member for 30 weeks 2 days
Hello my Alphawomen!! I need a bit of refuge here, a vast sounding board, I feel I'm spinning a bit from the last couple of weeks... All at once business is going great, so that's a happy stress! Came down with a sinus infection - no fun whatsoever! And I've also been getting my kids ready for school... my son started Kindergarten and my daughter is one year behind in K4. I live in Louisiana and the public schools here are a nightmare, but I'm finding that the private schools have their own skeletons in the closet.
My work world and my passion in life is to educate and empower women around me when it comes to taking care of their physical, sexual selves. This raises so many issues for "conservative" people who may instantly judge me in some negative way, and honestly that doesn't bother me in the least... until one of those people may be teaching my child's class. The private schools here are religious. Again, that doesn't bother me because I want my children to have a knowledge of God and spirit so they grow with that in their heart... but there are limits I have when it comes to the hypocrisy of people who hide their ignorance behind the "good book".
The football coach (on the campus for the older kids, not where my kids go) was heard saying at the teacher's conference that Obama was the anti-christ and will burn in hell because of his Muslim ties. Did you hear that? That was me screaming in the background. It was even overheard that Ghandi was in hell because of his Muslim ties... are you fucking kidding me?
It makes me want to yank my kids out of there!!
Then I pick my kids up from the school and they are loving every moment there... Since they are in Kindergarten and K4 I'm pretty much guaranteed that they will not be forced to listen to the hateful rhetoric spewing from this so-called "Christian" person, but it is killing me that I just gave them $10,000.00 in tuition!! I helped pay that asshole's salary!
I am faced with this for a reason and I am trying to quiet my reactionary mind to find the path.
I have applied to volunteer for a group called Acadiana Cares - an outreach program for people infected with HIV and also an education program to help empower those who aren't infected to stay that way.
I know I live in a conservative state (that takes Mardi Gras off as a state holiday - and has one of the highest DUI rates in the US - but they all pray about it at church so it's all good!!)
But how long do you remain quiet and since I can't remain silent for long (must be my DNA) what will the repercussions be for my kids?
So as all this rattles around my very tired brain (I'm a night owl that now has to get up at 5am to get the kids to school)I will focus on all the things I am so grateful for...
My beautiful kids
My fabulous husband
A business I am very proud of
A loving home I consider my sanctuary
A peace with myself of what I know to be true
A chance to do great things in my community through Acadiana Cares
I might open someone's heart to accept people's differences without sending them to hell - thought that was God's job - ok still a little sarcastic but I'm tired and a little grumpy! 
Thank you for listening ladies, I would love a little input on all of this...
xoxo
Rachael
Comments
Login or register to post a commentMy heart bleeds for you! I
My heart bleeds for you! I to had my son in those private religious schools because like you I wanted him to know God. I love God, I love the Bible but those damn judgemental Christians are a friggen pain in the ass.
It is such a turn off. I think what you are doing is great. You have to develop thick skin and stay true to your purpose and goals. There are always going to people out there who live in glass houses and throw stones. Don't let it harden your heart and you just teach your children different and be different they will get the picture.
Great Post!
XOXO,
Freda
Founder
www.AlphaWomen.com
"Those Who Say It Can't Be Done Need To Get Out Of The Way Of Those Who Are Doing It!"
Overwhelmed
Rachel:
Loved your post... and yes, everyone has the right to vent and talk about things that are bothersome. This is one of the reasons why AlphaWomen.com is such a wonderful and diverse community. We can talk about things, share our ups and downs, dish about things, all in a hate-free and non-judgmental forum.
Sorry to hear about the "Christian" football coach, if he truly was a Christian, he should read the Bible, and learn from its passages about tolerance, patience and diversity. Please be assured, I'm not a "Bible beater" or any religious fanatic, but in times of trouble, I consult my Bible for many of life's problems. Everyone is entitled to their political views and comments, however, the football coach was incorrect by giving his point of view about a politician that is running for President of the United States. He should have been focused on the practice session instead.
You ended your post beautifully. Yes, we all should be thankful for what we have. We should also be thankful that we live in a country that allows us to have the very freedom and a Constitution that allows all people freedom of speech, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Again, thank you for writing this wonderful post Rachel, we can all learn something by it.
Ellen R. Day
Thanks to all of you lovely
Thanks to all of you lovely ladies! I have come to know myself pretty well and when I have a "knee-jerk' reaction to things like this it is the exact time to NOT do anything but sit and quietly ponder what this situation brings up about myself...
I too am a woman of God and I think the bible has it's brilliance peppered with a few agendas set out by the Kings who had it translated... but that is another post!
I am so grateful to have a place to vent... thank you ladies for all of your input!!
"Love Well. Love Wisely."
www.JustInCaseInc.com
Christian Schools
I can totally understand your concerns. One of your child's teachers has a prejudice against Obama and uses the Bible to hide his bigotry. Well, that is the state of our Nation today. You will find those characters everywhere, except that in a public school you could actually have him fired over those remarks. By our constitution no child in a public school can be subjected to any religious ideology.In a Christian school however, those remarks might be more acceptable given that most Protestant churches believe in the near coming of the antichrist and the second coming of Jesus right behind him. Your children are very young now, which means their minds are highly impressionable and malleable, and thus easy to scare and manipulate. It is not my place to tell anybody what they should do with their children but if I was in that same situation I would put them in an environment that invites critical thinking and celebrates people's differences. A Christian school in my opinion would be hard pressed to fit that description.
Is there anything worse than
Is there anything worse than power/influence plus ignorance? Gees o' man. I can't even imagine being in your shoes. I am a firm believer of putting my money where my mouth is, AND not putting my money in the hands of people who don't represent me (as much as possible.) It would KILL me to pay the salaries of ignorant teachers (which SHOULD be an oxymoron.)
The funny thing is that the coach talks about Barack being "connected" with Muslims as if being Muslim is equal to being a terrorist, which is about as true as a KKK member being a Christian. I just have no tolerance for such bullshit.
Hopefully you can find some allies that will stand with you if you have to express your feelings to necessary officials. I'll be standing with you in spirit.
"I paint my own reality." -Frida Kahlo