Yesterday at work, we had go through training to sell a new service. While completing our final class, our Trainer brought up the fact that Donald Trump was in South Carolina. She expressed her concerns and started a dialogue. She began saying that she didn’t think that he has the ability to relate to the rest of us. She said that like us, he has no idea what it’s like to work for $9 an hour. To live from paycheck to paycheck. She said that the whole point to her for a President, to be able to be able to relate to the American people.
This started a dialogue that brought up a variety of subjects including Politics and Race. Now, these are typically subjects that people tend to avoid, because they don’t want to offend anybody. And she stated that if anyone was uncomfortable, that we could stop the conversation. But, no one wanted to stop the conversation. We all talked about a variety of issues facing our country and what we think about the representatives from each party. One lady, said that she’s leaning towards Donald Trump. Because, he’s a businessman and she feels that he knows and has what it takes to get the US out of debt. And she thinks that Hilary is not a good candidate. Because, there are countries that don’t acknowledge women and she feels that countries would not accept her as our leader.
Then, there was a young woman that said she’s give him credit for being a good businessman, but Business and Politics are two totally different things. And she don’t think that he has what it takes to be a good leader. Then, she said that she thinks that the rules for voting should be more open than it is. She was talking about the fact that felons don’t get to vote. And she said that should be changed. The Trainer chimed in and said, ‘That it depends upon what they are in jail for.’ And then, the young lady agreed and said if it’s for a lesser crime, that they should be allowed to vote.
Then, there was one young lady that said she’d vote for Bernie Sanders, while other said that they’d vote for Hilary. And some said that they didn’t care or were unsure. Then, the subject of race took the floor. People started talking about how they were raised and how they were raised to see people, not race or color. Then, the Trainer began talking about her children and how her children plays with other kids. And how all they see, are children that are their age and their level, and they just think about playing and having fun. She said, but there will always be one parent that will come and get their child and pull them away. And I can relate to that.
When I was younger, I was in dance class. One of the greatest things that I’ve ever done, because it taught me a lot about diligence and learning new things. Anyway, I was home-schooled also. We were a part of this christian homeschool association and my best friend was a white girl. I would call and talk to her and she’s call me. When we’d see each other at functions, we were always hanging out with each other. One day, I invited her to my dance recital. All of a sudden, I heard her Mother talking to her in background, telling her that they couldn’t go. And she was asking why not. Her mother gave the impression that she couldn’t go, because we were Black!
Absolutely shocked, is an understatement. I could not believe what I was hearing. I could not believe that! A family that my Mom knew and Grandmother knew, and for them to say that was just horrible!
That was the first time that I had experienced racism. I didn’t know what it was, all I knew was that I didn’t like it. I knew that I hated it! This was an experience that I won’t forget. Listening to the conversations yesterday and discussing things with them, It did let me know that even though we’ve got a lot of work to do, to make this country better, we’ve come a long way. There was once a time when that conversation wouldn’t have happened, with different races, Males and Females. We have come a long way.
It was refreshing to talk about a variety of subjects and no one got a offended. But, it did touch people, there were even tears shed. It was a moving experience and I am glad that we were able to be a part of it. I have my opinions and I have concerns. But, I know that the best candidate, will really have to be a great person. Understanding and Patient. This campaign is not going to be easy and it’s not going to be easily figured out or understood. But, I do hope and pray that the best person for the job will win!