish such hatred.

Queenie Jeannie said...

Amen!!! Thanks for the great post!

sheila said...

I was originally thinking...you lost me at 'yankees cap'. lol. But OMG Otin, what a WONDERFULLLLLL post! I loved this!

How true, how true, how true! Kudos!

Jingle said...

http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/04/awards-are-given-to-jingle-by-kathy.html

Happy Tuesday!

the walking man said...

Smack on the nose Otin. Well said and well told as usual.

Dianne said...

Did I mention, I love the way you and Brian at Waystation One deal with bigotry toward people with a disability?
In answer to your question on my Prelude to a Nap blog, pull the plug on the rock.....roll onto the couch, yes, turn off the music/tv/noise in the room....do nothing/listen to nothing!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Great way of making a very valid point. Thanks Otin.
jj

Titanium said...

This is an outta the park home run, Otin.

So perfectly said. I'm taking this lesson with me.

natalee said...

love this story.....

gayle said...

Great job!!! Totally agree!!

~ Noelle said...

wow...
great story...
thanks