[Maru]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Your own people? Do we all have to be representative of whichever hue matches our own tone now? She is entitled to her opinion if you don't like it you are entitled to not read or respond Maru.

Without launching into a large explanation, my response was not meant for the purpose of saying "get in line", but except maybe remember that all who walked before you and beside you are working towards a common goal and that one should borrow their brothers and sister's experiences. I'm of a very strong opinion that people should work together, particularly those within the same communities, for a common goal and purpose because no one will have your back like those who have walked in your shoes before.

Her responses are very divisive and for me, quite disconcerting because this is a time that we should all be relying one each other. I was just pointing this out in my own little way because it is my take, but at the same time dipping my toe in to see if we both could have a conversation that can go beyond certain rhetoric. Are they open to constructive thoughts or is it all just reactionary? If she took my response as too personal and too blunt, then that is half the problem... this is a controversial topic, it's going to be personal. Am I supposed to ignore my own observations of discussion and feelings being expressed here and not voice my opinion? It just seems like so few are listening to each other, more would rather do all the talking...

That said, my own words, "your own people". A person's culture is more than just skin color, it's shared experiences and common ancestors and obstacles that need to be overcome or that they are working to overcome. I can't possibly have a conversation from those shoes, because I am not in the. If I started to act as if I completely understand, that wouldn't be right. However, to reach a common goal, there eventually will need to trying other people's shoes on to see each other's points... however I take offense to someone who can be so disrespectful to others fighting the same fight and yet have no respect for their experience in it.

I would argue to some degree that it is self-hate. The disconnect is clear which is why I wrote my response and was so blunt about it. Sorry if it doesn't sound 'sensitive', but I'm the type that does not beat around the bush. She and I are very similar in that manner.

Anyway, her other post was deleted as well and so the only thing left was the lone extreme response and that was the one I had the emotional reaction to.

She is not a representative, but the last thing we need is more hate. You've made a valid point, that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if I may be so bold

You're absolutely right. The last thing we need is more hate which is why I wrote my post. I think the other part that got taken out of context was when I mentioned people turning a blind eye. There are a few posters here who have made that clear and after a while you have to ask yourself if you'd just be fueling a pattern. She was very much allowed to write her own response, why would I tell someone what they can and cannot post? My post may have been very blunt and to the point in terms of trying to figure out if a conversation could happen, but I feel like the lines will get crossed anyway because these topics are so controversial and highly personalized.

Personally I enjoy reading ITILYTs posts, if she is angry then she is angry I respect her right to voice that anger and frustration, I am more than willing to give her the time of day... I object to those who wish to subdue others however whether in person or on a message board, and I have the cajones to express that.

I hope you appreciate this.

How am I stopping anyone from expressing an opinion? I was expressing my own? That doesn't mean someone can't reply? Wow, you really can't say anything these days Respectfully, I think my post was taken a little bit out of context because honestly I don't think that much about what I posted? I wrote my concern about getting involved because of the observation. Sometimes people just write and write, they're not really there to be discussed with and that was my concern there.

If you look at my reply, it's fairly neutral. Some of her response was offensive, but she had her go at me and that was it. I sent her a friend request to reach out but I'm not going to go out of my way to be verbally abused when I legitimately do care about someone's POV's and wanted to strike a conversation. Her posts at times do not come off as welcoming discussion. I was afraid to take a chance? Many of her posts are outright name calling. I would love to discuss, but I'm only human and even I have a limit to what I can tolerate. I imagine some feel the same, which is why I wrote my post, to see if we could break the cycle?

Anyway, these are controversial discussions and I really feel to get anywhere, there needs to be trust and common respect. There seems to be little in this case, so I had already let it go. She had her rant at me and I wish her the best. I have no issues putting anyone on ignore so I already have her on there out of respect tbf. I did not want to be "tempted" by an intense discussion and find out it turns into verbal abuse and she didn't seem too keen on me with her reply but you can never be too sure. There is a lot of that going on in this particular section and I'd just like to avoid getting into some of the more ill language posts on here. I feel ill when I end up in passive aggressive conversations as they don't do me any world of good and they're predictable to be in anyway.

I do appreciate your words and I don't mind your "calling me out".

Edit: Opps, it turned into a large explanation. Sorry about that