How Sensitive are you?
By cyntrow
@cyntrow (8523)
United States
January 20, 2008 1:16pm CST
I'm talking about sensitivity regarding race, religion, nationality, gender, etc. A short time ago, I started a discussion about something that has been getting on my nerves lately. Within this discussion, I mentioned a certain nationality who's members I found through observation were the perpetrators of this irrating thing. Only one of the respondents of that nationality sought to educate me and even apologized for the offensiveness of the thing in question. The other respondants of that nationality were overly sensitive, in my opinion, regarding the subject. I was completely attacked by one. Somewhat attacked by others. One even attempted to tell me that it was not offensive to them, so I should not be upset by it either.
But this got me thinking. I while back, I started a discussion about being a child of hippies. Someone replied with a stereotypical view of what a hippie was. i could have gotten angry. Afterall, it was my family they were talking about. Instead, I used the opportunity to educate and it started a great dialogue. I have done the same thing with homosexuality. I have done the same thing with religion.
So, I wonder, how sensitive are you? If someone makes a claim about some part of you that you know to be incorrect, do you get angry and jump down their throat, or do you make an attempt to see their side and try to educate them; perhaps learn a little bit yourself in the process.
Any thoughts?
3 people like this
5 responses
@Cajunhellcat (2073)
• United States
23 Jan 08
Depends on what kind of mood I'm in I look at it this way god made us all and we are what we are We had no choice of what color we was before we cane here we all are created in God's image and that is the way I feel
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
20 Jan 08
I am very sensitive about a lot of things but other's people's stupidity isn't one of them.I know there are people who just know I am going to h*ll just because I am not a Christian.I know there are people who think I am a not as good because I am female and there isn't Anything I can do or say to change their minds.
I think that many people take simply statements about someone in their group as personal attacks so they attack back. They may not have even heard or understood the original statement but they are going to attack the person who said it.I think there would be less hatred if people could say exactly what they mean And people could hear exactly what is said.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
27 Jan 08
I certainly try to see their side and understand why they have the misconception about me that they have and absolutely, I try to educate them and hopefully learn something myself. One thing I would want very much to learn would be how or why they got the idea they had about me or others like me. I’m sensitive but I hope my sensitivity is in a good way, as in sensitive to others feelings and trying to put myself in their place about things. I’ve taken part in many of your previous discussions as you know, Cyn, so I know full well what kind of responses you’ve gotten at times. It’s happened to me from time to time about being too “liberal”. Then I’ll be told all the stereotypes about what I think and believe in and what I want to do to others. What I believe is that we should be able to all get along and learn to understand each other and respect each other’s views and hopefully open our own minds to new ideas while at the same time being able to say so when we think something is wrong. I can’t say I’ve never gotten angry or that I’ve never said something I wished I hadn’t said, either here or in my offline life, but I really work hard at not flying off the handle and jumping down someone’s throat.
Annie
@mummymo (23706)
•
22 Jan 08
Great discussion cyn honey! I can categorically state that although I try to be patient and see things from many angles I am fiercely defensive and sensitive to my beliefs - and espescially patriotic about my country! Whenever people are deregotary or make some of the usual sterotypical assumptions about the Scottish race such as being, miserly, aggressive or drunken it really makes my blood boil and I want to jump to the defence of my country and fellow Scots. However I do know the weak points of our nation and even when some of these assumptions are correct it bothers me that people think they are true of each and every one of us! I will keep trying and hopefully one day I will become more calm and patient! xx
