JeffM's Page

Hi Jeff. I just joined the community and I'm not great with computer stuff but I just read your poem. What struck me was how much I related to it and I am 66. I began traveling abroad when I was 21. Since my 40's I've been traveling on the economy. Either way the feelings you described, and those of Shara Lili, come up. We are who we are, born into the life and teachings of our families. It can be a difficult road, navigating racial predjudice, economic privileges, religious guilts - just trying to be kind, generous, helpful can lead to a pot of anger, resentment and violence. Women feel subjugated and patronized by men, men of color feel looked down upon by white men, white men feel threatened by men of color, children deal with mixed messages of comfort, fun, love from adults who later smack them down in many ways. At 66 I am trying to teach my grandchildren to LISTEN and WATCH before drawing conclusions about what others do, but I think it will always be a delicate and tentative walk, that of being the good Guest!