Chicken Chat

By Butternose

Here's my second edition of Chicken Chat. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how to word everything so bare with me.
Like I said in my first edition, I just want all of us cackling chickens out there to keep in mind some of the not-so-wise decisions people make, including myself, and hopefully use them to take a step back and think about our daily lives and what we can do to make them more worthwhile for ourselves and for those who we come in contact with, whoever they might be. Mind you, with these Chicken Chats, I'm not saying you shouldn't cackle with your husband or your very best friends if you think it's appropriate, but even with them, as with anyone, be mindful of the words that are coming out of your beak, because once they leave you can never take them back.
Here's my TRUE story with altered names in order to protect the privacy of those involved.
Again, I was sitting in a high-traffic public place watching my little chick playing with all of the other little chicks.
There was an older chicken who began making small talk with me. We talked about this and that, that and this. I told her I was there with my little chick and she said she was there with her grand-chick - a pleasant conversation overall.
The play area was confined and there were a lot of little chicks of all different ages, but seemingly of the same cultural background, running through the play equipment and playing nicely. Well, for the most part - there were some quick cries and a few screams, but nothing major.
After a moment of silence in the conversation, the older chicken said "Now isn't this nice?"
"Yes," I said. "It's great for the chicks to have a place to play."
The older chicken said, "No, I mean that there aren't any" and she looked around quickly and then leaned towards me and said in a softer voice "black chicks here."
I shrugged my shoulders as to say I hadn't noticed, which I hadn't.
"They're just so mean when you get into places like this," she continued. "Their parents don't give a damn about them and they just let them run. One time when we were here before one of them kicked my grand-chick right in the face. That little black chick knew exactly what she was doing and did it on purpose."
"Did you tell her mom," I asked?
The older chicken said,"Well, I was afraid it would cause a scene and I didn't want to start any trouble so I never said anything. You know they learn it at home though, they have to."
"Who knows how any of our little chicks learn their behavior," I said. "My little chick doesn't like any little chicks in her face so I know if any chick gets too close for her comfort and she doesn't want them there, she'll hit them. And I never taught her that."
And now my story stops as the facts have been told, and plus there was nothing further said as I think the older chicken got the hint that she didn't want to go there with me.
The Problem: Assuming it's okay to make prejudicial and stereotypical statements to a person of a seemingly similar cultural background.
The Solution: Don't assume it's okay to make prejudicial and stereotypical statements to a person of a seemingly similar cultural background.
Lesson Learned: You might have your reasons for being prejudice or stereotyping a group of people, but realize that not everyone, even if they look like they should agree with you, feels the same way. I know most everyone has a story of a bad experience with a person of different age, gender, religion, race, etc., but be the better person and don't let it cloud your entire outlook on that group of people. Because the reality is that individuals are what make a group, and not the group that makes the individual.