Those words seem to follow me where ever I go in life. And they're always followed by something racist. Or sexist. Or homophobic. Or some other form of bigotry. Bigots don't want to think of themselves as bigots, so they just don't ("I'm not a racist, but..."). Because if they did, that reality would cause them to feel a lot of different emotions. And that's what they don't want, because emotions are scary to them. Bigots are people who are afraid. They are afraid of things they don't understand. And what they don't understand is anything that falls outside of their realm of experience. (I don't think I've ever met a well-traveled bigot. As soon as a person gets out and sees the world, they stop being afraid of every little shadow and just get on with the business of living.) So they live these little, tiny lives and spend their time hating everyone who's not in their immediate circle, all because they are too afraid to look at things they don't understand. It's sad, really. Because of their fear, they are condemning themselves to a permanent state of patheticness*. So, the next time you encounter bigotry, calm the desire to punch the person in the head by reminding yourself that they are just sad, little people, living in a state of patheticness.+ Then just move on, knowing the world is doing the same.
Caption: "Bigot" search photo of two awesome people who have learned to conquer their fear standing near a state of patheticness.
* Made up word, used exclusively for bigots.
+ It is also acceptable, but commonly futile, at this point to try to explain the error of their ways to them. You can do it! Good luck.
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