Ally

Only one more Xmas present to go! I can’t believe I’m almost there, brilliant! This weekend the plan is for Sunday to get the tree up and wrap the presents I have.  I’ve written all my cards and I’m going to post them next week. And one night me and Carl are going to have to go food shopping to get some nice xmas bits, although were not having people round really we want some nice crisps, chocolates, nuts and drinks for when people come (water or tea isn’t really that great a choice for festive visitors) and I think we’ll also pick up some booze for the NYE party at his mums.

Our plans have changed on Boxing Day for the first time in 7 years, we aren’t going to his friends for a party as usual, were actually going round to his brothers and sister-in-law’s to see the kids and play games with them.  I’m really looking forward to this, as we’ve got them all lovely presents and I’d like to see them open them!

Works been busy this week, I spent Monday and Tuesday at Hucknall on a diversity-training course.  I was a bit apprehensive at first but I actually really enjoyed it, and it really gave me lots to think about.  Even though I don’t discriminate against anybody and I’m definitely not racist can I still have a clear conscience?  I don’t know…. I know people that have made racist comments and have I let them pass before – yes.  I definitely wont be doing so in the future, regardless of whether I want to avoid confrontation or not.  I think that’s part of the problem, its not that there are loads of racist people its that they are allowed to get away with it by their friends, family and co-workers.  Being racist this day and age is unacceptable.  I know my Grandparents have a different view on life, and you cannot change how they were brought up, but what you can change is how we bring our children up, and the rights and wrongs we teach them.  I’ve really got a bee in my bonnet about this, and its not just racial awareness that needs to be publicised. 

Did you know that more than 10million people in the UK are registered disabled (never mind the ones who are two afraid/embarrassed to register)? And would you be surprised to learn that only 9% of those people were BORN with their disability?  More than 90% of them acquired their disability later on in life – shocking hey?  Which means that it’s certainly a possibility for YOU to become one of those people.  God forbid it happens of course, but if it did how would you want to be treated?  And do you treat people with disabilities that way??

The racial awareness thing has really got to me though, I cannot believe how some people are treated, spoken to or even about.  Even if you’re not being racist to someone’s face, is that OK?  Of course not.  Perhaps people don’t think that the comments they make them a racist but it does, whether said in jest or due to peer pressure, making racist comments is just that – RACIST.  Do you really want to be tarred with that brush?  Are you really that narrow minded that the only way to describe someone is by using a word that’s offensive to the colour of someone’s skin, or the faith by with they live by?

Something to think about… Rant over.