My little bubble popped a bit this weekend. I like to think that people are inherently good and don't hate others for no particular reason at all. I am aware of the naivety of this line of thinking, but this is how I am. Every once in a while this little ideal is deflated a bit more, and I have to rethink my views on people and how it affects me. This time was no different, but it also made me aware that this is something that I also need to apply to my business. People are people and have all sorts of different views on things... hate and ignorance are part of the entire package.
This past weekend was our wedding anniversary. Hubs and I actually went out on a date and everything. It was wonderful. We spent the day cleaning out our chicken coop in wedded bliss (not... it was gross and hot), and then headed out to dinner after dropping the kiddies off with Grandma and Grandpa. On the way home, we decided to stop and play a few games of pool. This translated into Hubs kicking my butt, while I fumbled with lining up the stick just to get one flippin' shot in. I did make one shot. ONE. I have no mad skills in pool playing. It was nice though just to relax and be goofy and have fun.
As we were leaving, a man that Hubs has played pool with before stopped over and said hello... and then started (slowly but surely) to go into his views of why things are the way they are. Racism and ignorance were all I heard. My jaw dropped. I don't drink, so I knew I was hearing him right... and I was floored. I also grabbed the keys from Hubs and said, "We should go. I don't want to listen to this." Then I left Hubs to scramble after me (I probably could have done that part better).
My lesson learned here was I do not have to sit through this sort of thing and be uncomfortable. It's okay. I will sit through a conversation NOT filled with hatred, where different views are being shared. That sort of thing is interesting. This was just offensive.
The business lesson here is the same. My company is a reflection of myself. I do not need (or want) the business of those with that sort of hatred in their hearts. I don't want their products, their money, their input, or anything else that people with hurtful prejudices bring to the table. I'm okay with that.
But Jess.... business is business and personal feeling are not. I disagree. This is my business. My life (eventually). My name. I run it truthfully, and with the best ability that I can. The idea that I would agreeably support (real prejudice) haters, contradicts all the hard work that I have put into this, and isn't something I want to be behind in any way. I will not willingly enable hate in any avenue of my life.
On a side note, I've had a running loop of The Beatle's "Revolution" running in a continuous loop since Saturday night. It makes me want to go out and change the world.
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| Owl monsters don't like it either... |
As we were leaving, a man that Hubs has played pool with before stopped over and said hello... and then started (slowly but surely) to go into his views of why things are the way they are. Racism and ignorance were all I heard. My jaw dropped. I don't drink, so I knew I was hearing him right... and I was floored. I also grabbed the keys from Hubs and said, "We should go. I don't want to listen to this." Then I left Hubs to scramble after me (I probably could have done that part better).
My lesson learned here was I do not have to sit through this sort of thing and be uncomfortable. It's okay. I will sit through a conversation NOT filled with hatred, where different views are being shared. That sort of thing is interesting. This was just offensive.
The business lesson here is the same. My company is a reflection of myself. I do not need (or want) the business of those with that sort of hatred in their hearts. I don't want their products, their money, their input, or anything else that people with hurtful prejudices bring to the table. I'm okay with that.
But Jess.... business is business and personal feeling are not. I disagree. This is my business. My life (eventually). My name. I run it truthfully, and with the best ability that I can. The idea that I would agreeably support (real prejudice) haters, contradicts all the hard work that I have put into this, and isn't something I want to be behind in any way. I will not willingly enable hate in any avenue of my life.
On a side note, I've had a running loop of The Beatle's "Revolution" running in a continuous loop since Saturday night. It makes me want to go out and change the world.
wonderful post and so timely, too. I love Revolution, so maybe I will put it on and get motivated!!
ReplyDeleteHugs! I have to bite my tongue a lot. My aunt told me today that if I feel the need to roll my eyes then close them. We can't help when we feel passionately about...anything and we are the face of our business but it's hard when others talk negatively against our beliefs.
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