Seriously, people? Stereotype much?

I live in small, rural town.  I get that.  But we are less than an HOUR from St. Louis.  You know, the BIG city...with BLACK PEOPLE!?!?  I swear I get some students that act as if they've never seen someone of color - black, slightly browner than them...ANYTHING.  There are no religions but Christian, there are no orientations but hetero....on and on and on. 
Today topped it all tho.  I'm teaching Oral Communications.  (Ok, get the oral jokes out now....I'll wait.)
Done?  Let's proceed.  We were talking about stereotypes and how they affect communication.  To illustrate, I posted 8 pictures of random people.  Couple of old people, one black guy, middle aged white lady, hoosier preggo chick, and one major butch dyke.  (Oh yes, I went there!)  The assignment was to imagine that you are in NYC and you HAVE to catch the next subway and you can't find your money.  You must ask one of these people for $5.  I had them rank them in order of who they'd ask first and on down the line and then why. 
All was fine and dandy until one group says..."I'd ask the colored man."  Wait, WTF did you just say???  I was speechless.  Who the fuck says that?  I corrected them which then prompted someone else to ask, "So we shouldn't use Negro, either?"  That was when my head exploded.  The worst part was that there was no embarrassment at all about this.  No shame at their straight up racism!  I am by far not a politically correct person.  Hell, Lisa Lampinelli is a personal favorite of mine....but fucking COLORED??!?!?  Is it 1965 and I missed the damned time travel?
I'm feeling a bit disgusted with my surroundings at the moment.  Wait til they figure out I'm a big ole dyke. 

Grief sucks

Please visit The Deviant Dyke and give her some love.  I can't imagine what she's going through or the depths of sadness in losing her love. 

It's timely to discuss grief as September looms...or as I think of it - the month of funerals.  Every September for the past 5 years someone has died.  It started with my 10 year old cousin.  Last year it was my best friend's 4 year old son.  September is going to suck with memories, especially of Daniel.

Hug your loved ones, EVERY DAMNED DAY.  Every second if they'll let you.  Don't hesitate to share your feelings.  Live your life so that there are never any "I wish I would haves" - especially in regards to your parents, spouse and children.  Tell them EVERY DAY that you love them and how special they are.  Live and love abundantly.