Don't laugh at me. - Patti Digh's Strong Offer

Don’t laugh at me.

October 13, 2007 in Uncategorized

Laughter is a deflection, something we often do when we are anxious or uncomfortable. Sometimes we laugh because of fear, vulnerability, ignorance.

Thanks to And Another Thing, where I saw this video this morning. As a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics, it was especially moving to me. By the time I do diversity training with adults, a lifetime of laughing at has taken place–we need more programs in K-12 schools that share this message.

Why is so difficult to meet the gaze of people different from ourselves? What would it take for us to understand that the person in front of us who seems vastly different is as richly human as we are?

Getting laughed is something we’ve all experienced. Why, then, do we pass that pain on to others, I wonder?

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

7 comments to " Don’t laugh at me. "


Becky

October 13, 2007 AT 9:09PM

I used to teach kids with severe or multiple disabilities. Thanks for this post! I can’t tell you the anger I’ve felt for the kids I’ve taught when they’ve been laughed at. I can say I’ve honestly never been so angry. However, I can’t tell you how proud I’ve been of other kids who’ve realized that the people I teach are PEOPLE too with their own personalities, joys, desires and dreams.

I fully admit that I laugh when I’m nervous.

Donna

October 13, 2007 AT 9:11PM

touching…

blue girl

October 14, 2007 AT 9:38AM

I’m a huge cackler. Always have been. But, I’m not laughing now — that video made me cry.

Here’s a link to a post I read last night.

http://wheeliecatholic.blogspot.com/2007/10/watching-notre-dame-this-year-should.html#links

It’s a wonderful post about how she has to have other people tie her shoes and everyone who does never feels like they do it right. I urge you to read it. It just shows how insecure we all are and really makes you wonder why we can’t admit it or remember it when we’re dealing with others.

patti digh

October 14, 2007 AT 11:42AM

becky – that’s important work – and you could tell in the video that the people working with those kids felt the same way you did. many thanks for your note…

donna – great to hear from you – many thanks for your note!

blue girl – what an interesting post, on many levels – sometimes it is the smallest thing someone notices that opens up a whole chain of thoughts, as the post you pointed to did for me… i’m also looking for a good book (novel, memoir) about living as a person with a disability for my “Bridging Differences” book club, so that site will be a great resource for me – thanks!

blue girl

October 14, 2007 AT 11:53AM

Hi Patti,

Want to highly recommend, “Planet of the Blind” by Steve Kuusisto. It’s a memoir and a truly wonderful book.

Steve is also a poet and lucky for all of us — a blogger too!

You can find him here:

http://www.kuusisto.typepad.com/

Joy

October 14, 2007 AT 7:42PM

That was beautiful, Patti. Thanks for sharing.

Rick

October 19, 2007 AT 3:16PM

I’m a pretty shy person and often pass strangers without making eye contact. I don’t do that with anyone who I can see is in any way handicapped or challenged. It’s been a conscious thing I have done for many years, to always look these folks in the eye.

Often, they are surprised by this. Sometimes, we end up chatting. Mostly, I walk on by and I feel better for that one second of human dignity I intentionally bestowed.

I’ll be sure to check out the video when I am out from under the restrictions of my workplace network.