How do we discern what is right and what is wrong when there are so many gray areas? I recently corrected someone I thought was wrong ... really wrong. Now I feel badly about doing so. Was it right or wrong for me to correct this person? I "dressed down" someone whom I love, that I have known all my life, and who is 20+ years older than I.
We all make mistakes and anyone knowing me knows I have made a bundle in my life. Some are little mistakes, but some have bordered on huge. Many times I wish I could undo some things and do them a bit better, but hindsight is always more spot on than decisions we make when we are in the midst of something. Most big decisions I've made were based on the best information I had at the time and hopefully made the best (if not the right) choice.
My current dilemma deals with those emails that continue to be forwarded around in cyberspace. Someone comes up with some story that has either no bit of truth to it or only a modicum of truth and sends it until it circumnavigates the globe 5000 times. These topics generally denigrate one group of people while making sure the recipient of the email understands that if she does not pass it on to everyone on her email list she is not a "true American", does not believe in "the one true God", will have terrible luck brought down upon her, oh, and my personal favorite "you have no soul".
Below is the ending of the email ... the part that lets me know what a terrible person I am if I don't forward it on to everyone on my email list.
Good old American
Passive-Aggressive A$$ Whoopin!
Pass this along,
that we're all working together!
If you can read this.
Thank a teacher...
If you are reading it in English....
THANK A SOLDIER!!!
Who ever thought "passive-aggressive" was a good thing? Does this mean if I don't pass it along that I'm not working to make America better? Why are we tossing teachers into this fray? Why does the propagator of this think that this can be read in English because of a soldier? Soldier from where? Teacher from where? This ending offends me almost as much as the main text of the email did ... which I'm not going to put in my blog. If I added it here it would be much worse than forwarding it to the few people on my email. I did explain exactly how to check on snopes.com for the accuracy of the text. Hopefully these kind of emails will get checked in the future before they are sent out.Now to get off my soap box ... mind my own business ... think happy thoughts ... work in the yard ... and hope my friend forgives me for bringing to his attention that I think it is wrong to forward emails that are full of hate words.
7 comments:
I find them repugnant as well, Cheryl.
I ALWAYS feel bad if I speak my mind. We shouldn't.
You are entitled to say how you feel, even if it offends some one.
All you can do is to try to deliver it well, and apologise for causing pain afterwards.Not apologise for your point of view, you are entitled to it.
Personally,I find those emails intrusive.Unforgiveable to me, loathe intrusion.xx♥
Janis, it is an insult to our intelligence to treat us as though we have no brains.
Good for you for exposing this mindless game.
I agree with Natalie & lakeviewer-- it's important to let people know you're not comfortable with certain opinions. Living in Idaho, we have conservative friends, & there are some I've had to let know that certain opinions are not "ok" or "funny" or "acceptable" with me. I thought the "reading it in English" line crossed a line, as did some stuff earlier on. As for chain emails specifically-- I never pass them on, just on principle.
John, I never pass these on either and have let people who send me politically inappropriate emails that I'm not interested & to please eliminate me from their list.
Natalie, I felt I had to reply because I was so offended at receiving this particular type email. I feel sure the person sending it knew I wouldn't appreciate it ... so why send it to me?
Rosaria, it does chap me to be treated like this. Thanks for the words.
Good on you Lizzy for saying your piece. I'm sure you said it with respect and sensitivity.
I ignore all of those chain letters, even if I am doomed in the doing!
Cheryl;
You are my people.
You are dead on by doing what you are doing.
I personally think that some things from older people have to be corrected. Absolutely it is never to late to correct an injustice.
I always say what I need to but I keep in mind who I am speaking too. I say what I have to say with the required respect for the person. I do not let it slide.
You are wonderful.
I hate those emails and I always look at the person who sends them differently. I delete the email immediately.
I am thankful though that I rarely if ever get them, as people know where I stand. They can send them to each other all they like, but don't sent it or say it to me.
I definitely believe in speaking your mind, and that person is also allowed to speak theirs. We can agree to disagree, but some things are just deal breakers and not okay.
Love Renee
p.s. I think this was a very important post.
Okay, I'm zipping it up now. blah blah blah
Lizzy Frizzy,
Don't worry about what other people think of your opinion. Your words will either gnaw at them for expressing yourself, or your words will gnaw at you for not expressing what it is you need to say to them.
Although I always err on the side of caution (aka be diplomatic), sometimes people just need to be corrected, and they just may be the better for your words of wisdom.
(PS - please forgive me any bad grammar above)
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