I am a little gun shy about responding on this forum. I had resolved to never again make a posting. What bothered me the most was the accusation of being condescending. I have thought long about those charges. Nothing could be further from the truth. So I am trying to determine how I came across as condescending and as looking down my nose at others. I first looked at my content. If that was what was condescending, then I have no apology. Then I looked at my delivery. I used to teach nutrition education, teachers are sometimes not used to “sugar coating” their delivery. Do you stand up in a class room, and say “How dare you try to tell me what to do, buy”? I expected posters to say, I respectfully disagree with you and this is my take…… I also frequently am engaged in lively conversations with friends regarding issues much more controversial than Velveeta!! So I am used to expressing my opinion with folks who are not threatened by my views or my delivery. If I have offended some posters with my delivery, then I do apologize for that.
Even though I practice no religion, I come from a strong background of Quakers, or Friends, and that has influenced how I look at people. Quakers profoundly believe in TOLERANCE, education, pacifism, the inner light in people, respect for ALL people, regardless of color or any orientation they may have, helping the underdog, if you will. My ancestors helped slaves to escape on the Underground Railroad ( I am Caucasian, white) , my great great grandfather was a Quaker Indian Agent for 38 years, which was not easy considering his sympathies lay with the Indians and not with the fed. Govt., which was his employer. The point I am trying to make is that I do not look down on any one. I am very open minded, always looking to see what I can learn from others. To be honest, I was shocked at the anger that was directed toward me because I am not guilty of what I was accused. But, I am not sure that I understand the reason I was accused of being condescending.
And I cautiously approach this next paragraph. Before the negative response I read on this Velveeta thread, I was planning my next thread and put a nugget of its content in this thread. The nugget was the cost of convenience foods and I was not talking about the money cost. I detected a strong resistance to my “blasting” convenience foods. A couple of the more accepting responders actually touched on my concern, that of our health. I happen to believe that what we eat affects our health.
I had determined that this was not the forum for me, if Velveeta is considered semi controversial, and I am perceived as opening cans of worms. I like to open cans of worms, how else do we grow and learn?
Beth