Are You "Open-Minded" Or Not?

ClassicRockr said:
Well, here we go......in a way:

While wife and I aren't racist, but we are making plans on moving to an area that many in the U.S. would consider racist. Why? The demographics of the small city is 97% White and less that 1% Black. Where we currently live, Blacks make up almost 40% of population and there are some extremely nice Blacks where we live and in the area. We watch movies with extremely talented blacks in them, like Hidden Figures, Jumping The Broom, The Shack. We think Octavia Spencer is an excellent actress as well as Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. We are both big-time Motown fans and have the greatest hits of Earth, Wind and Fire and Kook and the Gang. We have met Rodeo World Champions, like Fred Whitfield and Charlie Sampson, who were excellent black rodeo cowboys.

Thing is, we don't like living in an area, like we now, that is really diverse. Some "diversity" to us is fine, but it's very high here.

As far as the GLBT community goes, we definitely don't support them. Part of that is due to our Christian beliefs.
Back in the mid 90's, I worked for a Lesbian couple at their Equestrian Center. Both ladies were very nice, but after a few weeks, I ended up quitting.
Our Great Niece has stated to her mother that she is Bi-Sexual and does live with her girlfriend. She's in the Army and her girlfriend is a Nurse. The entire time we've known this Great Niece, she always shown "Straightness". Heck, she was even in our wedding. Due to her sexual beliefs, we no longer correspond with her on Facebook. She posted a picture once on Facebook of her and her girlfriend kissing at a wedding both attended. That was enough........no more of anything with her. Our choice.

I don't consider us "bigots" at all for how we feel about the GLBT community. People absolutely don't have to agree with their lifestyle........no matter what anyone thinks.

Ok, THERE, I got a couple of "not open-minded" things out. Please don't crush us for our beliefs. If we don't want to believe in certain things, we absolutely don't have to.
Click to expand...

A thought came to mind:
One topic you've occasionally mentioned that you're not 'open-minded' about, dislike and disapprove of, is tattoos. I also recall you mentioning positive viewpoints about police- respect police, cooperate with police, etc. So put yourself in this situation: what if you were in a situation where you needed immediate assistance, such as a life-threatening danger, and felt the need to call 911- and the officer who responded to your call for help had some tattoos. Would you consider that person 'worthy' of saving your life, but not ​'worthy' of associating with?
 
Robusta said:
Nothing happened to freedom of speech. You can make as big an ass of yourself as you want, and no Government entity can interfere.
However there is nothing that says I can't you my freedom of speech to cancel yours.

Why do people do not understand that the 1rst amendment, (and all of them for that matter) pertain only to prevent the government from doing harm.
Click to expand...

I don't agree. The First Amendment has exceptions. You can't engage in child pornography. It's not protected under the First Amendment. So that's not to protect the government.

There are other exceptions to the First Amendment where speech is not protected.
 
helenbacque said:

  • My dictionary defines open minded as "willing to consider new ideas, unprejudiced, nonjudgmental, nondiscriminatory." I am those things but I don't tolerate criminals or those who abuse others.

Click to expand...

Quite an interesting thread. I consider myself open-minded and tend to identify with Helen's statement. I often reevaluate my position on issues based on new experiences and information.

Most of this group (myself included) grew up in environments that were effectively (and often legally) racially segregated, homophobic to the extreme, judgmental of other religions, and highly intolerant of tattoos (other than Navy lifers) and piercings. Why? Because our culture said these things were bad, problematic or wrong, that's why.

My current suburban neighborhood, which was probably 99.9% white when it was built in the mid-50s, has evolved into a far more diverse (and interesting!) area than anyplace I lived while growing up.

I know a number of gay people and celebrate with them their ability to openly love other consenting adults. If you haven't ever been blessed with the opportunity to go to a gay wedding, I am here to tell you that love is love and commitment is commitment, regardless of the genders of those expressing it.

Tattoos & piercings? When I see someone heavily tatted and pierced my internal question is whether they will live to regret those youthful decisions. They may not because their generation views skin art differently. If they do, laser removal is improving. I no longer judge them on this. Open mind = changing my perceptions.

