Saying Your Sorry Gracefully

Yesterday I posted something on Facebook without giving great thought to the very people in my life that it might effect.  Not long after it was on my site, I got some of the normal "Way to go !", "Right on!", "Hoorah!" posts that you would expect and then in the privacy of my messages came the sweetest most loving note from one of my most treasured gifts from GOD.

Without a thought in my mind I had posted this stupid picture without thinking how it would effect the people that I cherish and claim to love.  I claim to be a supporter of our military and our veteran's.  I strive to work for their benefits, adopt soldiers, work events and so and so forth, but when I posted this "immigration" picture, I never thought about them.

How would I feel if one of my soldiers was "Racially Profiled" or if his family was just because of the way they looked?  I would be outraged.  Made me look at this mess in a whole different light.

In my research I found that in 2007 a RAND report conducted by the Departed of Defense of ages 18-24 indicated that 12.6 % of Hispanic youth were going to join the military compared to 10.1 % of black and 6.6% of white respondents.

My point is when we post on facebook, what may seem cute or might seem relevant to one group can really hurt or disrespect another group without intending to.  

My adopted soldier and his family is of Hispanic origin, my little "Fister Midget" and his family is of Hispanic origin, my grandsons have friends of Hispanic origin and my "Hot Tamale" is of Hispanic origin. ( I hope that is the correct way to say this)  IT WOULD REALLY REALLY UPSET ME IF THEY WERE STOPPED JUST BECAUSE OF THEY WAY THEY LOOKED.  They were born here, raised here and have every right to be here as much as I do.

These soldiers fight for our freedoms at the cost of their lives in some cases.  I don't have the answer, but maybe, just maybe compassion should overrule bigotry.

All I can say is "I'm sorry for being stupid and please forgive me."