Importance of an expat community

Thank you for posting that speech by Sojourner Truth Expat.  That was really interesting.

She's awesome, isn't she?  The other one I really like - poetry - is Langston Hughes.  I always remember his line, 'Shoes got by devilish ways will burn your feet.'  True, very true.

I thank you for that, too.
     Well, I don't drink, so I'm sober at cocktail parties. Lord, I don't know if I've ever been to one, actually. More like the one during Mardi Gras for which someone had carried a guy in a wheel chair up to the 5th floor attic and set him down in the middle of the room with his guitar surrounded by drums and other instruments that folks picked up. An absolute stranger walked up to me for that one, said "You look like you might enjoy my party" and handed me a Xerox.
     Did Sojourner Truth speak differently when she wasn't speaking to convince? I'm pretty sure that she, too, wasn't very welcome in polite society because of the bluntness of her speech. I'm just saying that there's no reason there shouldn't be room here for folks like me and Tanya.

DJC

What do women discuss at parties?  Is wine really better than beer  ?

That and trading recipes and knitting patterns. 

     Did Sojourner Truth speak differently when she wasn't speaking to convince? I'm pretty sure that she, too, wasn't very welcome in polite society because of the bluntness of her speech. I'm just saying that there's no reason there shouldn't be room here for folks like me and Tanya.

I think if she were excluded from 'polite society' it would probably have been because she was black more than anything else. 

There's a fundamental difference between being blunt and being argumentative and defensive.  I fail to see how that can escape anyone educated and cultured.

But alas, of all the things I love about the British, their almost innate subtelty and art of nuance as well as their ability to not take themselves so seriously - or at least to not take things so personally - are among those I most admire. 

That and trading recipes and knitting patterns. 

Is dark chocolate better than plain? 

Is dark chocolate better than plain?

Um - yes?   

I'm pretty sure that she, too, wasn't very welcome in polite society because of the bluntness of her speech. I'm just saying that there's no reason there shouldn't be room here for folks like me and Tanya.

Pretty sure that no one is saying, or has EVER said that there's not room for you or Tanya here. In fact, I'm pretty sure that no one would ever even consider saying that there's no room for someone on this board.... But it's a natural reaction to get defensive when a person feels they are being criticized or put down in subtle or not-so-subtle jabs (i.e. the insinuation that no one here is capable of discussing culture and politics just because we occaisionally break into long conversations about ice cream makers....   )

I will say that no one has EVER suggested that I was a member of "polite society" - I think I rather like that in a weird way.  

Sorry, Mindy - I know you were trying to get us back on topic, but I missed the meat of this discussion last night and I just couldn't resist....

Point taken, Anne. I don't mind the long conversations about icecream makers, or wine, or chickens, or whatever, except when they are used as filabuster to shut down controversy, and even then, I accept that it's a valid tool.
     By the way, just researched. (Curiosity more than argumentativeness.) Articles speak of "acid intelligence" and courseness. For instance, apparently she actually bared her breasts during that speech. I was speaking more of black polite society where folks who spoke like her were often thought to be bringing on trouble  for everyone, which was true, but sometimes trouble is the way to better. Of course she wasn't accepted by white polite society.
 As for chocolate, put me down for chocolate with bits of mint in it.

DJC

Where was that line from 'seagoddess', about 'pulling out of the harbour'.  Well said, seagoddess.  I'm a lazy slacker - always have been, always will be.  I enjoy it.  I pick my battles but would really rather be sleeping, eating, or drinking wine.  If others want to get worked up about whatever they fancy, so be it. 

Life is too short and there's just way too many pleasures for me to bother, truth be told.

Peedal, there really ARE some plain chocolates that are better than dark ones, you know.  You ought to get out more  .

Peedal, there really ARE some plain chocolates that are better than dark ones, you know. You ought to get out more .

No sh*te!  (About the needing to get out more!)

Besides, no chocolates for me right now as they're not surviving the trip down the high street even in this heat!     

Besides, no chocolates for me right now as they're not surviving the trip down the high street even in this heat!     

You're not eating them fast enough! 

Point taken, Anne. I don't mind the long conversations about icecream makers, or wine, or chickens, or whatever, except when they are used as filabuster to shut down controversy, and even then, I accept that it's a valid tool.

Sorry, one last comment (or perhaps this thread should be split?) I actually don't think it is a method to shut down controversy. I think it's a method to make people laugh again after a discussion turns personal and/or ugly.... For the most part (of course there have been a few random exceptions) the only times I've ever seen a thread degenerate badly is when the arguing becomes blatantly insulting. It's possible to have a good, vigorous discussion without people trying to make others feel bad about themselves and one way is to introduce some levity.... Or maybe that's just my touchy-feely California attitude.  

Is it too early for wine and chocolate?  

Is it too early for wine and chocolate?  

It's NEVER too early for wine and chocolate, Anne.

Californians are so touchy-feeling, Texans have to slap them occassionally  .

i understand the use of humor. It could be on point humor though. Like when to show that the inclusion of one student observer who wasn't allowed to say anything at all at the College Board meeting wasn't going to be acceptable as student representation, a group burst in selling popcorn, the message being "This is a circus." Like that used by the Pink Slip ladies at the demonstrations around the Republican convention and the Guerilla Girls. It takes a little more thought and effort than simply changing the topic to spicy or plain pappadans, but it's worth it.

DJC

i understand the use of humor.

Really?  Could have fooled me.   

DUC, may we have a song before Mindy locks this up?