She taught me to sew, to vacuum, to sort laundry, write a check, pay a bill, and had me behind the wheel of a car at 13. She knew.
One of the things she tried to instill in me, and with quite a bit of success I've always felt, was to know people. To be able to discern early on in any interaction just exactly who I am dealing with.
"Doc", she said,"You're going to run across all kinds of people in your life. Some good, some not so good, and some will be just...well son, they're called white trash. It's not a very nice term but it's accurate. They're trash, they're definitely disposable. If you stay out of the South you'll likely avoid most of them, but they're pretty much everywhere. Now, they'll be easy to spot. One of the first things they'll do is to use the "n" word. It's as though they assume that it's an unspoken white person thing, that we all do it, and that it's really ok. You now it's not, and remember that anyone who does use it is telling you up front they're low class."
"One of the other things they'll do, son, when you push their buttons, and their buttons are easily pushed, will be to tell you how tough they are. Don't worry about that either. Trash is almost always nothing but talk. They're just like a bully, can't shut their mouths, unless they're afraid.And you were taught to always stand up to a bully, don't forget that...ever. It's cowardice is all it is, don't let it put you off. But the most important thing you have to remember is that it's largely not their fault. They're just born that way, and they can't help it. You'll decide early on that you don't really want anything to do with their smelly ilk and that's ok."
What she was really saying here to a child who couldn't yet understand is that you know real quick that you wouldn't piss in their mouths if their teeth were on fire.
"But what's most important is that you take the high road son. Don't get involved with those dirt floor crackers. It's surely never worth a minute of the aggravation. They're only friendly when they want something, and if they think you can't or won't give it to them, they'll turn on you as quick as they can. That's the true sign you're dealing with a senseless and simple minded creature. Just remember how important it is to take the high road, it makes you the better person."
As if THAT weren't a foregone conclusion.
It's amazing how right she was, and that today brought that conversation back to mind.
But on to more pleasant matters and leaving the crackers where they belong.
Nascar season is gearing up, so Jeff Gordon will be a lot more visible...thank GOD!
Personally, I could watch Jeff Gordon go around in circles for hours car or no.
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