Diversity?

Just sitting here watching crap on TV. Australia summer TV is deplorable at the best of times. but new years day?

Anyways, came across an old episode The New Adventures of Old Christine. Now I don't mind this show. it has a few laughs, and being a big Seinfeld fan, I've had a bit of a "thing" for Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Well this particular episode was the first episode of the 2nd season and happened to be the introduction of Blair Underwood as a semi regular cast member as Christine's youngest son's teacher. Now Blair would generally be considered an attractive man, and this of course was highlighted by the mums staring open mouthed at him. 

What struck me as odd was a comment made by one of the mothers.

"Wow. I never knew diversity could be so attractive"

Wow - I never knew bigotry could be so sugar coated.

I'm sure the scriptwriters weren't trying to be - but come on!

Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Am I? I just heard it and it slapped me as a crude cheap line. First it smacked of finding someone attractive DESPITE their race/colour/etc... and secondly, to me it raised the whole we have to employ someone of a particular race.

I have worked in a number of large organisations and one of them in particular was a very global organisation so I was constantly working with people of all races/colour/religions and honestly you just didn't think about it. It's just not an issue. The best (hopefully) person was chosen for the job and that's all that mattered. I am aware that there are political pressures to employ people of a particular group as they tend to be under-represented, but still in this sitcom the line still seemed wrong.

Am I over-reacting? Please let me know.

Your child wants a tattoo.

I have a couple of tattoos. The first I got when I was around 19. My oldest is 20, next is 17, nearly 18. At the moment neither seems inclined to get a tattoo. but what if they do?

I'm completely fine with that.

That's right. I am okay with the thought of my children getting tattoos. I suppose it seems obvious given that I have my own.

I wont lie to them. I'll tell them how much it hurts, how it's PERMANENT. I'll encourage them to really think about what they are getting. Facial tattoos can be a huge deterrent as they seek long term employment. 

I'll also be counselling against getting the name of a loved one. Tattoos are very permanent - relationships less so.

My sister also has numerous tattoos, and when she was younger she seemed to have her head on her shoulders correctly as the tattoos she got were all able to be hidden, meaning it did not affect her employment opportunities. Important as she ended up working for Disney and they had a strict policy regarding visible tattoos.

Supergirl is only 3 now, so have quite a few years before that conversation happens.

Chill out people and hope you have a wonderful 2013