I see beauty when I look at you… on the outside, yes, but after reading only that many of your words, I see it in your soul too. And I see it in your eyes. For some reason, of all the posts done here by people who were victimized horribly by evil people, this one moves me at least as much as those others. Maybe it is because I can only view rape and molestation and abuse as being done by people who are sick and twisted inside, whose wiring is done wrong. This casual hatred of our fellow human beings because they are a different complexion, it is carried on by otherwise normal people. Kindly little old ladies and adorable old grandfathers. Politicians and people in positions of power. The people around us that we see every day, and think they are like us, but hidden beneath a thin layer of politeness there resides a contempt for people who are not the same as them.
We can fight the out-and-out bigots, the haters, the skinheads, the idiots who dress up in KKK robes and burn crosses. How the hell do we fight the hidden core of quiet contempt?
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To be completely honest, the beginning of this post up there is a comment I made on another blog. I just copied and pasted it here. Because the thing is… (I know how much you love my things)… I sometimes do my most brilliant writing when I get carried away with a comment on someone else’s post when I am really worked up.
The post I am referring to was posted on: http://sisterwivesspeak.com/ a blog that deals with a lot of really heavy issues such as rape and abuse and other forms of unspeakable human cruelty. The post on the Sisterwives blog was called: ‘The color of my skin.’ It was posted by a lovely young lady from Kenya, and you should read her original words.
In fact, you should just follow the Sisterwives.
Because they are sharing their souls and dragging up painful and bitter memories in order to pass on their strength and courage to other people going through similar situations. If you have ever been victimized by evil, or know anyone who has been, there is help and hope. And that is where you will find it.
Pouring My Art Out 
I have read a number of posts on that blog, but sometimes it is too much to keep hearing these things over & over. I don’t ever want to get to the point where these atrocities become less than vile!
I know what you mean
I always found this topic interesting. That core or skin of corruption in people, just below the surface… but just below our own surfaces, too. I find it amazing how little we appreciate our own self-worth or self-corruption. How we are able to judge others but not ourselves. I have prejudices, I do; but I’ll call them out in others far quicker than I will recognize them in myself. And that just sucks. And maybe that’s just human. And maybe being human is about overcoming that, and recognizing the goodness that in all of shines.
That was beautifully said… sniff…
Well said, Arturo. (hey, I like that name for you.)
Me too!
One of my best friends is married to a lovely Hispanic lady and her daughter calls me Tio Arturo.
It’s settled then. Tio Arturo it is! So excited! 🙂
Oh yeah!
The really funny part is that I am named after my dad’s brother… Uncle Art.
I am one of those sensitive people that must stay away from information such as abuse and rape, for those things I know about up close and personal. In order for me to survive, I must focus on Beauty and Love. No this does not mean I am hiding my head in the sand. Not by a long shot. This is self preservation and is the only way I know to keep on living in Peace. (((HUGS))) Amy
Peace and hugs… and strength and beauty to you too…
Bless you!!!
awww… shucks.
I will visit the site. Likely I will also follow it. It has been my experience that when we are horrifically violated by purest evil we can either become the evil or overcome it. Becoming the evil seems to be the default state, one must choose to overcome. It is my life experience and my opinion from a lifet time of observations and a study of the histories of others like me that they only way to overcome is by filling ourselves with love (agapeo style). That is where we find our most powerful life changing weapons and our source of inner peace. OK, off to read your link.
They are a wonderful group of overcomers…