The Green Shirt
Common Ground is Our Only Hope49 total reviews
Comment from Sarah Tummey
That's such a lovely story about the green shirt. I'm blind, so having never seen the colour of people's skin, it never made a difference to me. For a few years, I was at a school for the blind with children of lots of nationalities. There were people there who were racist, but I've never understood treating people differently on the basis of how they look.
If you keep telling that green-shirt story, I expect your grandchildren will remember and repeat it themselves when they're older. My nan was a great storyteller and I miss that.
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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That's such a lovely story about the green shirt. I'm blind, so having never seen the colour of people's skin, it never made a difference to me. For a few years, I was at a school for the blind with children of lots of nationalities. There were people there who were racist, but I've never understood treating people differently on the basis of how they look.
If you keep telling that green-shirt story, I expect your grandchildren will remember and repeat it themselves when they're older. My nan was a great storyteller and I miss that.
Comment Written 22-May-2022
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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Thanks so much for your review... I appreciate your time and your words.
Comment from lyenochka
Wonderful story of hope! Thank you for sharing how George noticed only the "green shirt!" (Your title intrigued me.) I wholeheartedly agree - that there is only one human race and we are all made in God's image. But humans find ways to divide by class, race, and other categories. May our grandchildren work to make a better world.
Best wishes in the contest!
One grammar comment:
Who's ball is it?" (Whose)
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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Wonderful story of hope! Thank you for sharing how George noticed only the "green shirt!" (Your title intrigued me.) I wholeheartedly agree - that there is only one human race and we are all made in God's image. But humans find ways to divide by class, race, and other categories. May our grandchildren work to make a better world.
Best wishes in the contest!
One grammar comment:
Who's ball is it?" (Whose)
Comment Written 22-May-2022
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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OF COURSE - I will make that change immediately. thanks for pointing it out.
Comment from karenina
I love this. As a proud grandmom of three mixed-race grandchildren, I can tell you we are a long way from those that will view their differences by the color of their shirts. I've been turned away from their school when I've gone to pick them up because as a Caucasian I "obviously" was not their grandmom. Still, I have hope. They have hope! They see the love between their mom and dad (one Caucasian and one African American) and they KNOW this is how the world should be!
I'm proud to say while their life experiences could have made them bitter--it has not. It has made them more sensitive to the differences
others use to divide us into subsets of humanity ~ they are extremely welcoming and kind to all cultures and religions ~ sexual orientations or other "diversity" some would have us see as a weakness!
It takes many fine-hued petals to make a beautiful garden! One day we'll figure that out!
Thanks for this inspiring writing!
Karenina
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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I love this. As a proud grandmom of three mixed-race grandchildren, I can tell you we are a long way from those that will view their differences by the color of their shirts. I've been turned away from their school when I've gone to pick them up because as a Caucasian I "obviously" was not their grandmom. Still, I have hope. They have hope! They see the love between their mom and dad (one Caucasian and one African American) and they KNOW this is how the world should be!
I'm proud to say while their life experiences could have made them bitter--it has not. It has made them more sensitive to the differences
others use to divide us into subsets of humanity ~ they are extremely welcoming and kind to all cultures and religions ~ sexual orientations or other "diversity" some would have us see as a weakness!
It takes many fine-hued petals to make a beautiful garden! One day we'll figure that out!
Thanks for this inspiring writing!
Karenina
Comment Written 22-May-2022
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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i am so pleased the post hit a place of honesty in your reading. I admire the courage and the beauty of blended families and do my best in everyday dealings with people to provide a non-bias, non-racial approach to life. I do my best to provide a proper role model for my children, my grandchildren and anyone else that may notice.
I'm not bragging about that -- it is not a 'chore' I do. It is living life with a sense of equality and fairness for all of my fellow humans. It's just natural.
thank you for reading and commenting. I cannot truly understand the challenges of a blended family, but I can and do admire the courage and love required to make it a success.
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Know what? We don't see it as a challenge, but as a series of "teachable moments." I pride myself in truly conveying to my children at a young age that we are all different and all the same ~ and so it came as no surprise when my son fell in love with a beautiful black woman who is like a daughter to me. I think we are the change we are hoping for! (smile)
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You and your family are blessed -- and the world is blessed because of people like you and yours!