Does anyone else remember how harshly Baby Boomers were judged? Older generations were clutching their pearls because young people opposed Vietnam and embraced the concept of peace and love, our guys were sporting long hair and mustaches, we unashamedly indulged in premarital sex (gasp), interracial socializing and dating were becoming more common, our clothing was unconventional, rock and roll was devil's music and we played it too damn loudly anyway.

Bob Dylan had it right in 1964 - The Times They Are A-Changin'. He just forgot to mention that they will continue to change. We can either embrace the changes or stubbornly resist them, but they're a-coming no matter what.
A few lines from that seminal work.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'

 
Robusta said:
Nothing happened to freedom of speech. You can make as big an ass of yourself as you want, and no Government entity can interfere.
However there is nothing that says I can't you my freedom of speech to cancel yours.

Why do people do not understand that the 1rst amendment, (and all of them for that matter) pertain only to prevent the government from doing harm.
Click to expand...
Amen on that!
 
I am open minded on most things but one thing I can not tolerate is folks who wear their baseball caps in a restaurant. That is a sure sign of being raised in a barn.

Gay? Tats? Liberal? Conservative? NASCAR fan? Aspiring Rap star? Etc??? Sure, just take off the baseball cap when you come in doors, unless you are coming into the barn.

(PS - my Significant Other is totally on board with this.)
 
StarSong said:
Quite an interesting thread. I consider myself open-minded and tend to identify with Helen's statement. I often reevaluate my position on issues based on new experiences and information.

Most of this group (myself included) grew up in environments that were effectively (and often legally) racially segregated, homophobic to the extreme, judgmental of other religions, and highly intolerant of tattoos (other than Navy lifers) and piercings. Why? Because our culture said these things were bad, problematic or wrong, that's why.

My current suburban neighborhood, which was probably 99.9% white when it was built in the mid-50s, has evolved into a far more diverse (and interesting!) area than anyplace I lived while growing up.

I know a number of gay people and celebrate with them their ability to openly love other consenting adults. If you haven't ever been blessed with the opportunity to go to a gay wedding, I am here to tell you that love is love and commitment is commitment, regardless of the genders of those expressing it.

Tattoos & piercings? When I see someone heavily tatted and pierced my internal question is whether they will live to regret those youthful decisions. They may not because their generation views skin art differently. If they do, laser removal is improving. I no longer judge them on this. Open mind = changing my perceptions.

Does anyone else remember how harshly Baby Boomers were judged? Older generations were clutching their pearls because young people opposed Vietnam and embraced the concept of peace and love, our guys were sporting long hair and mustaches, we unashamedly indulged in premarital sex (gasp), interracial socializing and dating were becoming more common, our clothing was unconventional, rock and roll was devil's music and we played it too damn loudly anyway.

Bob Dylan had it right in 1964 - The Times They Are A-Changin'. He just forgot to mention that they will continue to change. We can either embrace the changes or stubbornly resist them, but they're a-coming no matter what.
A few lines from that seminal work.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'

Click to expand...

a lot of truth in your post StarSong.
 
Hoot N Annie said:
I am open minded on most things but one thing I can not tolerate is folks who wear their baseball caps in a restaurant. That is a sure sign of being raised in a barn.

Gay? Tats? Liberal? Conservative? NASCAR fan? Aspiring Rap star? Etc??? Sure, just take off the baseball cap when you come in doors, unless you are coming into the barn.

(PS - my Significant Other is totally on board with this.)
Click to expand...

Why? If the restaurant has a dress code?
 
Hoot N Annie said:
I am open minded on most things but one thing I can not tolerate is folks who wear their baseball caps in a restaurant. That is a sure sign of being raised in a barn.

Gay? Tats? Liberal? Conservative? NASCAR fan? Aspiring Rap star? Etc??? Sure, just take off the baseball cap when you come in doors, unless you are coming into the barn.

(PS - my Significant Other is totally on board with this.)
Click to expand...

I usually assume that the guy is bald and a little insecure about his looks.
 
I don't like to just sway in the breeze but I do like to listen and research different opinions and form my own beliefs. And my beliefs change. I was very liberal but as I've aged I've become more conservative.
I am more open minded when it comes to young people. I would hate for someone to judge me on what I did 40 years ago.
I think we should all be open-minded but once you've formed a strong belief you should stand behind it.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top