A funny story has it that in 1926 Thelma Goldstein from Chicago
treated herself to her first real vacation in Florida. Unfamiliar with
the area, she wandered into a "restricted" hotel in north Miami.
Getting the attention of the manager, she said, "Excuse me, but my
name is Mrs. Goldstein and I'd like a small room for two weeks."
"I'm awfully sorry," he replied, "but all our rooms are occupied."
Just then a man came down the stairs and checked out.
"What luck!" Mrs. Goldstein smiled. "Now there's a room."
"I'm sorry ma'am, but there are no rooms available. This hotel is
restricted. No Jews allowed."
"Jewish? Who's Jewish? I happen to be Catholic."
"I find that hard to believe, Mrs. Goldstein. Let me ask you, who was
the son of God?"
"Jesus," she answered.
"Where was he born?" he man continued.
"In a stable."
"And why was he born in a stable?"
"Because a schmuck like you wouldn't let a Jew rent a room in his
hotel!"
Poet Carl Sandburg was speaking in Hendersonville, North Carolina,
when he was asked an unusual question: "What is the ugliest word in
the English language?" How would you answer that question? Sandburg
struggled for a moment. "The ugliest, ugliest word?"
"The ugliest word," he finally answered, "is `exclusive.'"
I think he is right. A group that is exclusive includes some people
and shuts out others. Its doors are open only to a few. It separates
people into favorable and less favorable categories. It differentiates
between "our kind" and "those others."
If "exclusive" is the ugliest word in the language, would "inclusive"
be the loveliest? Is the loveliest thought one that shuts out nobody?
The loveliest act one that brings in everybody? The loveliest place
one where we all belong?
If so, then the loveliest world is one that includes all of us...
fully... no exceptions. And THAT...is a beautiful thought.
From Lifesupport
Lifesigns Life Quotes
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