A Reason to Share

Some friends may feel I share too much.
I’m not shy about sharing my opinions on important matters.
Recently, some friends have said it’s important to speak up about racial injustice.

This is one way I can share my voice - through these strangers. Wonderful, friendly and beautiful people who I met while doing my 100 Strangers project. When I talked with them we did not talk about their personal experiences in this racially biased world - I didn’t think about it as we talked about a variety of other topics. Did we treat each other differently because of the difference in our skin colour? I'd like to think not, but maybe. I look into their faces now and wonder about how different their lives must be and suspect they have all faced racial prejudice. I can try and relate but my white privilege is a barrier to truly understanding. I hope these words do not offend anyone who is black, I’m not pretending to know what your life is like. Actually Newt Gingrich says it clearly in Ava DuVernay’s 13th “ virtually no one who is white understands the challenge of being black in America”. But I am on your side and I believe #BlackLivesMatter.

All I know is that these strangers, these people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting matter to me. Friends here in Toronto, acquaintances I’ve made south of the border and the stories that sadden me dearly like George Floyd - they all matter to me. I truly hope there’s a way forward that makes their lives and their families lives safer and fairer.

There’s another part in 13th where Cory Greene says “...we don’t need to see pictures to understand what’s going on”. But Van Jones says “you have to shock people into paying attention”. I do pay attention and I’m paying attention now.
But just this week, I caught myself being racist. When I was talking with a work friend about another person in our company, I said a “black guy” in the East.  Why did I have to say he was black.  I’d say that is an example of racism, of being racist.  

I called the man in question and apologized. We had a long chat about racism as well as work.   He was hesitant to say that what I said was racist but did say that people don’t realize the impact of their words.

I also apologized to my friend and they reflected on the fact that they heard me say it and didn't say something. They said they are working on speaking up more often.

I think that’s what we can all do. In addition to making sure we are accountable for our own words, we need to be responsible for speaking out when others are racist.

I apologize. As it’s said with many problems, the first step is recognizing the problem.

Allsright thanks to Elliott

I'm flying home from Texas on American Airlines. A new Airbus aircraft, but configured into economy cramped quarters. Early in the flight I head aft to ask for a cup of hot water for my tea. The flight attendant isn't impressed by my ad-hoc request and says the beverage service will start shortly. I wait (having discarded a horrid latte from my first flight of the morning).

A different flight attendant serves me my hot water, but my miscalculated gesture (in very tight quarters) knocks the entire cup over. I was lucky to be wearing jeans and no electronics were in the splash path. I'm rather wet and not very impressed by AA.

There is a little boy behind me and I've heard a few comments from his parents - keeping him entertained and comfortable for this 2.5 hour flight.

After the beverage service is over, the little boy is walking up the aisle with his mom. But not just to stretch his legs, he begins handing out goodie bags full of candy. He hands out maybe 20 bags, each one with printed note:

I compose a tweet and comment on the very thoughtful gesture to the parents and write this post.

Just when I think my morning was going to be a disappointing end to a successful and relatively enjoyable business trip, Elliott and his parents restore my faith in the good nature of people.

Bumped into Jason

As I work form home these days, I'm not taking the subway as often and missing out on hearing some of the great musicians that busk in the stations.  I met Jason Crawford playing jazz on his 8 string guitar at my local Eglinton station back in the spring of 2010.  Jason became #51 in my 100 Stranger project.  I used to see him every few weeks but I hadn't seen him for many months.  I happened to play one of his CDs on Wednesday night.  Then heading downtown on Friday I bump into him at Queen station.  Great to see you Jason - sounding superb as ever.

Tom at home - #112/365

Tom at home - #112/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I had spotted Tom's shop the week before and made a point of stopping by to take some exterior shots of his interesting looking Ironman shop. As I was taking a few shots, Tom popped out, said hi and opened his front door. I took that as an invitation and walked in to find myself in his combined shop and home. We chatted a while about my stranger project and he told me a funny story about an incident in Greece taking a photo of a policeman on a motercycle. Someone out there may recognize Tom as part of the Junk Raiders reality TV show cast. Out of the shot is a cozy cat on his couch and a German Shepherd that appeared friendly but suspected doubled as a guard dog. I think his home shows what a true character Tom is. TV star, wrought iron blacksmith and a true friendly stranger. So happy I stopped by and very pleased with the photos.

Frank

Frank - #58/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
From was our waiter/bartender at B44, a superb Spanish restaurant on Belden Place in San Francisco.