According to my twelve-year-old son.
He is doing my reputation and my character a huge injustice.
(There's that word again--injustice! Funny how it just conveniently keeps popping up. *big, slow, deliberate wink*)
This might seem cheesy, but I looked the word up at Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
Racism:What?
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
He thinks I am a racist?
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I have never ever judged a person by the color of their skin. I judge others by how quirky they are or are not. Isn't that the number one "judging" criteria by most people?
But really, I love brown, black, yellow, red, and yes, even white people. It matters not to me where they come from, or how they speak, just be nice and friendly to me and I'll be nice and friendly to you. That's all I ask.
So what gives with this horrendous accusation?
Let's go back to the event that precipitated the bestowal of this notorious label.
It's carpool time.
Everyday I go pick up my 12-year-old son, his friend, and one 14-year-old girl and drive them home from junior high-school. Their parents handle the driving to the school in the mornings. Works wonderfully well for me. This has been going on since mid-August, but until last week, I had not given the girl a ride home.
She was involved in after-school sports. Now, volleyball season is over and she has been needing a ride home.
I told my son that we were going to let her ride in the front. He could sit in the back with his friend and little brother. The boys in the back, the girls in the front.
Whooo-weeee!
You would have thought I tried to cut off his guitar playing hands.
When we arrived home, he had a conniption fit.
I was stunned.
Okay, he was definitely acting like a spoiled brat, but I let him have his say.
Very generous of me, I know.
"Mom, you're a racist! Why should she be able to sit in the front. I'm YOUR son! You're making me feel like I'm not important to you. Why does she get to sit up there, because she's a gir-irl? I can't believe how racist you are being to me. Don't I matter? Why should her feelings be more important than mine? Just because she is a girl? That's so racist!"
I am still stunned.
I was utterly embarrassed and appalled by his behavior.
Thank goodness it was in the privacy of our own home, because I let that booger-brat have it. I mean, I gently corrected him and lovingly explained how his perceptions were a wee bit skewed and just a little bit wrong. I could tell that he finally understood after our thoughtful and tender conversation.
*bats eyelashes*
"First of all, Son... let's learn what racism really means shall we? Open your dictionary to the 'r' pages.... blah, blah, blah, blah.
"And, now let's talk about how you are appearing to be quite disrespectful, but I know you don't mean to be, because I know you love me and would never intentionally be rude to me... blah, blah, blah, blah.
"And, let's not forget how your accusations are without substantial justification, and how I'll be kicking your behind out the car door and you can walk home if you ever make a peep about this again....blah, blah, blah, blah.
"And last, but not least, I must firmly declare: I am not a racist! I'm a sexist! Please, get it straight next time."
What?
Just keepin' it real, folks.
Genderly, erm, I mean genuinely real.
B.S. No Quirkyloon sons were harmed during the production of this post, unless you define emotional and psychological torture as "harm."
14 comments:
So you're racist against your own flesh and blood are you? Does that mean you detest yourself? Nah, that doesn't work. Geez, the things kids come up with! Just last night Becca accused me of being a slave driver. Yep you heard me correctly. She has chores to do around the house and that makes her my slave. So she too got a loving and gentle lesson on just exactly what slavery is and just how good she's got it with the few chores she does have to do. If I can make it sound amusing as you have, I just may blog about it!
Quirks: I didn't know you were into NASCAR! Gee, we have more in common than I thought.
Be thankful that's all he's calling you Quirks; my son (now 19 and still living, so I obviously didn't hear most of his mutterings) said much worse about me, I have no doubt...
First of all, you're trying to talk "sense" and "reason" with a kid - even your kid - so no amount of documentation or resource material (i.e. websters) will help - you, as a parent, are not allowed to confuse the issue with "facts." Totally irrelevant. All you can do is keep the confused young human being alive long enough to grow up and mature, keep setting a good example, and PRAY that he sees the light one day. That's it. period.
And you are definitely NOT a racist. A Quirkcist, perhaps - definitely play favorites toward people of deep quirkster coloration, but racist? No way.
So relax, there's hope.
The Old Silly
Awwww, bless his little heart. He just wanted to sit up front and look cool and be with his mom.
Good thing you kicked his butt and straightened him out on the meaning of the word though. Heaven forbid you ever pick him up and he's sporting a black-eye for name-calling.
You son has to just learn his mom is a Sexist Quirkyloon that is anti black olives (guess the only racist thing about you) and anti Air Supply (but you don't hate all Australians)
How did you keep a straight face??? Almost like the time my four year old was very peeved at us and called us both a couple of F**kn Azzholes (no misspelling or pronounciation thank you). His dad and I worked very hard to not laugh and tell him that we never want to hear him use that sort of language ever again - he is 29 and I still have yet to hear those words from him - in my presence.
@Skye Ha! Slave driver. I've heard that one before too! Gah! *smile*
@Noname Hey, I didn't know I was into NASCAR either! Wow! *smile*
@Venom I think it's a blessing in disguise that we lose our hearing as we get older. It's all part of the plan. *wink*
@Marvin Hope? There's hope? Thank-you! For the record, I'm still maintaining my sexist ways with the ride home. *grin*
@MeMe Maybe a black eye is what he needs? Not from me...of course, but I wouldn't press charges. Does that make me a bad Mommy? Ha!
@Joanne You are so right! I guess I am a little bit racist against olives. And you are correct ma'am, I don't hate Australians, even Air Supply as human beings. It's their music I can't stand. *cheesy grin*
Wow, you really handled that well. I think I'd have been a sputtering (non-quirky) loon. Good thing you posted about it so you can show it to him or his date when he's 20. Almost as good as bear-assed on a bearskin rug for embarrassment potential. And maybe you are a Quirkist, but if that's wrong, don't make me right.
You tell him, Girl. Girls rule!
Ladies first. He had best get used to it.
;-)
@Kablooey Well thanks, I have to admit I was speechless at first. That's why he was able to rant as long as he did! Ha! I'm hoping like Marvin said, maybe he doesn't get it now, but one day...hopefully?
@Reffie That's right: girls do rule! *smile*
just popped over from Cat Lady. Funny stuff here, even if you ARE racist! Oh and btw- Air Supply was my first ever concert. I think it maybe have been 1982 or so. Woo woo. I think I went with my best friend and her parents. I don't usually tell people tho so lets keep it between us. Umkay?
just popped over from Cat Lady. Funny stuff here, even if you ARE racist! Oh and btw- Air Supply was my first ever concert. I think it maybe have been 1982 or so. Woo woo. I think I went with my best friend and her parents. I don't usually tell people tho so lets keep it between us. Umkay?
@rxBambi Ha! Don't worry. No. 1, I won't hold it against you. You were young and the young do foolish things *smile* AND No. 2, you're secret is safe with me! *zippers lips, throws away the key*
"I'm not a racist, I just like her better" would've worked well also.
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