response 1 of 20:

Aug 7 13:49 UTC 2002

I don't normally comment on content but...
This is ironic. The first two stanzas are pure prejudice, then in the fourth
stanza, you say, "Spare me the prejudice." I presume you're not talking to
yourself, but maybe you should be.

response 3 of 20:

Aug 8 09:10 UTC 2002

Paul, Russ is correct.  Try reading it again.

The "pure prejudice" is based on a variety of comments I've heard from 
people, but a recent one just took the cake.  I went to a local U-Bake 
pizza chain and paid with my EBT card.  The cashier and I got into a 
small conversation in which I commented that I thought EBT cards were 
less embarassing.

It ended on the note that it was her opinion that people on food stamps 
tended to just make babies.  I was somewhat offended as I have only 
one.  The slam might have been directed towards white folk, but it more 
smacked of "Mexican."

response 5 of 20:

Aug 9 06:56 UTC 2002

I do freely admit my prejudices-- even when they run ironic.

Psychologically, everyone has prejudices, however, under certain 
definitions.  So, technically, so do you.  I nevertheless apologize.

btw, over here, it would be "those filthy beaners and their prego 
women."

Mighty acrid tongue we have today, don't we?  Where the HELL do you get 
off determining what I am or am not saying in a creative work?  If it 
were prose, and a more of a declarative statement, I would understand.  
I still apologize, and again, I've said, "Yeah, I'm probably wrong," 
but you've REALLY pissed me off.  Who died and made you a diety on 
what's moral, hmmm?

So I have prejudices with white trash and some migrants (but most of 
the people I do see every day are white), but good grief, YOU KNOW MY 
POETRY IS CATHARTIC!  If you can't accept me, faults and all, you 
should just piss off.  And why should I be so mad?

Because, Paul, I sincerely believe you are better than that.

response 11 of 20:

Aug 10 13:09 UTC 2002

My point is that we don't have a transcript of Jon's experience
with the cashier, and using the word "bigot" indicates prejudice.

response 13 of 20:

Aug 12 20:56 UTC 2002

You didn't have to do all this just on my account!

I do like the poem. I must say, however much as it pains me to do so, I agree
with Paul to a point. That is to say, we are all prejudiced to some
degree. Being black and raised by the white side of my family, I can say that
I have prejudices on both sides of my race line. While this "grey" racism is
not all together pleasant, it is a part of who I am and I have to deal with
that, adjust and hopefully grow into a less-racist human being. I can discuss
it rationaly; maybe some of you cannot.

And yes, the poem hints at some racism on the poet's part. But he expressed
how he felt, reactionary to a negative experience, quite well. I might suggest
adding a little more substance however to the last stanza.

Now I am quite sure I have given reason for both sides to hate me, and now
I don't feel so bad!! :) Toodles.

response 15 of 20:

Aug 13 14:29 UTC 2002

Addition to last stanza:

You see, I once thought as you do.
Then I had to start walking
where these people do.
I've got a white trashy friend.
Very well educated, though.
Oh, wait-- should I make an exception
because he's an LDS Jew?
And not long ago, I was eating humble pie
working out in the fields
with brown-skinned laborers.
I didn't last two days, though.
*sigh* and I doubt they are taking jobs away.

Wait at least until you've been there.

response 17 of 20:

Aug 16 06:44 UTC 2002

Latter-Day Saint (i.e., Mormon)

response 19 of 20:

Aug 27 22:26 UTC 2002

re resp 13: but you're so *worth* our argumentativeness! (is that a word? 
oh well, we're in poetry.)