I’ve spent all day with an internal struggle about the limits of my acceptance of other people. Probably a much too serious intro for a post about pancakes, but bear with me, you might have some insight I could really use.
I’ve always prided myself on being a person who is able to see people for who they are, in the context of their own culture and life experiences and find beauty, talent and value without the qualification and framework of my own situation.
Whether it be a trailer park in South Central Los Angeles, a cave in Morocco, or a bus bench in Greece I’ve always been able to do that. Easily.
But today I was challenge with a though: what about hateful, small-minded, bigoted people?
What about racists?
The homophobic?
Are those people I should love and keep in my life?
I had an interaction with someone who left me wondering about my assertion that I have the anthropological capacity to care about other people regardless of who they are, what their beliefs or culture dictates, without judgement.
Can I judge someone merely for judging others? Isn’t that the epitome of hypocritical?
Isn’t the greater definition of open-minded and open-hearted to love those who are a challenge to love? I do believe that there is good in everyone. But is it worth it to try to dig past the hate and anger of a racist or homophobic friend or family member, or is that level of toxicity a fundamental deal breaker?
If you have some insight, let me know. For now I will proceed with caution, because the bottom line is I want to love everyone. I don’t want anyone, or any group of people, to be designated as a group I should hate. Because hate just breeds more hate.
Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3 tbs brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 egg
- 1 1/4 cup milk (use coconut milk for dairy free, this is what I used)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup raisins (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- In a bowl add the flour, oats, salt, brown sugar, baking powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, mix until well combined. Make a well in the dry ingredients, add the milk, egg and vanilla, stir until just combined. Add the raisins and stir.
- Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat, coat with cooking spray.
- Drop about 1/4 cup of batter on the hot griddle. Cook until dry on the edges and bubbles start to form in the center. Flip and cook on the other side until cooked through, about 2 more minutes.
(Yield: 6-8 pancakes)
