I do not think of myself as particularly smart, I really don't. However there are times where the words of others makes me wonder about human intelligence. I know people often say there are no stupid questions but I very much disagree.
Joined an orientation last night for an organization that is volunteer run for connecting pen-pals between incarcerated people and outside people. If you have any interest in such an activity please check them out, they are called Letters for Liberation and the guy doing the presentation said there are a lot more inside people wanting pen-pals than outside people willing to do it.
Which I'm not sure I should complain now that I've identified the organization but I will anyway. So the host kept talking about how people aren't disposable and that inside people will have different lived experiences and that they try not to make generalizations because again they are people who are individuals. I am glad I had my camera off because I'm sure I was making faces. Like I was thinking yeah of course, we aren't second graders, I've know people are individual people my whole life, I mean my own siblings have a vastly different lived experience than I do so why would anyone assume that all incarcerated people are the same when no one is, ever.
Apparently no, we are second graders. The host was talking about in the first letter to tell them a bit about yourself and your hobbies and ask them about theirs. Host was saying when he gets a new pen pal he tells them about the books he's reading and if they like to read. So an excellent example from his experience. No way to misunderstand right? Wrong! A lady asks "Well do they all read?" Host was like well they are at least reading some, our organization was listed in resource guides a few years ago and even though we are not actively promoting at all we still get people writing in requesting pen pals. She follows up with "No I meant do they all read books? You said you ask about books." Lady those are his hobbies that is trying to use to connect with someone. Also how in the world are they supposed to be able to tell you if they all read? That is a question you would ask your pen-pal if you get one. Like that is such a stupid question to me, it wouldn't be stupid to ask the pen-pal but to ask the organization if ALL the people wanting pen-pals read books is ridiculous, they are all individual people like what? Host is trying to be like well you would have to ask them but most seem to read something whether that's books, comic, magazines, or new articles.
So we move on and at the end same lady has another question. It is so absurd. She asked "How long do these relationships last?" You mean a relationship between YOU who the organization really doesn't know and another individual who the organization really doesn't know. You want them to be able to figure out a formula to what? Like you don't know how long any relationship will last. When you make friend anywhere you don't know how long the relationship will last. They could want to continue writing after they've been released, they could die, you could die, either one of you could decide the other person is not the right vibe or is annoying or frustrating. I mean there is absolutely no way at all for them to answer that question. Host was trying to kinda explain that and she's like well are you saying that it could be 20 years? Host was like I guess. Her"So it's a long term thing?" Ma'am please use the brain that is in your head. Why would it not be? Why would sign up to potentially be a pen-pal with someone if you are wanting what like 2 letters, I just, it's so so so baffling to me. These questions are mostly unanswerable and make no sense.
Like am I just to judgemental or what?
But please do check out Letters for Liberation if you at all think it might be something you'd be interested in doing. You fill out a basic form and do an orientation and after the orientation you can decide how involved you want to be or if you don't want to.