<i>I’m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician, or a gay politic...

Jefferey Cave - 2017-06-03 09:59:49-0400 - Updated: 2017-06-03 10:03:03-0400

I’m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician, or a gay politician, for that matter. It’s just part of who I am. It doesn’t define me. It is part of my character, I suppose.

-Leo Varadkar

(In response to international attention on his sexuality, rather than his policies)

Jefferey Cave - 2017-06-03 14:56:27-0400 - Updated: 2017-06-03 21:06:12-0400

Many years ago, I was out having a smoke between lectures, and several of my students joined me. The topic of discussion was to thank me for taking the extra time to help students of their racial makeup (basically they were sucking up).

The particular student that made the statement really pissed me off with that statement: I had offered her extra help because she was diligent, hard working, and polite. She did herself an incredible disservice by associating the help with her race.

So I spun on her, looked her square in the eyes, and sternly stated: "I don't give a shit what you are, only who you are."

Interestingly, attendance went up shortly after.