A patron came up to me last night and asked, "What's with ____?" I replied that he's harmless and could quite possibly be taking a few classes online.
Undeterred, he spoke out against another patron, also a regular, saying that he "hoped he never went off his meds." I asked if he had any altercations with these other patrons. His reply? "No." However, apparently, they look untrustworthy.
It's because of the tatoos, dark sunglasses, manner of dress and the fact that they are "regulars".
It's a small, small, small, small-minded town... It saddens and angers me. I've done it in the past myself - judged others on appearances alone, but I am trying to NOT do that anymore. This time though... it seems to be turning into a witch hunt.
Our society is slowly closing itself off from humanity. We no longer reach out and verbally communicate with those around us. There is more communication via the computer. Ironically, there are those that will trust what they read on the computer screen as true versus what they could possibly HEAR face-to-face. It doesn't help that many television shows depict the worst of humanity; pulling from the headlines only the worst scenarios. This is what we see weekly on our favorite programs - the worst. However, real life isn't like that everyday. Tattooed humans are not all dregs of society.
I like to wear black. The only reason I don't have a tattoo is because I'm a chicken (and it's expensive, okay that's two reasons). I am a Christian - a follower of Jesus, but I do not appreciate attending church. I also swear - the F-bomb and 'shit' are my favs. I listen to jazz, blues, Christian, classical, Aerosmith, Disciple, Nickelback, Duran Duran, Irish instrument, violin and many others. However, "my" patrons, don't know all of that about me. After I had gotten to know one of them - outside of the library for a few days - he said he about fell over when I turned on the radio and it was locked on a hard rock station. Then, when I replied, "Well, what the hell? I can't listen to rock music because I work at a library?" - He about died laughing because I swore! He was also stunned because I actually reached out and had a conversation with him - face-to-face. He asked me why and I told him, "Because I didn't think you would judge me." We then laughed because he DID judge me!
Our society is slowly closing itself off from humanity. We no longer reach out and verbally communicate with those around us. There is more communication via the computer. Ironically, there are those that will trust what they read on the computer screen as true versus what they could possibly HEAR face-to-face. It doesn't help that many television shows depict the worst of humanity; pulling from the headlines only the worst scenarios. This is what we see weekly on our favorite programs - the worst. However, real life isn't like that everyday. Tattooed humans are not all dregs of society.
I like to wear black. The only reason I don't have a tattoo is because I'm a chicken (and it's expensive, okay that's two reasons). I am a Christian - a follower of Jesus, but I do not appreciate attending church. I also swear - the F-bomb and 'shit' are my favs. I listen to jazz, blues, Christian, classical, Aerosmith, Disciple, Nickelback, Duran Duran, Irish instrument, violin and many others. However, "my" patrons, don't know all of that about me. After I had gotten to know one of them - outside of the library for a few days - he said he about fell over when I turned on the radio and it was locked on a hard rock station. Then, when I replied, "Well, what the hell? I can't listen to rock music because I work at a library?" - He about died laughing because I swore! He was also stunned because I actually reached out and had a conversation with him - face-to-face. He asked me why and I told him, "Because I didn't think you would judge me." We then laughed because he DID judge me!
"Never Judge a Book By It's Cover" - should also apply to humans. After all, even Ted Bundy was reportedly handsome and clean-cut.
