I know I can't speak for everyone else, but I'm finding the Ministry's sensitivity training to be quite fun, myself. And informative! With all the tragedy that's taken place recently, it's really encouraging to see people working towards the greater common goal of kindness and understanding. And it's helping us look at things a little differently than we might have otherwise!
FOR INSTANCE, take today's lesson! My sister Carol let me read her copy of Blood Ties: My Life as a Lie a few years ago, but I'm not sure if I really appreciated the message like I did when I reread it today. It's the story of a Muggleborn student sorted into Slytherin struggling to find his identity and place in the community. Written by a Muggleborn, I think it provides quite a bit of insight into how the protagonist felt and why he felt it, the alienation and uncertainty that shaped who he was as he grew up. That's how I saw it from my perspective, anyway!
It makes you think about the challenge that Muggleborns face right from the get-go; walking into an unknown, potentially hostile (maybe not overtly, but it still matters!) situation and the cues they're given from those first meetings. If everyone put just a little more effort into empathizing with the other, wouldn't that foster a more trusting environment on everyone's part? Prevent some from treating others in an unfair manner and, therefore, prevent the resentment that might stem from being treated unfairly? In a broader sense, it speaks to the issue of feeling ostracized and I think that's something we can all understand, yeah? Haven't most of us felt judged for something beyond our control, at least in some, small way? I think if we applied that understanding to others, it might help us see each other as people, more than the labels that are given to us. And really, is the damage that's done by approaching a person, or situation, with prejudice when they, as individuals, haven't done anything to prove that they've earned that bias worth it just to think of yourself as better? I really don't think it is.
That's my take away from the story, anyway. I thought it was a brilliant read! I'd like to think that I've lived by that message, but it certainly wouldn't hurt if I tried a little harder to keep all of that in mind. I'm really looking forward to next week!
Have a safe night, everyone!
