We have just come through another very frigid night. The furnace chugged away, doing its job without fail, so that Mist Cottage remained comfortably warm while we slept.
I am sitting in my easy chair, in a pool of sunshine. How glorious it is. It is Friday, and Attila will be very glad to see the end of this work week. The weather people say that by Saturday the temperature will rise above freezing. Such a contrast in the weather from one day to the next!
This morning I read a very interesting article about slavery in Canada, historical in nature, including the enslavement of both aboriginal and black individuals. The details were new to me, but I was not surprised in the least that a great many prominent Canadian historical figures, people wielding power in governments, and having affluence to protect, supported slavery. The article asserts that when the investment in human flesh offered tenuous returns, the practice of slavery declined. The article also asserted that it was the activities of humanely oriented individuals that eventually eroded the profitability of slavery, weakening its hold on economic infrastructures. Some humane people did what they could, when they could, and eventually the scattered drops that fell from their efforts became a river.
I watched a vlog the other day, where a woman who crochets described a derogatory comment made to her about her hobby, by a woman who knits, and felt that knitting was the superior pastime. The insult was offered up with a friendly smile, as the insulter felt that her opinion represented not only the truth, but a truth that was universally agreed upon. The insulter felt downright cheerful in airing her contempt, putting the crocheter in her place. Evangelism is just another “ism”, with much in common with other “isms”, like racism, sexism, ageism… the list is long, very, very long. Them, the crocheters, and us, the holy knitters. The division is false, but it served a purpose.
A bit of a rant from Maggie.
The woman describing the incident was upset by the experience. I would be too. My feelings towards people, who offer up reasons that they and their choices are superior, and you and your choices are inferior, are summed up by the words disgust, pity, and sadness. Toxic behaviours always make me feel sad, it is such a failure of human potential, such a misuse of the human spirit.
It doesn’t have to be yarn related pastimes that are used for these kinds of evangelistic strikes on another’s peace of mind. Any topic can be used as ground zero.
I run into this kind of evangelism on occasion. It is not the most common form of interaction in my world, MOST people do not have a lurking agenda when I interact with them. That is refreshing.
Worldly
Weather
-20°C
Date: 8:00 AM EST Friday 1 February 2019
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Pressure: 102.9 kPa
Tendency: Rising
Temperature: -19.6°C
Dew point: -22.9°C
Humidity: 76%
Wind: WNW 11 km/h
Wind Chill: -27
Visibility: 24 km
Quote
“Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hard-working, honest Americans. It’s the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then–we elected them.”
Lily Tomlin
1939 –
It’s interesting, what you read about slavery in Canada, especially considering its history. Quite a number of people pre-1850 were at least mix blood indigenous (Metis), themselves, so you’d think they’d have a problem with slavery by race. Especially indigenous slavery. Then again, the country statrted out with businesses like Hudson Bay, where people were indebted to the company and worked off their debt.
An example, my own ancestor who was a Metis but who also retired to government and owning quite a bit of land around your area. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Montour
That exchange about crochet vs knitting is galling. Both are wonderful skills that produces useful items, and often things of beauty. Very sad that anyone should have such an ego problem they feel the need to tear down another accomplished crafter.
I think I know exactly what you mean when you talk about coming across as thinking one’s own choices are superior to those of others. In my case, I could sound as if I believe I’m more practical than people who take a tropical holiday every winter! Or I’m better than women who shave their legs religiously, dye their hair, get perms, or wear makeup! Or that I’m infinitely smarter because Facebook no longer is permitted to distract me as it once did!
There’s a fine line between stating the reasons for one’s own preferences and judging those of others. And then there’s the way listeners “take” things … that makes a big difference too, because we so easily misunderstand each other. It kind of makes me afraid to open my mouth at all, for fear I may unwittingly put my own foot in it. I just have to think about how sensitive people are following a bereavement or when they’re struggling with a serious illness. Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you say or do or how well intentioned, it isn’t right, because their world isn’t right.
Kate
Interesting ancestry Teri!
People did exploit their own race for profit in the slave trade, that is well documented in Africa, and there is some mention of it amongst Aborniginal peoples in North America, some of the Canadian tribes kept slaves as well, pre-contact with European cultures.
I agree, the crochet verus knitting exchange was silly, gratuitous. and very sad!
“There’s a fine line between stating the reasons for one’s own preferences and judging those of others.” Exactly Kate, it is a fine line, and I do believe that when intentions are good that those intentions will come through in interactions. That is where my rule of three enters into the picture when meeting new people. The first time I detect what seems like unkindness, or judgemental narrowness, I take note. If there is a second time I take note, and start to wonder about the person’s agenda. The third time I know I am dealing with some personal issue that person is carrying around, and direct contact is going to be about that issue, very difficult.
So far in Canada we each have the right to an array of preferences, and opinions, and choices, which makes for interesting differences. I feel my choices are the best, but at the same time I am quite aware that my position as centre of the known universe is highly subjective. I usually enjoy hearing about other people’s preferences, particularly if they enjoy their preferences and are sharing that passion for whatever.
Kate, I know that when things in my world just aren’t right, it is just good to know people are there, acknowledging, just being there, even if there is nothing that can be said that is right. There is a certain energy that compassion and concern emanate, and perhaps it takes many drops of kindness to accumulate a river of change.
Humph on the misguided knitter. I do both and am quite sure crocheting is harder. With knitting, counting is easy because the stitches are all right there the needles as little individuals! And then there’s the whole subject of tension.
And that’s my opinion, which has not one whit more virtual or accuracy than any other.
Wendy, well, you know, I welcome opinions from my friends, so I do value what you have to say about knitting and crocheting. Context is everything! I find croceting easier, only because I can manage it with basically one hand, while knitting really needs two hands, which is a relatively unique situation.