Andy Ross just came back from his work and he stopped by a grocery store to pick up some groceries when suddenly a woman mocked his appearance in front of her daughter.
Andy was apparently quite dirty after a long day in the woods but he never expected to hear a direct insult from a stranger so he figured that it was best to clarify and educate the mother and her daughter.
The incident began when Andy noticed the little girl staring at him at the grocery store but he did not give much thoughts about it until he overheard the mother whispering to her daughter while looking at him, “That is why you need to stay in school.”
He did not mind about the little girl staring at him since he thought that it was normal for young children to be curious when they see someone, especially when his shirt was covered with dirt.
However, the mother’s prejudice has got into Andy and soon, he had an interesting conversation with the mother and the daughter. Andy later wrote his experience on his Facebook to spread the message.
“So I had a very interesting “educational” conversation with a woman and her daughter today. As I entered the store before I got home, a little girl kept staring at me.
As they finished and headed towards the door, I hear her mom say quietly to the little girl “that is why you need to stay in school”. I figured this was a great time to educate this mother and her 7/8 year old daughter. The following is our conversation:
“First, I happen to be a very educated dirty man. I not only have a high school diploma, I also have a college degree and many medical certifications.
So assuming that I am uneducated because of my appearance is actually quite ignorant in itself.”
“Secondly, if you are telling your daughter to stay in school because I have tattoos up and down my arms, that will actually suppress her creativity and potentially hinder her imagination as she develops.
Again, contradictory to your point ma’am. I am proud of my tattoos and artwork that Forrest Bateman put on my body. It’s a representation of my pride in my country and my service over multiple combat tours as a special operations medic.
Thirdly, if you’re referring that statement to the hat (not featured) I’m wearing because it features an elk, you might not understand it.
I happen to co-own Evergreen State Outdoors and am proud to own an outdoors company and support my rights to hunt and responsibly be a gun owner.”
“Finally, I chose to work in a construction industry. I am proud to say that I am apart of building America and I enjoy my job everyday. I tried working a desk job when I got out of the service and it wasn’t for me.
I enjoy working with my hands and being outdoors. Subsequently, it comes with being dirty some days. I make good money, have benefits, and am able to provide for my family without issue.”
“So my appearance reflects nothing to do with my level of intelligence or pursuing a higher level of education.”
It was safe to say that the mother must be speechless after Andy’s educational explanation. Needless to say, Andy wrote that it is important to never judge someone based on their appearance and how important it is for a parent to set a good example for their children.
After all, prejudice is not inherent but first learned from the parents.
Credits: Andy Ross| Facebook
