THESE TELLING TIMES
I get a bit tired of being today when I am told I am a member of a minority.
O course I am, We all are, in some facet of our active life. Those do-gooder people who like to harp on the subject seem to think I will be a better citizen if I can think of myself as being one who must do without, the very poor, the underprivleged, the have-nots - which is their sole way of defining a “minority” in modern society.
They speak often of “walking in the other fellers shoes “for a time and, believe me, the leather is wearing mighty thin on that mode of movement.
No too many years ago was told I was among the few people in the nation who did not have a personal computer. When I advanced to that equipment stage, I found I was among the few people who did have such a computer as I was fortunate enough to acquire.
I have gone though this social environment thing from the days of 78's, 33-l/3, ED's,, LP,'s. thru 8-Track, mono, stereo, wire reorders, tape recorders in a dozen forms, and now I find myself among the minority of people who do not possess a DVD player or a complete home theater setup. New and puzzling acronyms pop up almost daily for equipment which does wonderful things -called whatever the alphabet can handle.
Each new wave of such letters puts me in a new minority group.
Religious differences are a main focus with some They often, however, seem to find it unpleasant to comment on this type of minorty, possibly because of our unpleasant historical background in an international sense in dealing with so many manifestations. I am seldom reminded that, as a professing Christian, I am automatically, in a minority group.
Far too many political figures of our time seem to see the government is blend people such as themselves banded together to satisfy the wants and desires the downtrodden minorities. Government becomes a mechanism for handing out packaged happiness, medical care, and other illusive forms of of pre-packaged happiness, free medical care, and financial security.
TV ,pocks at me as being minoroty,too. I am to eat, drink and wear what I am told is “in”. I am told what others think and to be grateful for such guidance
I have been a minority person a good many years. I used to get mail with/ amazing regularity from Ed McMahon. Publisher's Clearing House set up an endless series of dates on which they never knocked at my door. Many people did not realize that “Reader's Digest “ was magazine as well as a sweepstakes heaven and a source of short-cut books for quick reading.
I tend to think of as being “average” But, that, too, has become a minority. Maybe you have noticed that, where as, years ago, one could attend Medical School and graduate as a “General Practitioner” - a general all-ailments medic. No more. GP is now alphabetically included in the list of “Specialist” training programs.
You and I are minorities in so many portions of our lives. There's no need to deny it. Think back a bit and you will see how many of the truly great leaders and re-makers of Mankind have come from what you might call “minority” elements. And, in many such cases they never knew they were so classified.
.A.L.M. September 22, 2003 [c620wds]
