2007-03-21

This article belongs to Off the Cuff column.


I dare you to do this. At least, try to do it just once this month: go to some 'event' either in your own city, town or village, or in a city, town or village nearby, unless you like to drive, then, who knows but you, right?


 


Okay. So you go to this 'event,' whatever it may be, as long as it is an actual 'event' that you would not normally go to.


    


I'll give you a few suggestions:


If you are a white guy with or without your squeeze (wife, lady-friend, live-in, whatever): go to an all Black church one Sunday (Or whenever there might be an 'event').


 


If you are a Black man: all of the above for you (although the names of the female may be different) also applies to you.



  • Don't worry: either place is a 'House of God' so, likely as not, you will not be killed.

 


Yeah, try that. But wear the clothes that you think they would find more 'accepting.' Without or without a dress suit, I mean: in many churches here in America, at this point in time, you may feel uncomfortable wearing dress suits. Either way: it doesn't matter, as long as you are, 'acceptable' in your appearance. Great. You want to do and be what is 'acceptable.' Be you, of course, but you now: you dress as 'they' would find more accepting than you would otherwise be. Ya follow?


 


That's just one suggestion of an 'event' that you might want to go to.  Feel free to choose your own type of 'event,' as long as it's an actual, 'event.'  Experience how the other half lives, ya know? 'Go 'slumming.'


 


Try going to a 'P.T.A.' (Parent Teacher's Association) meeting, even if you don't have children in that school. Or, go there even if you don't have children. It's 'an event.' Try it. Remember: you are being 'dared' to not 'do this,' rather, to 'try this.'


 


If you are only 18 years of age, but they state that you have to be 21, ask them 'why not?' And then ask them if you can at least 'see' what you are missing. It's an 'event' now; be honest. Don't fall for something other than what it is supposed to be. Going to a different club, barroom or eatery doesn't count. Those aren't 'events.'


 


It's up to you to give it a try. You can do it. I know you can. Meet someone new.


 


So, what's the idea? 


To see if you can do it and if you liked whatever 'event' it was and maybe see what you came away knowing. Share your thoughts and wisdom. Post a 'comment' and let me and any others know how it went. You can even consider it a 'triple-dog-dare,' if ya like.


 


I don't know what country you are living in, but that doesn't matter; this is a worldwide dare my friends.


 


Do you believe you can do this? Do you feel brave enough to at least, try doing it?


 


Have you read this far? Are you taking me seriously? Would you do this if an otherwise, 'famous person' suggested it to you?


 


This is a 'cultural' experiment.


 


There is an 'event' here in my hometown that I otherwise would not go to, not because I absolutely refuse to go, it's just something that I otherwise would not do. But I'm going to go there and try to be accepted. I know that I will learn something, and I don't think anyone would try to kill or harm me. I'm not going to go for that reason. We don't want to 'crash a party.' We want to be accepted.


 


So you and yours try it, and so will I, and let's post a comment. Okay? Okay.


 


Enjoy yourselves!


 


That's off the cuff. I'm John Deeds.