a scary experience

[mandodon]

Hate to bring anybody down with this, but I have to vent.

I was playing a gig tonight, a payed gig for a group of folks commemorating Reagan's funeral, no less. Anyway, I am proud to say that I am a Catholic, and carry my old grandmas rosary wherever I go. Anyway, as we're setting up my rosary falls out of my pocket, and as I'm picking it up, the host of the gig, who was pretty drunk, kicked us all out because he didn't know we were "those types", even though I am the only Catholic in our little band. I thought this stuff was things in the past. I'm sure this is just a freak experience as I've lived in my community a long time, but it really shocked me!

[doanepoole]

mandodon, I am sorry you experienced this. I too am a Catholic and in the past, though very rarely, have heard some comments at festivals and such that were derogatory towards our religion. Just dismiss it as ignorance and move on. These type of people are a dying breed.

[pathfinder]

It takes all kinds to make a world. #I suspect the booze was doing the talking, and he'll probably regret it tomorrow when his colleagues remind him that his conduct did very little to honour the memory of Ronald Reagan. Shrug it off.

[jlb]

sorry to hear about this bad experience, indeed. it is certainly more telling of the individual who made the remark than it is about you. try to put it in a perspective, i suppose, and pray for the man rather than get too angry about it. life moves forward despite some folks efforts to push the clock back.

[WaywardFiddler]

Some people just haven't heard the message of tolerance yet, I guess. It certainly stings when this kind of prejudice is directed at you, though. Just remember, you are not the one with a problem. He has a problem.

[Pattroglyph]

Awful!
As a young man, our former president would have punched the guy in the nose in support of you. The short time I watched people pass in front of the casket to honor him.... many, MANY crossed themselves. I also have watched portions of several movies he was in that show open warmness towards the faith. You did the best thing to do which is leave without hesitation. My self defense lessons and friends in the services would tell you that. This sad person will be shouldering the quiet but nasty backlash to his behavior without you having to do anything that's for sure. Please, in the mean time, do not feel wrong about venting. We're with you and we're glad you posted.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

Ignorance and stupidity know no demographic.

You did right by packing up and leaving. #Don't ever go back. #But don't forget either that the vast majority of people in the world are at the very least tolerant and more likely accepting than bigoted.

I'm sure another great American who passed away today, Ray Charles (Robinson), had met a lilfetime's worth of prejudice and managed to make some great American music. #If you need a pick-me-up after an episode like yours, look no further than Brother Ray.

Thinking "It should ahve been me/With that real fine chick/Yes it should have been me/With that real fine chick/It should have been me/Drivin' that Cadillac!" #
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif # Daniel

[cbdds]

mandodon,
As a fellow rosary toting, mandolin picking, proud Catholic, I have only a few words of consolation. Sirach 2:1 "My son, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials." Remember the "guy" you are following got kicked out of a few "gigs" too!! At least they didn't try to stone you. Keep on pickin' and keep on praying.

God bless,
Chuck Bernard

[JGWoods]

Too bad. The guy missed what would have been a good concert.
Our president got the honor he deserves- a "well done my good and faithful servant" when he entered into his heavenly home.
keep pickin'
gw

[jim simpson]

"...at least they didn't try to stone you.." Too bad the host was!

[ethanopia]

Wow that is bizzarre I can't believe that. I went to a catholic Elementary school but grew up attending the Presbyterian church in my town. I got a little flack from the other kids becasue I WASN'T Catholic...at any rate it can go both ways. But I can't imagine the that he kicked you out, how strange, sorry to hear about it.

[John Flynn]

You want to vent? I have to believe the media would find that a newsworthy item. "Catholics Kicked out of Reagan Commemoration," would be just the kind of headline that sells papers. It would serve that guy right to see that in his morning paper. I am a practicing Catholic and I strong believer that while the media creates a lot of wrongs, it can and should be used to right them when that is possible. Drunk or not, the guy in question is a bigot, and he likely carries that bigotry into everything he does every day. He needs to be confronted.

[cutbait2]

maybe he meant he didn't realize you were BG pickers, it doesn't seem like anyone holding a wake for old Dutch would mind a catholic in the band given Mr Reagans roots

[Tom C]

That's almost unbelievable. Who hired you? an organization that has a name? If so, write about it to local local paper.Small claims court could be an option if not to get $ but to inconvenience the host.

