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Paris''s Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 11/17/00 -------------------- 9/11/00 9/5/00 8/16/00 8/9/00 8/2/00 -------------------- Paris''s Introduction

November 17, 2000

Things haven't been going too well for Kay, Antonio and Adrian lately. Adrian is being bullied at school. I know these things happen and the school is doing a great job dealing with it, but it has got to be hard to deal with when you are just adjusting to life in a new country. I can only hope it has nothing to do with prejudice.

Prejudice is one thing I can not and will not tolerate. It is born of ignorance, I know that. However, I still cannot stand it! It really embarrasses me to think that people in my country would embrace prejudice! Every single person here, besides natives, has descended from an immigrant from some country or another. For fellow Canadians of mine to sit there and put someone down or make them feel bad for trying to make a better life for themselves makes me sick. It really does! We are so lucky to have had our ancestors come here so that we can have the life we have today and to harass someone for trying to give their children and grandchildren that same opportunity is just despicable. I feel like going to this child's parents and giving them a lecture on tolerance and the actual evolutionary reasons as to why people have different skin pigmentation. It probably wouldn't make a difference, but I still have to try. Even if I can enlighten one person, I will feel better.

I can say that my children will not be walking around doing things like that! They are already proud of their country and want to share it. They also understand why people are different. And, you know, they never seem to notice. :0) I'm proud of myself for that actually. I have never heard one of them make a comment about someone's skin color being different. And, that's the way it should be. You would think I lived in a perfect, little fairy tale world, wouldn't you? Well, at least in my house, prejudice is one evil that didn't get through the door!

I know this doesn't have much to do with a travel journal. Although, in a way, I guess it does. If you do plan to travel, especially to different countries, you better be ready to accept the culture you are visiting. We can learn a lot from different cultures around the world. I really don't know where some people think they have the right to say that other cultures are wrong or somehow not as deserving or whatever it is that they think. I have no idea what they think actually. I'm just glad we don't think that way. You can't call us ignorant! :0) There is a whole world full of interesting people and amazing things to see. That is why we welcome people into our home. To learn and, of course, to help. We are so lucky as North Americans. We should share it. Why limit yourself or your family because of unfounded fears that have been passed down from generation to generation due to ignorance. That is just missing out on a world of fun and of learning and of life!

Well, I think I've said my piece! Keep smiling! Keep traveling! :0)

Paris and family!