We are One

Several weeks ago I ran across a book entitled The Color Of Man, by Robert Cohen.  Prior to reading this book I must admit that my young heart was filled with hatred and resentment.  There were many times that I would be on the Internet and I'd come across  posts or comments blasting my race. They'd use foul words and statements filled with pure hatred toward an entire race, my race.  When I read these things I would feel a surge of anger and rage run through my body and erupt in my heart filling it with nothing but hate.  I was convinced that I hated them because they hated me.

After reading the book which only reminded me of things that I already knew, my eyes were open, the fog was cleared, and I could finally see. I was finally able to clearly see that my way of thinking was wrong.  I reminded myself that skin color is never a criteria to judge someone.  I realized that ignorance has no color and that a heart full of hatred would never feel the joys of love.  I realized that as a people we will not get anywhere if we don't stop hating, blaming, and alienating each other.  We are the same, of course there are difference among us but at our core we are the same.  Why not embrace the difference among all people instead of using them  as a way to prejudge and discriminate.  Everyday I remind myself that you can find good people in every shade and the same goes for the bad.  Of course I still see posts, videos, and messages all over the Internet filled with hatred toward a race but I no longer feel that rage surging through my body, I no longer feel hatred, I simple feel pity for the closed minded individuals that have such ignorant and unprecedented opinions and mindsets.

A couple of weeks after I read the book that changed my way of thinking I was over my brother's house.  We were siting in the living room with my uncle and my best friend watching t.v. when Angelina Jolie appeared on the screen.  I said, "She is so pretty", those four little words made my uncle so angry.  He began to call me stupid and pitiful and everything under the sun because "how dare I think that a white woman is beautiful".  Needless to say I was shocked and appalled.  He told me that deep down inside I wanted to be white and that I hated myself.  He said I straighten my hair to look more like them.  This argument went on for hours and hours.  I was defending myself and trying to get him to see things the way I see them.  WE ARE THE SAME. We just look different and different does not mean better or worse. Just different.  Beautiful people come in all shades, just like good and bad.  

After the argument was over I realized that he didn't hear anything that I said, he was convinced that I was defending them and that I hated myself.  I was completely disheartened, it was clear that WE have a long way to go.  By we I mean all people.  We have to realize that its our mindsets and mental states that are separating us -- not our skin color.  

Throughout the entire argument with my uncle and brother I was told that I was wishful thinking, that I wanted everyone to hold hands and sing, and that I was dreaming.  This may be so, I might be dreaming. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had the same dream and WE can make this dream come true.  I know that we have a long way to go and it seems almost impossible but it can be done.  We Are ONE.

 ((think about it))