Several times this week I have had people come to me and start a conversation about last week’s EDL static protest in Leicester. The first question asked was…what do you think about what happened last weekend? The second conversation started with the comment that far too many people from other countries were taking our jobs, etc…and that they should go back to where they belong. The third one was a monologue from an elderly man who in the end I had to guide out of the building before I lost it and did something I would regret!! When he asked me what made Britain I told him ‘you and me’ and he said ‘but not them’
The man smoked a cigarette outside then came back in and apologized for swearing but we we still had to agree to disagree. He now knows that if he comes into our coffee morning he cannot swear or upset people with his loud opinions! I sat him down and changed the subject by asking him if he liked coming into our coffee mornings. He said yes. I asked him if he liked me. He said yes. I asked him if he liked the changes I had made since my arriving to this job. He said yes.
I then told him a story about a 14 year old girl from South America who whilst living in Chile had to make a difficult decision. The air fare would be paid for her but would she stay there or move to England where her grandmother lived. She decided that moving to England and starting a new life there would be a good thing. At the time she did not feel safe or in a position to make a life for herself there, and had nothing so she came to England with one suitcase and built her life in England. I asked him…What do you think about that? He said that the girl was the very ‘they’ that he had been talking about. He said that as sorry as he felt, that he was not a racist, but people can’t just do that.
I said that girl was me.
He said that I was different, that he was not talking about me.
I said that I was ‘they’ and that he should make up his mind and decide what he believed.
He said that was not easy.
I said ‘Result!’
Well said and well done! John xx
Thank you, darling, for all your help today with the computer! xx
Indeed, very well said and well done! I have had similar things said to me since moving to Canada 16 years ago, although I realise that I didn’t have to make the same decision as you did at such a young age.
One Sunday after church I was sitting having a coffee and a conversation with a few of the older guys from the congregation. The talk turned to immigrants and how they should go back to where they came from, because the country was going downhill quickly. One of them even said he’d be willing to help them pack up and go. So I asked him to clarify and said if I could find him one would he be willing to do that. He said for sure he would. To which I replied that he could come home with me and help me pack and I’d go. Unfortunately, I got the same response as you, that I was different and he wasn’t talking about me. It’s sad, but that’s the way some people think. I just don’t let them off with it in my company any more.
Well done. It is good you are not letting people get away with it anymore because in the end (I am beginning to find ) that it is the way to get through that they is… him and you! You and I are in a very good position to challenge others because we are not black or obvious candidates to them.
And…what about our opinions on it as Christians? The people who I refer to are not. But there are many Christians who think alike about ‘these’ immigrants, etc…. What would Jesus do? Would he pack their bags? Result!! Keep the good work! God Bless Your Ministry! xx