Lifestyles not all the same

Ever try to educate someone about something they had the same misconceptions as the public? I'm not always a nice guy and I don't hide this fact. I am very opinionated and very outspoken, although I do not push my thoughts and beliefs on others because I do not like others doing it to me. I don't know everything, nor do I claim it as I do. I am judgmental. No one said its a good thing to do, but isn't human nature after all? Isn't this the same brain activity that creates prejudice? After an interesting experience today, this really made me think. Why do most accept the ignorance that is told to them as their own? Not everything fits under this, but to judge a person or a group of people based on looks or lifestyle is just silly. If you do not yourself look that way or live that lifestyle. You only know of it what your tiny brain has sponged up from others or even possibly what the media pushes upon others. The media lives by the constitutional right of freedom of speech, but have they taken it to far? I believe so. You can not always believe what you hear without knowing all the facts. In most cases it is the ignorance and closed mindedness that put hurt in the world.

As I said I had quite an experience today. Not particularly a good experience, other then learning from the situation and quickly stepping away. Not to avoid or run, but rather to separate myself from this ignorance. I can tell you that I am close minded in many ways. Although I do try to give the benefit of the doubt. But fortunately I do not see the ignorance in my existence. An ex girlfriend and long time friend had a conversation that got a bit heated on both of our parts. She was judging my brothers and sisters of my club. I automatically got in the defensive mode, which is really never a good start. She was not just saying she doesn't like it but she was pushing her opinion and beliefs about them on me, even tho she has never even seen or met them. I further explained this to her and it escalated. She claimed freedom of speech. At this point I was more then quite annoyed and frustrated so I told her to keep her mouth shut if she has nothing good to say about them to me. My words were very rude and stern. Not the best thing I could have said. The club is my extended family, and is part of who I am, so of course I am going to take it very personal. To make a long story short these are the last words we had (thru online work chat):

Her: they are not family , i guarantee you did something to piss them off, they'd shoot your ass faster than you can say sorry, but if it happens, let me know so i can say i told you so
Her: I'm done.
Me: Just the ignorance most of the general public has. Done, I doubt you will ever be, but I sure as hell am.
Me: You can take your close mindedness and keep it to yourself far away from me.

This is exactly what I really expected she was thinking. Too many people think this same way, even tho they really have no idea. I agree that the MC lifestyle is much different, but please do not shun us for what or who we are. We live as we should. We are not the types that the public thinks we are. This kind of thinking only puts fear into others, when there is no reason to fear. We are not criminals, we are not thugs, we are hard working individuals who are motorcycle enthusiasts and love to be around those that enjoy the same.