Shout Out To Miserable Stranger

Things happen for a reason. Sometimes that reason isn't apparent at the time.

Two days ago, I had a confrontation with a stranger in a public place.  It was just weird and it was about nothing.  Two complete strangers in a mall getting into each other's face.  I was there shopping for a wedding shower present.  She was there to spread her misery, I assume.  Ironically, we were looking at the same item when she felt compelled to point out another customer who was a "minority" and tell an off-colour joke.  For a brief second, I wondered what was wrong with me.  What was it about me that signaled that I would find this funny.  I looked into her eyes and all I saw was intolerance and ignorance.  I am a social justice warrior.  I know that the combination of intolerance and ignorance lead to injustice.  I knew I couldn't let that comment go.  Somehow, we were in an unpleasant conversation and voices were raised.  The back-and-forth went on until she walked away when I was in mid-sentence.  She may have been miserable but she was also a coward.

For some reason, that confrontation took a lot out of me.  I was depleted.  As I was telling my partner this story, I had a flash that I knew this woman from somewhere.  I tried to place her and then it dawned on me.  I thought she was one of the "white people".  I couldn't believe I was having a confrontation with one of the "white people" on the eve of ground-breaking of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.

https://spitfiretakesontheworld.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-of-my-saddest-days-in-winnipeg.html

My partner and I booked time off so that we could attend the ground-breaking ceremony.  As we were getting ready to go, I announced that I wasn't going.  Unfortunately, the confrontation the previous day had depleted my personal resources more than I wanted.  I just didn't have the energy.  My partner was going no matter what so I could live the experience vicariously through him later on.  He wanted me to come.  Unfortunately, he doesn't ask for much.  He is supportive of my journey with depression but, he also doesn't want ignorance and intolerance to rule my life.  I reluctantly agreed to go.  I made him promise that he would stand near me and hold my hand and not let go of my hand.  We were standing at the back and I was deep breathing.  Everything was fine until he found someone he knew from his basketball days.  He let go of my hand and left me alone. 
I looked around and I was standing next to a "white person."  Not just any "white person" but the man who was holding a sign at the door of the public meeting a year ago and was trying to discourage people from entering.  And then his wife stood came up and stood even closer to me.  I'm making an assumption here.  They may not be married but she put her arm around him and gave him a kiss.  It was the woman from the previous day.  And, there I was.  Shoulder to breast bone with her.  (What can I say, I'm pretty short.)  I started to panic and wanted to run away.  But, I also knew that I could live through this.  As with any panic attack, it starts to end with a single breathe.  I started listening to this couple.  They were just miserable people looking for the bad in life.  I wondered what they were doing there, but, I also remembered her cowardice the previous day.  I felt they would be consistent.  Sure enough, once the official program started, they left.  (I don't know what they expected, a last-minute call from the Governor staying the execution?) 

The ceremony was both classy and down-to-earth.  /A triumph for those who believe in redemption and recovery.  I was so glad I went.  And, I'm really grateful to the miserable stranger.  She reminded me why supportive non-judgmental facilities are needed.  She reminded me of the many obstacles there are to recovery.  She reminded me that there are still people who think it is perfectly acceptable to put down a minority group to a stranger.  I think the word is entitled.  I am grateful that she ended up enhancing my enjoyment of the ground-breaking ceremony. 

Things happen for a reason. 





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One of my saddest days in Winnipeg

Image
I felt compelled to attend an information meeting of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.  Compelled because it will be, not in my neighbourhood, but in my City Ward.  Compelled after reading Bruce's story and his family's wish to make this recovery centre his legacy.  Compelled because of the opposition to this centre.  I wanted my voice to be a positive one. Since the land has already been rezoned, the BORC is going to happen and the meeting was to update the community on progress and get input on a few minor details.   I didn't realize that it would be one of the saddest days I have experienced in Winnipeg.   When I arrived, I experienced the "white people". They were people dressed in white who were there to oppose the Centre.  In order to get in to the community centre, I had to pass two "white people" who were at the door with placards in opposition.  It was intimidating.  They didn't deter anyone from entering but th...
Read more

There's Something from Jenny - Part 2

Image
I am trying to evolve as a blogger.  One of my friends told me that I needed to start adding my pictures to my blog so that people would know who they are communicating with.  So, good, bad, or ugly, I am adding my picture as much as I can.  It makes me feel vulnerable.  Not as vulnerable as I would feel if I was running for Mayor of a major Canadian city. I can't imagine how vulnerable I would feel, having every move and every word analyzed and taken out of context.  Perspective always defines your reality.  For example, I could tell you that I witnessed a murder by the Superstore last week.  That might bring up some powerful images in your mind.  Then, there would be those who know that a group of crows is called a murder.  That gives my previous statement have a whole different image in your mind.  So, when I spent an hour with Jenny Motkaluk that was my biggest impression.  She doesn't mind being vulnerable.  She just w...
Read more

Seriously? Opposition to BORC opening at old Vimy Arena Site

Image
I decided to go for a walk today.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  My quest was to understand the home owner's opposition to having the closed arena site being converted to a much needed addiction treatment facility.  I took some pictures on my phone and want to explain what I found out.  The first picture was taken while I was standing on the immense green space at the back of the old Vimy Arena.  You can see in the background what is the closest residential development.  It is a town house complex.  In order for someone who was participating in treatment at BORC to interact with someone living in the complex, they would have to walk and then cross a creek, and then get through the trees.  I would think the residents living in that complex would be more worried about the drainage pipe that leads on the creek.  I would be concerned about a wandering child being trapped in there.  The second pic...
Read more