Pessimists R Us

[quesarah]

I take the train to work. From the train station I take a bus to my lab. The bus stop is roughly a half mile and gives me a pleasant walk each way. Yesterday evening it was misting rain and chilly, but not horribly so. I began my walk to the bus stop like any other day.

Two different drivers offered me a ride. One fellow in an SUV pulled a u-turn so he could make sure I was okay. "No one should have to walk in the rain," he said. I thanked both of them but declined. How nice of them to stop. Sometimes people surprise me. Happy thoughts.

After I arrived at the bus stop I watched the regulars walk up; a young black man, a scruffy long-haired white man, and the usual group of Mexican-American men and women from the nearby businesses. All walking up...

Did anyone stop to offer them a ride or is that still one of the "bonuses" of being an innocuous-looking white woman? How much progress have we really made? Is it ever going to get better? Is it better anywhere else? Is it even possible to combat racism or are we horribly inevitably fucked?

Comments

[biogeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

Maintaining that fine tradition of 90% of the women simon knows being gay. :)

Which maintains the tradition that 80% of the men I know have many lesbian friends. ;)

And I don't think it's necessary a sexist thing, either. But wouldn't it be lovely to live in a world where anyone walking along the road-- be it man, woman, something in between, and of any color imaginable-- would be offered a ride? Just because helping each other was the societal norm.

Do you think we'll ever get there?

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

I wonder if once guys discover how great lesbians are to have as friends, they somehow subconsciously seek out more.

And yes, it would be nice to live in that world. Where people help out. But, we have too much fear. Which is terribly terribly sad, because I'm fairly certain the psychopathic hitch-hiker is probably in the minority.

He said, tempting fate.

Do I think we'll ever get there? No. Fear is endemic to the human soul, and I don't see how we can ever change that.

[biogeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

And yes, it would be nice to live in that world. Where people help out. But, we have too much fear. Which is terribly terribly sad, because I'm fairly certain the psychopathic hitch-hiker is probably in the minority.

True. It doesn't help matters when, in this country, our government actively tries to brew more fear and distrust. This "homeland security" and "terror alert level" nonsense serve no purpose but to keep us all afraid.

Which could arguably be their true purpose. Have you seen the movie Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore?

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

It must be really awful having to live in America now, I really feel for you guys. With your homeland security and assorted other fascist police state nonsense. I mean, things are pretty bad here with Tony Bastard Blair in charge, but, it's nothing by comparison.

And yes, I have seen Bowling for Columbine. And while I disagree with one or two of his points, I do agree about the fear thing.

As does Hunter apparently. And if Hunter thinks it, then, there must be something in it. :(

[biogeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

It does suck, frankly. I don't say this often because it can be strange to hear it coming from a liberal freako shit-stirrer, but I love my country. Some of our ideals and principles are pretty right on, even if we don't always live up to them. To see them crushed under the jackbooted heels of the current Executive branch of the federal government enrages me nearly to the point of helplessness.

I haven't felt this alienated since (guess when) the Reagan administration.

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

I used to love my country. But I don't anymore. I came to the realisation that the line between Patriotism and Nationalism was a very very fine one. And that there were really no acceptable faces to Nationalism.

These days I'm into people a lot more than I'm into countries. But, that's just me. I have odd ideas about things sometimes. :)

So, do you feel confident that Dubya is going to be thrown out on his ear at the next election?

Assuming of course that some spurious 'State of Emergency' isn't declared, and the next presidential elections actually happen.

[biogeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

For me, it's a bit of a reaction against the conservative types who claim anyone who isn't on their side automatically hates their country. As if patriotism is defined by supporting unconstitutional policies. Idiots.

People here aren't happy with Dubya right now, and there's a good chance he'll get the boot next year.This is provided the Democratic party doesn't totally fuck up before then. *crosses fingers*

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

Michael Moore was on tv recently saying that he thought public opinion in America was quite finely balanced in favour/against Dubya, 50/50.

[biogeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

That's a pretty significant fall, given that his approval rating post 9/11 was in the 80% range. The view is, Bush is becoming less popular and more vulnerable.