Zone1 Two conversations with complete strangers this week restores my faith in Americans.

[MarathonMike]

It isn't often I have chance encounters with Black people here in Southern Arizona. As a "group" they make up less than 5 percent of the population here. But last week at an Open Mic there was a new guitarist playing, a tall Black man probably early 60s. He was an excellent guitarist but said he wasn't comfortable singing. So he played two instrumentals but did sing two songs and he had a very nice voice. At the end of the show I went over to him and complimented him on his set. He liked what I did as well so we had a nice convo for a few minutes about vocals, musical styles and Michigan sports since he was wearing a Michigan jacket. A super nice guy.

Then yesterday I was at the meat counter getting salmon and another Black fellow was ordering two big salmon fillets. I said something like "must be quite a party". He looked at me and said "Oh yes I've got ten people coming over and they like to eat!" I asked if he was going to smoke or grill and he said he just made a smoker and was eager to try it out. He then just started chatting away about being a caterer but really enjoys entertaining. We shared our favorite salmon recipes (there was no one behind us) and the butcher even chimed in with one of his own.

I guess what I'm saying is I think Americans are still Americans and the divide that exists is politically driven but not inherent in most people. Had either convo turned to politics, then sure it may not have stayed friendly but that is because the current state of politics is poisonous to real discussion and friendly encounters. But I think most Americans are still Americans and not what is presented to us daily by our various forms of Media. As always jmo.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

It isn't often I have chance encounters with Black people here in Southern Arizona. As a "group" they make up less than 5 percent of the population here. But last week at an Open Mic there was a new guitarist playing, a tall Black man probably early 60s. He was an excellent guitarist but said he wasn't comfortable singing. So he played two instrumentals but did sing two songs and he had a very nice voice. At the end of the show I went over to him and complimented him on his set. He liked what I did as well so we had a nice convo for a few minutes about vocals, musical styles and Michigan sports since he was wearing a Michigan jacket. A super nice guy.

Then yesterday I was at the meat counter getting salmon and another Black fellow was ordering two big salmon fillets. I said something like "must be quite a party". He looked at me and said "Oh yes I've got ten people coming over and they like to eat!" I asked if he was going to smoke or grill and he said he just made a smoker and was eager to try it out. He then just started chatting away about being a caterer but really enjoys entertaining. We shared our favorite salmon recipes (there was no one behind us) and the butcher even chimed in with one of his own.

I guess what I'm saying is I think Americans are still Americans and the divide that exists is politically driven but not inherent in most people. Had either convo turned to politics, then sure it may not have stayed friendly but that is because the current state of politics is poisonous to real discussion and friendly encounters. But I think most Americans are still Americans and not what is presented to us daily by our various forms of Media. As always jmo.

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I had a good experience too -- at the clinic, getting my blood drawn, and the phlebotomist was an anorexic, purple haired woman with a septum ring and a throat tattoo.

Since I had something in common with her -- phlebotomy -- I decided to focus on that, and told her one of my amazing phlebotomy stories, which really helped us enjoy one another. We told each other that we were glad for the experience and I complimented her on doing a very good job of drawing my blood, and we decided that we were looking forward to meeting again.

I wish to see more of this.

I do also have good experiences with other staff there who are politically more like me.

I just want to see more unity. I'm tired of all the screeching, and unity is an important subject in my parish.

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[MarathonMike]

just want to see more unity. I'm tired of all the screeching, and unity is an important subject in my parish.

Absolutely! I long for those days when I could even have a GASP! political discussion with a Liberal. The last I remember was around 1990 and I distinctly remember him saying at the end of our chat "I may disagree with you, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it".

 

[luiza]

It isn't often I have chance encounters with Black people here in Southern Arizona. As a "group" they make up less than 5 percent of the population here. But last week at an Open Mic there was a new guitarist playing, a tall Black man probably early 60s. He was an excellent guitarist but said he wasn't comfortable singing. So he played two instrumentals but did sing two songs and he had a very nice voice. At the end of the show I went over to him and complimented him on his set. He liked what I did as well so we had a nice convo for a few minutes about vocals, musical styles and Michigan sports since he was wearing a Michigan jacket. A super nice guy.

Then yesterday I was at the meat counter getting salmon and another Black fellow was ordering two big salmon fillets. I said something like "must be quite a party". He looked at me and said "Oh yes I've got ten people coming over and they like to eat!" I asked if he was going to smoke or grill and he said he just made a smoker and was eager to try it out. He then just started chatting away about being a caterer but really enjoys entertaining. We shared our favorite salmon recipes (there was no one behind us) and the butcher even chimed in with one of his own.

I guess what I'm saying is I think Americans are still Americans and the divide that exists is politically driven but not inherent in most people. Had either convo turned to politics, then sure it may not have stayed friendly but that is because the current state of politics is poisonous to real discussion and friendly encounters. But I think most Americans are still Americans and not what is presented to us daily by our various forms of Media. As always jmo.

Keep believing in that sentimental twaddle --- imho --- and I hope it sustains as you are all flushed down the toilet system .

Finding a few instances which seem to obviate trends and patterns is what sentimentalists and anti - scientific method individuals feed from and on .

It only takes upward of 3% of previously sleeping people to awaken and a new movement is born .
Your overall position is now irretrievable .
The sentence is a terminal one .