Matters of Grey a.k.a. Episode 2

"I can only offer my ignorance...and be relieved by the growth of people"
- Rose Wurgel, Black.White

Ignorance is defined as the condition of being uneducated, unaware or uninformed.

This definition of ignorance applies to each one of us. As educated as I am, I don't know everything about everything. (Yes, I know it's shocking, but it's true.) I try to open myself up to people who can educate me in the areas of my ignorance. My friend who is working on her PhD in Biochemistry constantly informs me about the ins and outs of proteins & stuff. She lives and works in a city where she is surrounded by people of all ethnicities & nationalities, so she is able to share some of what she learns about these people's cultures. The Coolsteins share themselves with me so that I can continue to learn about the Jewish religion and the traditions that go along with it. Afro-Creole medicine woman is always able to drop some knowledge in the realm of spirituality. I spend a shameful amount of time reading news related blogs since I have no tolerance for television news.

The Wurgel family (Black.White) also embodies this definition. It seems that Bruno is unaware of any social norms that dictate how to speak to strangers. To prove his point that racism doesn't exist, he disrespected a young barmaid by asking her to describe the sexual prowess of the Black man she once dated. Turns out Carmen isn't aware that strangers don't like to be called creatures or asked whether or not they are gay. She's also unaware that "bitch" is not an affectionate term used among acquaintances. I would like to say that Carmen & Bruno are taking full advantage of the opportunity to learn about another culture...and perhaps after tonight's episode I'll be able to. But as of now, they are content to stay ignorant.

There is an exception to the not so nice picture that I paint of the Wurgels - Rose. Since the first time she opened her mouth to speak, I have been impressed with her. She gets it. She will never be anybody but who she is. She gets that there is no formula for acting black (or white). She gets that she has been given an opportunity to become less ignorant. Not less white, not more black - less uninformed, less uneducated, less unaware. And she is embracing it. I applaud Rose for her honesty. Hopefully her housemates will learn from her.

I wish that I could speak to the ignorance (or lack thereof) of the Sparks family. Unfortunately, there has not been much real action with them. For the most part, the adults have been reacting to the Wurgels and the other whites in the community they are living in. Nick has certainly shown some signs of indifference. He refuses to speak without mumbling and using poor grammar. I would like to say that it's because he's a teenager, but I suspect that his parents have not emphasized the need for him to be bilingual. (Nor have they pointed out that NOW is the time to use the other language.) I'm guessing that tonight's episode will give us more insight into his world.

And in case you didn't hear her the first time...

with matters of grey
there's no one word in fact i can't even really speak about it
don't get me wrong because i talk all the time
i'm a talker by nature but
when it comes to black and white
it all turns grey

i can only offer my ignorance
these are the words of a girl who has attempted listening to another side
hoping that the
d i v i d e
is slighter than expected

and that i will be relieved by the growth of people

if color means so much

anyway

then why can't we get it straight

- Rose