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Tolerance
| Open Poetry #10 |
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Tolerance |
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Ethan Halo Senior Member
since 2000-04-28
Posts 793on the roof again 
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*recently i went on a retreat with my high school, called Anytown. i was a counselor. it was all about bigotry, racism, and intolerance. it brought out a lot of people's deepest fears and there were a lot of tears. and now that we're back at school, we spread the "tolerance" message around, and kinda hope it catches. i wrote this about it, so i'm going to bring the vibe to here as well. enjoy* *tolerance knows no sleep* The Anytown camp nestled up in the trees, speakin' out 'gainst racism and bigotry. You can be prejudiced just 'cause you're priveliged. Your economics can hate you 'cause you're somebody's kid. It's not always about your skin's palor, but how many opprotunities are at your door. Some folks don't care if you're white or black; they just judge you on the size of your stack. Of cash, that is. and y'know how bad that is. And then some prejudice ain't about race at all, but whether you got a pair of breasts or balls. And while not everybody loves to hate, everyone stereotypes and discriminates. We all prejudge; that's the case today. The most popular kind just happens to be by race. I think this an inhuman disgrace. To degrade a man's face 'cause of its color array? We need a little more tolerance in this great big world. It shouldn't matter whether you're a boy or girl. Nor religion a factor; be you an atheist, a christian, a hindu, a muslim, or a witch. White, Black, Yellow, Red or Brown. It shouldn't really matter when you get right down to the bottom of things. and you know what i think? We should learn a person thru personality. Make opinions after and not before. Forget the surface and see their core. Height, weight, culture, gender or skin; You could drive a Pinto or drive a Benz. Your name might be Leroy, or it might be Jim. But you won't be less of a person, or less of my friend. And if they ask from where your love and tolerance come, Say the spirit of Anytown is where it's from. And things like prejudice and bigotry must stand aside; tolerance knows no sleep! [This message has been edited by Ethan_Halo (edited 10-01-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Ethan Halo - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Ethan Halo Senior Member
since 2000-04-28
Posts 793on the roof again |
*y'know, i just thought of this everyone, but there is another place that brings out the love. just take a look around the Forum, and the next time you read a poem, you're meeting a soul before you really get to know 'em. so thanks Ron, for makin this place where we strip away the face and all the things for a prejudgment base. here, you gotta meet the heart first thru their rhyming words and soulful bursts. Thanks Ron!*< !signature--> Everyone's got their demons. We all got somethin' to atone for. [This message has been edited by Ethan_Halo (edited 10-01-2000).] |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
We need a little more tolerance in this great big world. It shouldn't matter whether you're a boy or girl. Nor religion a factor; be you an atheist, a christian, a hindu, a muslim, or a witch. White, Black, Yellow, Red or Brown. It shouldn't really matter when you get right down to the bottom of things. and you know what i think? We should learn a person thru personality. Make opinions after and not before. Forget the surface and see their core. Height, weight, culture, gender or skin; You could drive a Pinto or drive a Benz. Your name might be Leroy, or it might be Jim. But you won't be less of a person, or less of my friend. This is one terrific piece and I have read it three times now not knowing how to reply and let you know how much depth I see in it and then came your follow up message and I was really impressed....so please just know that I truely love this piece penned by you and This one is a keeper for me. Listen, do you hear that? That is my printer clicking away so I may frame this one and hang it on my wall. I will read this every morning and that is no lie. Come and see for yourself. You sir have penned a beauty beyond my words so I thank you for that. |
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Kethry Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-29
Posts 9082Victoria Australia |
Ethan, this is an incredibly deep piece with such a simple message. How did you do that?... Easily I think. Thanks for posting it. Be well Kethry "It is the image in the mind that links us to lost treasures; but it is the loss that shapes the image, gathers the flowers weaves the garland."- |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Amen ! - Ethan - Amen ! Wonderfully said and done. I like the way you dug into it and smacked it right on the head ! Thank you for this beautiful reminder that we are shallow when we wade in prejudicial waters ! ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
