“Are the children being taught Canadian curriculum or Ukrainian?”
Did I detect a tone of disapproval? I was speaking at a Women’s Institute regarding the Ukrainian School we have set up in town. I explained that the children all attend Canadian school during the week, and this is an extra-curricular program which occurs on Sunday afternoons and helps them stay connected to their heritage.
Is this what prejudice looks like? I wondered.
“Are they the ones who wear the long garbs and head scarves?” The same woman. “I saw them in town recently.”
“No. They look like you and I,” another woman answered before I could say anything.
Is it a desire to really understand other, or a need to push other aside as irrelevant or unacceptable? Am I just feeling testy because of all the negativity in the news?
The comments stunned me and as we drove away after the session ended, I expressed to Ric that I felt as if I hadn’t responded appropriately.
Was there anything I could have said that would change that woman’s mind?
One Woman's Quest II 
Sadly , i think, so many times in our present time, the ignorance is deliberate, a lot of people who say they are ”just asking questions” have already made up their minds and do NOT really want to know more (knowing more would spoil their world view)
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Good point. Thanks
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I don’t know the appropriate response, and most likely would have walked away. Unfortunately, many don’t think before they speak.
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True, Eugi.
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It’s hard to know what to say. Maybe “Why do you ask?” to the first question, but to the second–I’m not sure you could say anything that would modify the hostile undertone. (K)
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I think you are right. Sadly
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When people say thoughtless things, it might just be ignorance rather than arrogance.
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I am certain that ignorance played a big part of her response.
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Yes, most likely. Some people don’t know how to voice their concerns.
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I don’t know how many times I’ve walked away from similar conversations feeling exactly as you do. Sometimes we are so surprised by what it said or implied that we haven’t always the time to process and respond in the manner that we wish we had.
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Exactly. It really took me aback.
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Without knowing whether the woman’s comments came from curiosity or prejudice, it’s hard to know what the appropriate response would be.
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That’s true, although there was a tone of disapproval.
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