Reviews from

White Bread

Dialogue between mom and son with few speech tags

39 total reviews 
Comment from RGstar
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Well done my dear friend, I read this with a little hidden humor within, yet we must never trivialize the situation of an encounter of rejection or racist banter as to explain to another why this thing is as it is, where the world protests, not just black people...in fact, it is more white than black that protest, across the world, and sometimes, like then as now, we trivialize reasons because nobody white was hanged , paraded in zoos as children, hanged on every tree, placed on postcards as the hangings were for friends and families to laugh and accept as the norm, neither gather in their thousands as pastime and a source of enjoyment ...neither has it carried on, for 200 years in its different forms that even a man can be killed while the world watches expecting to get away with it, as the numerous shootings and such by law enforcement and others throughout time based on nothing but colour of skin, until even now, and if it was only to balance with the heckling of 'white bread,' I think all people of colour would take that and laugh it off as something funny, compared to what one has to go through in daily life, of which many are ignorant of, or are passive to because used to. To some, they might try to use the 'white bread' situation as if to say there is racism on both sides as if it was even...or to use it as if to say; ''You see, it happens to us also'' but let me tell you, it would be a mockery and the same level of non-reality that has seen us get here in the first place. The ignorance of accepting superiority given by those who had money in 1800's to profess themselves better...and to create the term 'white men'...before that the term didn't exist, has taken the human race into a world of division by hate rather than natural separation , in a benign sense, with us naturally accepting and enjoying the world, and the short time we have in it...together. Still, history is as near as yesterday...every hour past is history, and history has been present everyday for some, even though some will say...''that was then'' that is history. Unfortunately, history was last week, and last month, and last year, for so will it be documented, and I hope so much so that it won't be left out to suit any party. This was a story that I smiled at, for I have lived it a million times during childhood and was so normal, I never counted it as racism, just more a personal thing from the person who was dishing it out, and so they are judged for a maximum of a minute and then forgotten... such was the frequency of 'White bread', if I can call it that, because it was so normal... something that I would not even recollect because of its frequency... would never have remained in mind or I would be able to write a whole book of the happenings...or dead of depression. I enjoyed the story dear Diane, it brought back memories of the names I was called , the prodding, the trips, the spit, the nigger, wog, coon, Robertson jam, ''get back on the Jam Jar'' golliwog, black pudding, Uncle Sam, gorilla, monkey, I can go on....and on...and on...and on. 'These were my white bread' situations....and you are absolutely right dear Diane, I can just picture the scenario of which you spoke. Brought back memories... And I could just see you in the classroom being harassed by this girl....and it would have happened to others too who were white, many a story to tell, without justifying comparissons. You told this one eloquently, and true to life...well written....still...such is history, always rebounds to the present, even in thought, but nobody hurting of it as the many who still hurt today.
Bravo.
My sixth star. Well done.
RG

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2020


reply by the author on 17-Jul-2020
    Good Morning, RG,
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review.
    I cannot begin to fathom the overt racism you have experienced during your lifetime. Then again, I have never been able to fathom the concept of racism throughout the ages although some would disagree with my statement and consider my stance as naive or myopic.
    I was taught to celebrate and respect social, cultural, and racial differences. I didn't learn those concepts from my academic teachers so much as I learned them from my parents - especially my father, whose brother was a World War II Japanese prisoner of war and who was summarily killed - after 31 months of imprisonment in Cabanatuan - when an American submarine torpedoed the Japanese Hell Ship, the Arisan Maru on which my uncle was chained in its hold...
    My father could have modeled and taught my sisters and me hatred for the Japanese; instead, he taught us to live our lives with respect and understanding of others.
    When I was a senior in high school, my mother approached my father with the suggestion that my family host a Japanese exchange student - whose father had been a guard at the Japanese Imperial Palace during WWII. My father could have adamantly rejected her idea. Instead, he said the words that have defined for me the ultimate testimony of forgiveness: "It is time that we all heal."
    I've written of the my uncle's imprisonment and death a number of times and its effect on my father's family - and consequently, mine.
    If you have a moment, "To Seek Solace in October Skies" is in my portfolio.
    But, RG, truly, "It is time that we all heal" ... before it is too late...

    Thank you again, my friend!
    Wishing you a beautiful weekend...
    diane
reply by RGstar on 17-Jul-2020
    You too my dear friend...I dont try to understand it ...It has never touched me past childhood, and never will. I have always been too strong and too positive, as well too wise and conditioned to moving any such thing away from any vision or goal I have. I simple do not allow it, whatever sort it is. Thank you for your detailed reply. God bless. Keep well. My best to you and family.
Comment from Contests

Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A seven star rating from the Contest Committee for the recognition this post has received from the FanStory community. While this was not a Contest Committee decision, the committee recognizes this achievement with a seven star review.

