It's All About the Race

Well, it has been some time since I last posted and I have had some thoughts about race relations, or lack of tolerance thereof. In a recent newspaper article, it was written there was a lack of response to a symposium sponsored by the newspaper regarding race relations. It is a sad commentary to the public at large, but it did get the gray cells moving. Of those who attended, it appears a lot of understanding had come from the conversations. While the newspaper seemed disappointed the attendance was low, they could be commended for having the nerve to bring into the open a topic that is usually whispered in the privacy of our homes.

I have made many friends over the years. Some are still around and others have gone their separate ways. New friends replace the missing ones and life goes on. When thinking about friends the idea of race does not come to my mind. These folks are chosen for who they are. (See post on the Isle of Mauritius) We have similar thoughts. We have similar wants and needs. We want our children to have things better than we do. We all get hungry and bleed when we are cut. We have good times in our lives and times that are not so good. We appreciate music, good food, art and the litany can continue.

So why is it we cannot seem to get over the issue of race? Is there some hidden force that prevents us from seeing beyond our intimate circle of friends and family? What is so important to us that the issue of race will not take a back seat (so to say) to the other problems facing our society?

May the following be offered as a personal point-of-view to the preceding questions.

Race is important. Not just for one person or group but for each of us. We are identified by our skin color. We are identified by our belief system, our family and our friends. We are identified by traditions. These items make up whom we are. The Gestalt theory of being greater than the sum of our parts is a good analogy.

I have hair, nose, eyes, mouth, body, arms and legs, hands and feet, just like most of those reading this posting. I have aches and pains, get tired, sleep and eat. Sounds like a lot of you, doesn’t it? What you don’t know is my height, weight, eye color and hair color. Does it make any difference? I hope not.

What does make a difference is when someone asks that I give up my identity to placate another or a small group. It seems to be a bit one-sided. I am just as proud of my heritage as the next person is. I am interested in seeing the world from your point of view. There are things I will never experience for the simple reason of my race. How am I to understand your experience if you will not tell me? There are things I have experienced you may not get the chance to see or do. Go ahead, ask me.

I have a long way to go in my ability to accept people for who they are but thanks to the many friends I have had and do have and hope to make in the future they will show me what is good in me and also show me what is good IN THEM! Our goals are common. Let me keep my identity and enjoy what yours has to offer.