And then some prejudice ain't about race at all, but whether you got a pair of breasts or balls. And while not everybody loves to hate, everyone stereotypes and discriminates. We all prejudge; that's the case today. The most popular kind just happens to be by race. I think this an inhuman disgrace. To degrade a man's face 'cause of its color array? We need a little more tolerance in this great big world. It shouldn't matter whether you're a boy or girl. Nor religion a factor; be you an atheist, a christian, a hindu, a muslim, or a witch. White, Black, Yellow, Red or Brown. It shouldn't really matter when you get right down to the bottom of things. and you know what i think? We should learn a person thru personality. Make opinions after and not before. Forget the surface and see their core. =================== E, baby you rock ... YOU ROCK... and every time i think ya cant get any cooler or any wiser beyond your years... you write another piece of my heart... I have a magnet on my monitor ... "Equality in Society equals Humanity" (will us humans ever learn to do the new math). I pray so everyday ... thank you for this ... and for being you and keep up the work of spreading the message ... Change lies in the hands and hearts of our youth ... you have the energy of the innocent with-in you ... wanna share something with you... posted here a long time ago ... feel free to share it at your camp next time love ya gator-guy jm ~Brown and Agile Child~ Brown and agile child, I watch you as you sleep ... and think about the loves you'll have, and the secrets that you'll keep. Brown and agile child, for you I wish, a place to grow ... where ones color doesn't matter, and acceptance of each other-is all we know. Brown and agile child, with the innocence of youth, I lie and wonder of days ahead ... and pray for the patience- to teach you of the truth Brown and agile child, just a baby now-completely without care, I wish for you-in years to come ... a world that will be more fair. Janet Marie-Aug.1980 There are places inside our souls - that have never been touched. There are places inside our hearts - that need to be loved this much. ~jm~ |
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Ethan Halo Senior Member
since 2000-04-28
Posts 793on the roof again |
boy-o-boy! there are people in here tonight! i didn't think there'd be a reply 'til morning, but i go and shower and wowser! thank you all so much. you are very kind to have read it, and to shower me (so to speak  ) with these uplifting words. glad y'all enjoyed.Mark: sir, i am honored to have this on your refrigerator! i am very glad you liked it. (there's an follow-up to a post of yours on Balladeer's poem) Kethry: you are so generous with your compliments. thanks for readin and enjoyin. Marge: thanks very much. you know i didn't even know all the "depths" of prejudice til i went on that retreat. i'm glad to spread this message! JM: ahh, the ever-present, effervescent poet of Passions. you're such a generous fan and friend. if i am wise beyond my years, as you say, i am glad my face doesn't show it. i still get the kids menu at some places, and most people think i'm a freshman... thanks for bribing the warden to let you come in and reply! Everyone's got their demons. We all got somethin' to atone for. |
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Ethan Halo Senior Member
since 2000-04-28
Posts 793on the roof again |
*bump* to the top |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Ethan- WOW!!! You've spoken a mouthful here. This is an incredible poem with so much depth and meaning. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. -vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, you have not truely met the poet." -vlraynes |
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Tears_of_Grace Member
since 2000-07-05
Posts 50 |
There is a ton of wisdom in this, now if we would ALL listen, what we pass on to our children could make or break the next generation. Most people don't see past the nose on their face, glad to see that you see a whole lot further than that Ethan. This was awesome, You've got a great sense of values in that heart of yours. |
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juliet_2u Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125North Carolina |
Wow Ethan you really went for it and man did you succeed. This is great! Juls |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
Ethan...WOW...you know I dont think of myself as predjudiced...I dont judge by race religon or gender...people are people til they show the colour of their hearts...thats the only colour I ever look for...its the only colour that matters...the colour of true...true friendship..true love...true feelings...this is a wonderful write and truer words were never spoken... |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
WOHOO!! BRAVO!! This is fantastic!! I've written a few poems on this subject, but never put it quite as wonderful as this! You bring home many good points, and your spreading a great message! I applaud you!!! <*\\\>< I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Ethan--What a great poem this is!!! |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Oh ethan, must needs hug ya for this one...what a beautiful spirit you have, m'friend...a lovely display of love. |
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rosepetals25
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076PA |
Ethan, I really have to get a printer! lol. I love this and I couldn't agree more. What a positive and up lifting message. BRAVO! ~~Tara aka rp25 :o) |
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Wilfred Yeats Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704Wilmington, Delaware |
great job - you called it exactly right! |
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