Pride and Prejudice

I'm rarely serious on here. Mainly because as a stay at home mommy with a toddler most things that happen are either hysterically funny or mind numbingly frustrating. Rarely thought provoking. But something happened today and it provoked a thought, several actually. A train of thought if you will.
We attend Valleydale Church and our pastor's sermon today really hit home and caused some soul searching. It was on Prejudice. Before he began I prided myself on having such an insignificant amount of prejudice that I could have stayed home. I've always worked with minorities and low socio-economic groups. While I am a Republican, I am a bleeding heart when it comes to groups who are mistreated or experience misfortune. Boy do I have a lot to learn.
He had an African American lady answer some questions about her experience as a black female and also as a minority in a predominantly white (like 99%) congregation. Her answers astounded me. She spoke of two forms of pressure. One to overcome prejudices formed from previous encounters with blacks. And two, behave in a way that does not foster future prejudices based on her actions.
I just sat dumbfounded. These are two pressures I have never experienced. It was one of those moments where your eyes are opened to a world outside of yours. A world filled with pain, concerns, and fears you have never even considered, much less experienced. A world in need of change, hope and people willing to make a difference.
I hope you are sitting dumbfounded at your computer. Maybe if enough of us are struck dumfounded we can stop being so dumb.