Remember the purple house blog?
Well, the owner of the purple house stumbled on my blog post. Her story brings tears to my eyes, and inspiration to write another children's book based on her story! This blog post ends with an apology to the owner. I need to clarify my original blog and its intentions. And I want to honor the owner of the purple house.
Hello Renee:Amy, I have to say, I love your purple house. It brings me joy. I am sorry that my blog post came across as an insult. Please forgive me. Also, please forgive me if you felt at all exploited or judged. When I first saw your house, I just smiled and wanted to meet the owner and discover the beautiful family that lived there.
I am the woman in the picture who lives in the purple house. We lived in this house for 13 years before we decided to paint it purple. At this point we've been long time members of the community. We have volunteered in many aspects of our community. My husband was a Cub Scout leader, he helped rebuild the local playground, I have volunteered at the schools and have always helped my many friends in the community when they were in need. When I was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago, my friends and neighbors in this little town were my lifeline. Some love the purple, some don't... it's just a color and we still have free speech in this country. I watch over my elderly neighbors. People frequently stop to talk to me when I'm out in the garden, asking for directions or saying how much joy my house and garden gives them. For you to insinuate they we are not good and upstanding members of our community is incorrect and insulting. Something tells me you might judge a person by the color of his/her skin versus what is inside. If you read the article, my neighbors (now 88) are fine with it and very fond of me. They worried about me with my cancer and I worry about them because they are 88 and talk to them on their porch all summer. I checked with the Town before I painted the house. I have attended many Town Council meetings on other matters. It is a sad day when the color purple makes people judge you. I have taught my children to be free to express themselves, and to be good neighbors and members of this community in which I have loved for 16 years. I didn't realize when we painted the house I'd be teaching them courage to stand up to the insults and ridicule of others. That has been a bonus. ~Amy Olson
The person who was in the car with me, a real estate agent, shared those thoughts, and honestly, though I should have said so on my blog (I normally prefer to allow people to respond), I thought it was an appalling judgment as well. Having grown up in a happy, bright yellow house, color just inspires creativity.
I think it's sick that potential owners of a house will judge the neighborhood by the color of (fill in blank). I think it's sad that people are scared away by bold self-expression or being "different" or non-conformist. Our morally relative, don't-make-waves society praises lukewarm blandness. I hope we each challenge ourselves to rise above that; we are individuals, and our country allows it (in itself beautiful), and yet something in our culture wants to supress that.
What a happy thing that your neighbors enjoy your house an its color. Isn't it a beautiful thing when a community builds relationships, works on them over the years, and finds unity and support through shared concerns and shared challenges?
No comments:
Post a Comment