A Letter to Rachel Jeantel - An Apology on Behalf of the Whole World

[K Gardner]

23. Love your heart for what you do, and try to do every day. As an ER nurse, I

am fortunate enough to have been exposed to every possible culture across many different states; and count myself lucky to have learned to understand and speak bits and pieces of different languages; to have the opportunity to delve deeply into the parts of other cultures many do not get to see - how people deal with death, dying, fear, and authority, on what is usually the worst day in their lives.

When I see nurses or medical professionals around me making fun of, or referring to people as "illegals", or refusing to even TRY to learn enough Spanish to triage a patient.. it infuriates me. I've been infuriated for two days now, watching the Breaking Bad Mr. White Look-Alike so casually poking at her, pretending not to understand; and the media and twitterverse expounding on her in mean and cruel ways. What does a perfectly-coiffed bleached blond MSNBC law commentator REALLY have to tell us about Rachel Jeantel? More to the point, what does Rachel Jeantel have to tell us about ourselves?

As someone said above (Beyond Geography, I think) - to have this stunning example of a racial and educational and cultural divide come just 2 days after the Supreme Court ruling is fairly astounding.

I'm on a tear, as well, and I also feel bad for Rachel.