 Comment Written 15-Jul-2020


reply by the author on 15-Jul-2020
    Thank you!
    I am honored and humbled by this recognition.

    diane
Comment from w.j.debi
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thank you for he insightful take on the issue. After all is said and done, we need to learn to respect and help each other. It takes time and effort to overcome the fears and gain the insight.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2020


reply by the author on 14-Jul-2020
    Hello w.j.debi!
    So pleased you stopped by and enjoyed.
    Thank you!

    diane
Comment from Pearl Edwards
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A good dialogue story on prejudices of many sorts. I'm a little older and remember having to give up work because I was getting married, that certainly wouldn't happen nowadays. Just one typo Mrs KT - to get to know one anther (another)
cheers, and good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2020


reply by the author on 14-Jul-2020
    So pleased you enjoyed, Pearl, and it resonated with you.
    Thank you for your excellent rating - despite that typing snafu! And thank you for pointing that out - slipped right by my good eye!

    Thank you!
    diane
Comment from Beverly A McBride
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a lovely, profound well-written story. My hat is off to you for bringing together so much of the angst the country is going through right now. You've got such good examples of the very issues we're struggling with, and your characters are giving thoughtful answers, guidance. I am hopeful that lots of homes are having similar conversations, eh? Very well done. Good luck with the contest.

 Comment Written 13-Jul-2020


reply by the author on 13-Jul-2020
    Hello Beverly!
    I am honored by your rating and review.
    So very pleased that my words resonated with you!

    Thank you!
    diane
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I think we could all benefit from reading this. I've been going through my messages, reading them, but not reviewing all the ones that weren't promoted. However, this one needs to be seen and read. I loved it. We could all learn something from this and we all need to know that not everyone is the same. We all have our own emotions and act differently on them for whatever reason. However, that doesn't mean we're bad people.

 Comment Written 21-Jun-2020


reply by the author on 23-Jun-2020
    Hello Friend!
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and thoughtful review!
    So very pleased my words/experience resonated with you.

    Thank you!
    diane
Comment from RPSaxena
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello Mrs. KT,
Nice piece of Biographical Non-Fiction having lucid as well as perfectly matching the theme phraseology, enchanting flow throughout from the beginning to the end, and beautifully depicting the shades of Racial Discrimination through Son-Mom conversation.
Dialogues between the two and the paragraph "Could be...implode..." are particularly noteworthy.
Laudable Attempt!

 Comment Written 18-Jun-2020


reply by the author on 23-Jun-2020
    Hello RP!
    My apologies for such a late reply!
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and complimentary review!
    So pleased you enjoyed!

    Thank you!
    diane
reply by RPSaxena on 24-Jun-2020
    Mrs. KT, Most Welcome!
    With best wishes,
    ~ RP
Comment from Tsukuyomi969
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This really shows that bullying knows no gender or race, and that fear and insecurity affects us all. I'm glad you were such a good sport about this, and that Charlene was open minded enough to change. Love the necklace pic! Cheers.

 Comment Written 17-Jun-2020


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2020
    Hello!
    So pleased my words resonated with you!

    Thank you!
    dianee
Comment from Margaret Bednar
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow... and this is how it is done! One-hundred percent dialogue-driven and not one stilted or boring sentence or paragraph. I am impressed with the control you have of directing the narrative and back and forth of mother and daughter. The humor at the end is perfect. I bow to you :)

 Comment Written 16-Jun-2020


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2020
    Thank you, Margaret!
    I am honored by your exceptional rating and complimentary review.
    Have wanted to write about that incident for years - never imagining this would be how it would find itself on paper.
    So very pleased you enjoyed!

    Thank you so much!
    diane
reply by Margaret Bednar on 16-Jun-2020
    Well, narrative is so hard to keep interesting and I didn't sway from it at all - was totally engrossed.
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2020
    I was going to submit this for the Dialogue Only contest, but I felt there was too much narration/dialogue on my part. But you might enjoy "A Slice of Apple Pie." It's in my portfolio; it won a Dialogue Only site contest last year...
    Take Care!
    diane
reply by Margaret Bednar on 16-Jun-2020
    I'll check it out. I think you should have entered it into the contest!
reply by the author on 16-Jun-2020
    Aw, thanks, Margaret!
    I love writing dialogue. Perhaps there is another story waiting to be told... :)

    Take Care!
    diane
Comment from Tim Noble
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Very well written story with lots of good reasoning, as well as pointing out that it is not only whites who can make racist remarks. Indeed in Africa it is the whites who are discriminated against.

 Comment Written 16-Jun-2020


reply by the author on 17-Jun-2020
    Hello Tim!
    So pleased my words resonated with you!

    Thank you!
    diane