My grade 10 academic English class, has recently finished the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee which reflects a lot on prejudice. Growing up in the small town of Elmira, Ontario I have not been directly influenced by prejudice, or at least I am not aware of it, but as growing up with Mennonites in the community, it is hard to not notice the remarks made towards them. For instance, this past week, my mom and I were driving down main street when a horse and buggy was waiting to make a right turn in front of us. Of course, we had the time and decided to stop to let them in, but the line up behind us didn't think so, and got very upset. What's wrong with doing a simple little deed and just waiting a few seconds? Don't we have enough time in our day to wait half a second to let an innocent Mennonite in? Or, one day last year, I saw a horse and buggy in the drive through of MacDonald's. Of course if you aren't use to it, it looks kind of unusual, but how are they any different from the rest of us? Just because they dress differently and drive a different means of transportation, people treat them differently? That is what I don't get right there. Are those the only two things that come to mind when people think of old order Mennonites being different from other people?
My point that people are sometime prejudice toward Mennonites, relates to the book To Kill A Mockingbird in the way that Jem and Scout, with a bunch of other followers, treat the Ewell's differently not just because they live down at the dump and they are not very literate, and therefore comes the fact that they don't fit in with the others in their school/society. Just because they are one of a kind or look a bit different then the rest of the kids doesn't mean that they are different from the rest of the other kids/people.
Next time you see a Mennonite going down the street or just going about with their day, think about it. What makes then any different from us? Why are so many people prejudice towards Mennonites?
You make a good point, they are like us, they are people too, nothing less.
ReplyDeletePeople are probably prejudice towards them because there is so few in Elmira, but in a way they also 'run' the town (won't let stores be open on Sundays as an example).
Amy, you make a great point- that just because the Mennonites choose to live a different lifestyle from me or you, that doesn't mean we should treat them badly. It is nicely said.
ReplyDeletei think we are prejudice to them because in this society, if people dress differently than us, they aren't people
ReplyDeletep.s great blog, really got that thing between my ears goin!