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A Simple Question for the Racist, Sexist, Prejudiced, Or Unkind
Can you explain it to me?
I got the job of driving a group of old men to a sporting event.
Jimmy (82) sat in the front. Ron and Geoff were belted in the back seat. We discussed the weather, the news, and sport. And for the first 25 minutes, I got a rundown of their various ailments.
Geoff reminded us of the last time we attended the event when there were five in the car — Stefan was no longer with us. We went quiet. A moment, lost in our thoughts.
Jimmy broke the silence.
“Of course, the Muslims will soon take over the country.”
All heads turned to Jimmy. Jaws dropped.
The car veered halfway over the centre line of the road before I corrected it. He’d been thinking it, and for no apparent reason, blurted it out. Why?
Aghast and confused, I asked-
“Where did that come from, Jimmy?”
“Well, that’s what is happening.”
I don’t think Jimmy is a bad man. I don’t think he thinks of himself as prejudiced or racist. Newspapers, news, and controversial politicians keep Jimmy unwittingly misinformed.
