i am a believer
i am an American
i am white-skinned
i am a college graduate
i am married, to one man
i work at home on the farm
i feed beef cattle to feed people
i am a home owner and land owner
i am conservative in my political views
are these statements provocative?
unacceptable, politically incorrect?
should i apologize to the world?
do we really believe in tolerance?
does diversity respect equally?
i want to listen and learn
i may disagree but that
does not mean i hate
yes, i am privileged
to love & be loved
to also bleed red
i thank God for
his blessings
every day;
you?
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. (Psalm 16:6)
a poem in my pocket 
Feb 20, 2019 @ 15:56:38
Lynn,
You asked some question in you “poem”.
(1) Are these statements provocative or politically incorrect? Odd question. Of course not. They are just statements you make about your self.
(2) Should I apologize to the world?
Oh, I get it. If you are talking about White guilt, of course not. I am against that too — very big issue among liberals. (BTW, I am not conservative either).
Should you apologize to your for being American. Well, not if you haven’t done something wrong. But sometimes we may apologize for those we work with or those we live with. The American government has lied and done many horrible things — so should you apologize, well only if you think it will ease your relationship with someone you are trying to get closer too perhaps.
The rest are obviously something that need no apology.
I agree that disagreeing does not mean hate.
And it is indeed a privilege to be loved but more of a duty to love.
Do I “thank God for his blessings everyday” , you asked saying “you”.
I don’t believe in any power in the sky or anywhere else that cares at all for humans and is all powerful (“God”), if there is, he/she is horribly cruel with all the terrible suffering he/she could stop (volcanos, title waves, children falling in a well, mines collapsing and much more). He/she could stop that easily without interfering with human free will. So no. There is not god-like-thing to thank. But do I try to maintain a thankful heart, yes, but you don’t need to have a god to do that.
And just for your information , I am a former born-again Evangelical Christian who use to imagine a god and prayed and was deeply thankful to my imagined being very often. I am now thankful that I am religion-free.
“are these statements provocative?
unacceptable, politically incorrect?
should i apologize to the world?”
All good questions. I agree with what I think I am reading in your poem: Privilege is a loaded word and manipulative.
Feb 20, 2019 @ 18:47:36
Thanks, Sabio, for your thoughtful response to my questions! Thanks for sharing your perspective on this.
I think we all believe in something because at heart we are religious beings…
Feb 20, 2019 @ 15:03:56
Straightforward and provocative, but coupled with a willingness to listen and consider other views. Oh, would that it always be universally so!
Feb 20, 2019 @ 15:34:14
Thanks, Bev! I hope I expressed this reasonably and with goodwill.
Feb 20, 2019 @ 14:37:27
I think that as long as we know the way we know it, and are willing to listen we can always overcome differences.
I have many of the same privileges, but to me they are also tied with duties… a double edged sword
Feb 20, 2019 @ 15:30:33
Yes, with privilege comes responsibility, i agree.
Feb 20, 2019 @ 13:06:50
I love the straight forwardness in this Lynn.
Feb 20, 2019 @ 13:26:41
Thanks, Linda.
Feb 20, 2019 @ 11:01:51
You are blessed indeed. If I am reincarnated I want to be like you except for the cattle thing 🙂
Feb 20, 2019 @ 11:21:38
Wow, Cressida, that’s quite a compliment 😀
Feb 20, 2019 @ 06:25:41
I love this!
Feb 20, 2019 @ 09:06:20
Thanks, Camie 🙂
Feb 20, 2019 @ 02:48:51
Well penned! I like how you shared your privileges in a straightforward manner. You tell us that it doesn’t have to be difficult just to acknowledge them. Thanks for participating, Lynn!
Feb 20, 2019 @ 09:05:18
Thanks, HA! I’m glad for the opportunity 🙂
Feb 20, 2019 @ 02:34:33
I’m with Grace on this one, Lynn.
Feb 19, 2019 @ 18:47:22
Wonderful !! Really well done!
😊😊
Feb 19, 2019 @ 19:00:15
Thank you, Jamie! I appreciate your comment 🙂
Feb 19, 2019 @ 19:22:31
My pleasure, Lynn !! 😊
Feb 19, 2019 @ 18:39:54
No need to apologize but rather respect each other’s views. I too want to listen and be more open to other’s situation, be more tolerant of other’s opinions and beliefs.
Feb 19, 2019 @ 19:01:22
Glad we agree, Grace…and okay for people to “agree to disagree” too.
Feb 20, 2019 @ 09:27:14
Agreed. In today’s political climate, respect seems to be in short supply.