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Thanks... We do our best to every day do a wee bit better...
Comment from GARY MACLEAN
What a revelation. That is the epitome of innocence. Fortunately, no one has gotten inside that child's mind with tales and fables of Critical Race Theory or anything. He simply looks at a kid as a kid. He sounds like a wonderful grandchild. If only all of us adults could foster a similar attitude.
Nicely said.
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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What a revelation. That is the epitome of innocence. Fortunately, no one has gotten inside that child's mind with tales and fables of Critical Race Theory or anything. He simply looks at a kid as a kid. He sounds like a wonderful grandchild. If only all of us adults could foster a similar attitude.
Nicely said.
Comment Written 22-May-2022
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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Thanks so much for your wonderful review. George and his sister have both grown up to be 'color-blind' and wonderful individuals.
Comment from Terry Broxson
An exceptional story for this contest, good luck. It does seem to me seeking common ground is not only wise but practical. Even though it is not easily accomplished. Finding color blind common ground...priceless! Excellent work. Terry
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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An exceptional story for this contest, good luck. It does seem to me seeking common ground is not only wise but practical. Even though it is not easily accomplished. Finding color blind common ground...priceless! Excellent work. Terry
Comment Written 22-May-2022
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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I appreciate your support and am so very pleased you 'get me' when I write. Thanks for those beautiful shiny stars. Nice to begin a day with a smile.
Comment from Jay Squires
You struck a strong, deep, and resonating chord with this piece. I can understand why you've used it to illustrate to hundreds of people how we are all brothers and sisters of a common father. Bless you, and best of luck with the contest.
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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You struck a strong, deep, and resonating chord with this piece. I can understand why you've used it to illustrate to hundreds of people how we are all brothers and sisters of a common father. Bless you, and best of luck with the contest.
Comment Written 22-May-2022
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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This contest will require a ton of luck. I've read the other entries and the competition is more than tough. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Comment from juliaSjames
I love this simple yet powerful story that shows us what the world could be like. I think this is a fine entry in the contest.
Good luck
Stay safe and blessed
Julia
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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I love this simple yet powerful story that shows us what the world could be like. I think this is a fine entry in the contest.
Good luck
Stay safe and blessed
Julia
Comment Written 22-May-2022
reply by the author on 22-May-2022
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6 stars! Wow. I am humbled and very grateful. Thanks so much for reading and 'getting' what I am trying to say.
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
This is an excellent commentary about how your young grandson sees the world. I hope he will continue to be so different from the adult's of today as he grows up, and that he will become a world leader.
reply by the author on 21-May-2022
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This is an excellent commentary about how your young grandson sees the world. I hope he will continue to be so different from the adult's of today as he grows up, and that he will become a world leader.
Comment Written 21-May-2022
reply by the author on 21-May-2022
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Thank you for your words and your time.
Comment from Dawn Munro
What a touching and very beautiful story -- this inspires a desire for more from your pen --"...the realization that there is only one race, the human race, and it comes in many colors, with many religions, many customs and all with the same needs for love, forgiveness, compassion and honesty."
(I think I feel yet another poem coming on... (lol)
reply by the author on 21-May-2022
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What a touching and very beautiful story -- this inspires a desire for more from your pen --"...the realization that there is only one race, the human race, and it comes in many colors, with many religions, many customs and all with the same needs for love, forgiveness, compassion and honesty."
(I think I feel yet another poem coming on... (lol)
Comment Written 21-May-2022
reply by the author on 21-May-2022
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Thank you so much for the wonderful 6 stars! I am encouraged, grateful and humbled by them.
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You are very welcome.
Comment from joann r romei
This was really special, i enjoyed the way the children saw themselves as equals because they indeed are! This world is full of terrible people, I wish things would change for the better.
reply by the author on 21-May-2022
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This was really special, i enjoyed the way the children saw themselves as equals because they indeed are! This world is full of terrible people, I wish things would change for the better.
Comment Written 21-May-2022
reply by the author on 21-May-2022
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Thank you so much for your time and your encouragement.