Not long ago, Andy Ross bought things at the grocery store after working in Washington State, where he lived.
After about a minute, he noticed a girl staring at him. Andy was dirty after a long day’s work in the woods and did not think too much about it.
But then when they were about to leave the grocery store, the mother whispered to her daughter, “That’s why you should stay in school”.
It was clear that she implied Andy was a failure based on the first impression of his appearance.
Very quickly, the mother had good reasons to regret her words. Andy turned to Facebook and published a post in which he reveals his true identity and completely canceled the prejudices she had towards him.
Andy’s message is one we all need to read and remember. Continue scrolling down and reading this powerful and surprising post:
“So I had a very interesting and educational conversation with a woman and her daughter today. When I went into the store before I went home, a little girl kept staring at me, and I know kids are curious when they see someone, especially someone as dirty as I was.
When I was about to leave they were in front of me. The little girl was still staring, and her mother told her to stop staring. When they finished and started walking toward the exit, I heard her mother say quietly to the girl, ‘That’s why you have to stay in school’. I thought it was a great time to educate the mother and her 7 or 8 year old daughter. This was our conversation:
“First of all, I happen to be a very dirty academic, I have not only a high school diploma, but also a bachelor’s degree and many medical certificates.
So to assume that I did not learn because of my appearance is actually ignorance in itself”.
“Second, if you tell your daughter to stay in school because I have tattoos on the arms, it will actually suppress her creativity and perhaps hide her imagination as she develops.
Again, this contradicts your point, Madam. I’m proud of my tattoos and the art work that Forrest Bateman put on my body. It represents my pride in my country and my service in the army as a combat medic”.
“Third, if you think the hat I was wearing was of a canadian deer, maybe you will not get it, I happen to be a joint owner of Evergreen State Outdoors and I am proud to support my rights to use weapons responsibly.
Last but not least, I chose to work in the building industry. I am proud to say that I am part of building the country and enjoy my work every day. I tried to do office work when I was discharged from the army, but it was not for me. I like working with my hands and being outside. As a result, sometimes I get dirty. I earn well, I have benefits, and I support my family well.
So my appearance does not reflect anything about my level of intelligence or my academic level”.