From the outside, the Amish in one community might all appear the same, and it appears to be a loving, accepting, forgiving environment.
Being a part of the Amish it looks quite different. Everyone is aware that not everyone is the same, and so far every community I have ever lived in had underlings.
Underlings weren't well accepted by the rest of the community. Their opinions counted for nothing, and it seemed no matter how much they tried they weren't well accepted and would often be in some kind of trouble simply because of who they were, and the family name they carried.
It was hard for the children from an underling family to find someone to court and marry. The family name was hard to shake, no matter how sweet or upstanding they were. Unless they moved to a community where their underling reputation was unknown they were fated to have a more miserable life
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What a painful existence those poor people have!! I can only imagine.
ReplyDeleteI think that's probably true in any society - your family's reputation becomes your own, for better or worse. Of course, in the "English" world, moving away to become your own person is a lot easier that it probably is in the Amish world.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. Just like what they called the outcasts in some tribes in Nigeria. They are considered to be descendants from slaves.
ReplyDeleteI guess this is another case of the sins of the fathers etc. It does seem hard on the children of the family though.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I did not know. How sad. Family heritage-good or bad, is hard to leave behind.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Finding out the Amish are " real people " too. You were correct in saying the " English " have an overly romanticized view of the Amish lifestyle. It isn't quite the utopian experience I/ we imagine.
ReplyDeleteA shame and yet, very human. Thank you for this glimpse into the Amish world.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing journey you have been on. Learning about the Amish is something I find intriguing and certainly reflective of our most basic natures as humans. So sad that regardless of the culture in which we live, there are always those who have been treated as less worthy or less appreciated.
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