another sensitive topic

Ok so one of my teams that I coach seems to have a small preoccupation with Judaism (did I spell that right)...that sounded completely wrong. I'll try it again: several kids are Jewish and it takes priority over soccer practice, and rightly so. I'm not complaining about it, I suppose my complaint is that it annoys me that I don't know more about the religion and the culture in general since there is still somewhat the attitude of "THOSE Jews" and it's not the most common topic if you know what I mean. Just an opinion folks, just an opinion. I'm actually trying to figure this thing out:

It appears that I am having to rearrange my practices and/or cancel due to upcoming Jewish Observances. But what are they?? What do they mean?? I've only heard of a couple of them so today I went online to research. Now at least I have some inkling of the significance of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I've posted about holidays before and how this would probably a public holiday in Trinidad. And again I have to say I do think that it gives an opportunity to get involved in knowing whats going on and finding out about other people's observances and what they mean, instead of each group doing their own thing.

So now my new "project" is to find out about Judaism, should be pretty easy...I have a bunch of 12-yr old girls who talk all the time that I can ask. I also just found out what Hebrew School is, maybe I'll ask the ones that go to that. Another thought: do they teach kids here about others' religious observances? Or is it some # amendment violation? :-/

Positive Discrimination

....as they say in other countries.

Is it normal for a college soccer team in New England to have probably 90% black (or maybe I should say non-caucasian, some of them are mixed) guys? Some people think not. One day one the sideline, I heard someone say "what is this? affirmative action?" And it was kinda funny in its own way but I really don't know these days if people are still truly sensitive to these things and whether they are offended. I know I'm not. My friends aren't. I make comments about white people; some of my closest friends are as white as they come, no big deal, I say to them "you damn white people!" And I'm as mixed as they come so I guess I have no say hehehe.

Now of course I don't consider myself naive but sometimes it strikes me when people are so race-sensitive. Once in the airport with a friend, I felt there were some strange glances and I had to ask her if she noticed. And I don't usually feel affected by these things but I had to wonder if people thought it strange to see a white person and a (relatively lol) black, let's say "coloured" person hanging about in the airport. I experienced that a bit on my Scandinavian trip as well but then that was different, I guess I looked "exotic". But this really shouldn't be happening at JFK airport.

Then the other thing is my sister-in-law. I'm telling her about soccer camp, coaching in general, my girls' teams I have now, and somewhere in there she often manages to ask "so it does have any black chil'ren?" I have never said anything to her about it, probably because I only think about it afterwards, but why ask that?? I don't even see that anymore. Does she want to know if black kids also play soccer here? If the opportunity is equal? If there is interest? Or if I only interact with white people? Am I being influenced by white people !?! ...GASP! I've gotta remember about this next time...

damn i gotta post more often...