[straight-a]

It's really sad when folks (the drunken host) let personal beliefs interfere with the enjoyment of music. Oh well, stupid is as stupid does.

[John Rosett]

i'm assuming that this was a paying gig. did you have a contract? did you get paid, even if you didn't play? forget small claims court, have a lawyer send this idiot a letter demanding full payment immediately.
if it were me, i would do whatever i could to embarrass this person publicly. if we don't stand up to bigots and let them know that their behavior is unacceptable, we are encouraging them to keep doing it.
john

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

I agree with mandorose. If you didn't get your money get it and make a call to the local paper. The truth is i don't know if I could have kept my cool in a situation like that. I praise you for your keeping a cool head.

[Jeff Merrell]

I don't think vengence is the right response. I would just chalk it up to a
bad experience and move on. He's probably paying for it today with a good
hangover.

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

Sadly this stuff goes on... and always will because...

1) Fundamental human nature never changes and probably never will...

2) Humans never learn from history because we only really "know" what we experience directly.

3) We always use the excuse that "everything is different now" ignoring number 1 above and following almost entirely number 2 above and so history repeats itself.

I think all one can really do is "turn the other cheek" and my hope is in "educate the young and outlive the rest" and even that may not work... I'm sorry for what happened to you - it shouldn't but...

I'm not a card carrying Catholic - in fact I used to get kicked outta Methodist Sunday School cause I just wanted to go fishing but when your fishin you do have time to think... (time warp involved)

On a mando related note what were you all going to play?

Take Care! -Ed-

[Greenmando]

Maybe he thought he seen a b**jo

[mandodon]

Thank you for all of your support. I relayed this story to my wife this morning, who reminded me that Jesus told his disciples to go from town to town, and anywhere they were not wanted, to shake the dust of the town from their feet and move on. I'm not trying to bombard anyone with religion, but I see a parallel here, so I'll listen to what the big guy said.

It was a private party, and to be honest, I don't want a dime of this man's money. I wrote andf mailed the gentleman a letter this morning explaining that I will pray that he will be shown how to tolerate those not like himself.


To answer a question we had had a set of some slow, peaceful instrumentals, all original stuff that our band leader, a fiddle player, has composed over the years for use for post-funeral receptions and other more somber events.

Hope everyone is having a great day, and thanks again for the support.

[lownote]

wwjd

[jamesrenz]

You can probably trace these issues back to the Olduvai Gorge.

[ira]

as a jew, i have experienced this issue countless times in my life. it is incredible that as far as we have come in this world, that folks are still hurtful in the name of God about how others pray.

peace brother.

[JimD]

Sorry to hear about this. Always sorry but never surprised anymore...

Recently one of my students (in a Northeastern conservatory) stayed after Counterpoint class to ask about my other work. He said that he heard that I am also music director at a church in the area and asked "which denomination?" I replied that it is a Unitarian-Universalist church. He said, "Oh that's a cult--like Quakers"

People often fear what they don't understand. The most ignorant among us turn that fear into prejudice.

Don't let that kind of person get you down.

[ira]

as a jew, i have experienced this, unfortunately countless times. it is amazing that in this day and age, that people still hate in the name of God, based on how others pray.

ignorance, sadly, will always be with us. remember that most of us are more tolerant of differences.

peace brother

[Peakbagr]

You sure he didn't think you were taking a b**jo out of its case?

[London Al]

Hi Mandodon
Just sending some support over from London England
I live in one of the most culturally diverse neighbourhoods in the World, I kid you not there are over 400 different languages spoken in North London. At the end of my street there are three Churches of different denominations , and a Mosque. Our corner shop is run by two gay Afghans and the guy who runs the local Kung fu club is half Greek and half Irish. I'm just trying to give you some comfort in the fact there are parts of the World where your experience with that fascist, bigoted moron would be unimaginable.
Whatever your race or creed you've got every right to be shocked and "vent off" about being treated like that.
sincerely Al

[London Al]

Further to my post on this thread though, if you're gonna accept a gig for a Reagan memorial, what do you expect in the audience ? Liberals?
Y'know next time, tell em you're busy.
Al

[Staramouche]

Whoa---Your Rosary hit the ground? You're lucky the guy wasn't a nun 'cuz it's hard to play with bruised knukles!

Forgive him, he knows not what he does.