Ignorance......

I attended a seminar the other day where the speakers where the top earners at a leading wholesale distribution company - one lady proceeded to speak of how she expanded her business in mexico and the people she helped there. She then proceeded to mimic a mexican accent (to everyone else's amusement), explain how she had to remove all her jewelry while traveling to avoid being mugged (like we have no muggers here in u.s.a.) and that the person she sponsored had to conduct business literally under a table at a restaraunt while the rebels were invading oaxaca! She also went on to say that she had been offered pidgeon or iguana to eat and was surprised when she tasted a dish to find that it was worms and grasshoppers.....all this "hardship" she had to endure to grow her business to where it is today and be the success that she had become....Her tale was not done respectfully but in jest to get a laugh out of the audience. Why do people feel they have to make fun of what they do not know or understand? if mexico is such a third world country as she made it out to be, with rebellions and the like then why are their immigrants denied help and legal status when it is given to other countries such as el salvador, certain places from africa, etc. (of course this is another topic, i digress.) Her speech gave only emphasized that she helped that person for her own monetary gain and not out of the kindness of her heart, which is what she would have everyone believe. If only that person knew how she had been mocked and made fun of in front of thousands of people....this woman also showed how ignorant she really is and lacking of understanding for the culture and environment of others. I recently came across a wonderful web site (www.postcrossing.com) where you can exchange postcards with others from all over the world!! Through this site you can communicate and learn about others, their likes, dislikes, hobbies, their cities, families....it is such a wonderful endeavor....i equate this effort to be what perhaps those that started the olympics wanted for their endeavor - to learn about others, communicate and have others go away with new understanding and friendships.....check it out....