I'm a college educated (and for waaaaaay too long), middle-aged, Republican (most people I know will be offended by this more than anything), White, American female. I'm about as milk toast as they come. If the job of Marcia Brady hadn't already been filled I could have been her. I haven't personally been denied anything because of these statistics, but to say I have not experienced prejudice is an unfair statement.
When I walk my Great Pyrenees people openly gawk and smile, run up and want to snuggle them, come out of the woodwork to ask what they are. When I walk my pit bulls people steer clear. No one comes up to me to ask if they can pet my dogs. The majority of the time, people openly stare (especially if it is summer and the tatts are hanging out)-- frequently with disgust, as I parade my marauding flesh eating monsters down the street. Never mind that Emma is just about the cutest thing you will ever see sporting her humongous chest, tiny little rear, pointy face and Moo Cow pattern. The fact that she is walking next to a cold, hard looking black bitch is enough.
Today someone stopped to inquire about daycare for their dog. The first question out of the mouth was, "Do pit bulls come here?" I responded with a question, versus an answer. "Are you wanting to adopt?! OMG that's fabulous! I work with local shelters!" Instead of letting her interrupt, I explained how many wonderful pit bulls were my clients. I continued to explain that the only dogs I had thrown out of daycare happened to be a number of mixes, a chocolate lab, and a golden retriever. "What kind of dog do you have!!!?" ... I excitedly asked. "A chocolate lab" said the woman with a frown. I said with a deflated sigh.... "Ohhhhhh. Have you been turned down by other daycares and that's why you're here!?"
"Why would anyone turn us down?!" she indignantly demanded. I said, "Haven't there been a number of situations with labs recently with attacks and biting and stuff!? I totally saw it in the paper, I think!" To which she responded, "That's just crazy! That's the media! That's biased sensationalism!!! Do you mean to tell me you don't let labs in here!!?"
I responded by telling her, "I let all breeds of dog pass through these gates. Most are ready but some are not. Sometimes some dogs need more support to make it in a large group of dogs-- we can offer that. I don't believe in discrimination. Do you?"
When she said she felt discrimination was an "ugly, ugly thing" I had to say that I agreed with her. I never saw that "spark" that let's you know someone just understood you... that they totally and unequivocally "got" you. So whether or not she even heard me is beyond me as I write. She took information, thanked me and left. Will she call? Who knows. Will she suddenly realize that SHE was practicing discrimination, that "ugly, ugly thing", when she is driving down the road? Who knows. But if a chocolate lab shows up I'll be sure to whisper in the pit bulls ears that they need to be as nice as possible to our newest guest.
OMG. That is great! Such a great response!
ReplyDeleteWho knows whether she "got it" or not. After all, it's often harder to pull the log out of our own eye than it is to pull the speck out of someone else's.
I have never had a pit. My current dog is the only one that's ever been "mine", but I interact with them all the time at the Humane Society and they are often the sweetest, cuddliest dogs ever!
On the other hand, there actually have been SEVERAL labs that I have avoided interacting with at all costs because I feared for my life and limbs!