Political Correctness

I got one of those heart-rending Christian "forwards" in my email box today, from a dear friend and former colleague, Ashwin. You know the type. They are the stories that seem like they could be true but are actually fiction, designed to inspire you to greater heights of faith. Or, some just make you cry. Many of them end with "Send this to five friends if you love Jesus. If you don't, just delete it." THAT kind! The one that Ashwin sent today wasn't as obnoxious as most. It actually had a message. I was really touched.

But you know, it wasn't the message that touched me. It was the sender. Ashwin is a naturalized American citizen of 20 or 30 years, having been born and raised in India. When he first came to America, he saw water coolers at the airport and had no clue what they were. He drove a taxi for awhile, then got his teaching credentials and became a teacher of science and high-level mathematics in Buffalo, NY, before coming to Indiana to teach. He was a well-respected "institution" at Monrovia High School for many years before he retired awhile back.

The interesting part is that Ashwin isn't Christian. He is Hindu. Someone sent that Christian "forward" to him. He could have taken offense, but he didn't. Instead, he forwarded the story to me (and others) because he knows that we ARE Christian, and in so doing, was wishing us the best for "our" faith and traditions. I honor him for that!

I have never once sent Ashwin a greeting for Hindu holy days or traditions. Why? Well...he doesn't exactly live in a country rife with information about Hindu culture/religion. And I, in my typical American elitist ignorance, know very little about his faith.

There are those who are big on "political correctness" in this great country of ours--mine and Ashwin's--and I am one of them; however, we could take a lesson from this quiet man. Respect for others sometimes means doing "as the Romans do". Thank you, Ashwin. It means a lot to me that you cared enough to send that message!