Recently, I have had the unfortunate experience of being around folks who say or think things that I find offensive. I’m not talking about minor stuff, but the big stuff…bigotry, prejudice, etc. I don’t always know how to handle it when people say things that are inappropriate. I was raised by perhaps the most diversity obsessed individual put on this planet. My dad studied African American history, and directed his life around the notion of growing diversity in his personal life, college life, and in Lewiston, Maine of all places.

My brothers and I used to joke that dad would have been most satisfied if we had chosen partners of different races, sexual orientation, cultures and faiths. He found difference exciting and crucial to growth. I think I have taken this unique perspective for granted in my life. Not all people are raised this way and there are a lot of people who experience family cultures that promote fear, prejudice and hate. Others just don’t have the life experiences or exposure to difference that allows them to grow.

Anyhow, recently I didn’t speak up when I should have. I don’t have patience anymore for any sort of prejudice towards people of different races, cultures, religions, sexual orientation, gender, etc. I find intolerance intolerable. So here I am saying it out loud and pledging that going forward I won’t stay quiet. I don’t have space in my life for people that carry hate or judgement of others they simply don’t know. This conflict fearing lady is putting on her big-girl, 50 year-old pants, and saying I won’t stay quiet. Don’t be my friend if you want to judge or label groups based on difference.

Enough said.