Intolerance in America

The Bayberry Inn is our workplace and also our home. People from all over the world and diverse cultures come to visit. Conversing with guests from all over the world, you learn not to fall upon clichés, insensitive jokes, or any other comment that may hint at racism, hatred, or cultural bias because you never know to whom you're speaking.

Unfortunately, the people who have come here and have publicly expressed their ethnic and cultural biases were Americans. In the current environment; it has been said that "at least they are out in the open." On the other hand, the fence-sitters who did not have the chutzpah to show themselves now have reason to.

One person describing their trip to Hawaii said that "there were Japs as far as the eye can see." The customer also stated that she went only because her husband made her go. The statement was also made that the only reason the Obama was elected was because he was black. Oddly, her husband is Mexican and his name is Allasandro; a very pleasant man who seemed a bit awkward. She said she usually prefers to travel only within the US. She exhibited quite a bit of distain for visiting foreign countries. When she and her husband went on vacation, they would travel alone to different places.

Those who heard those remarks during breakfast were angry about what they heard. As a result, they all had a brief discussion about regional manners. This is an example of the racial and ethnic bigotry prevalent in our society, which recently revealed, the extent of intolerance that many people thought no longer existed. You chose to be, and you chose not to be a bigot or, you are unaware of your prejudices.

The immediate effect was to smear the image of many Americans before those guests that were from France, irritated the guests from New York; possibly reinforcing the stereotype of people from the south and it disgusted the guests who were Jewish.

Education is always the first solution, and it does have an impact upon those who are just unaware of others, but this is not always the case. Many chose their bias freely and willingly. Some people change when they meet prejudice and discrimination personally and realize it is wrong. Others do become wiser as they get older. The only real solution is a change of heart. You can't legislate a change of heart. The change must be willing.