Have you ever pondered the checkbox on questionnaires that ask your race? I honestly don’t get why this is a seemingly important piece of information. It has always been odd to me that we can become so divided by something as incredibly superficial as our physical characteristics. I think they should be treasured not used for statistical data.
I have a dear friend whose pigment is a beautiful rich chocolate brown. There are days I so covet her skin. Even though she’s my age it takes a magnifier to find one trace of a wrinkle, not so on this old pale face. And when we’ve both not slept for days I look (as my great grandma would say) as if “I’ve been drug in by a cat”, she on the other hand beams that beautiful smile and looks “fresh as a daisy”. But in our deepest conversations she pines over her changing season of life. Has she fulfilled her purpose looking back at where she’s been then contemplates what lies ahead?
There is a precious young Vietnamese girl at my nail salon that has the most beautiful delicate features. I love to look at her face as she does my nails. Good thing we’re friends that chat the entire time or she might find me crazy. Her beauty is so exquisite I simply can’t imagine a young man not being enamored with her. Yet she pines about her love life and the pool of young men she has to choose from like every other young female her age.
My long time American Indian friend whose skin tones are so smooth and has cheekbones that are wonderfully high. Actresses in Hollywood pay big bucks to plastic surgeons to receive the same effect. Having a child in the military that she misses so much and each day prays for his safe return. As every mother does she wants her child to follow his heart and purpose. Yet knowing the course he has chosen she would love to be able to still protect him from the any harm that may befall although she can’t.
So you see, we really are so much alike, our worries, needs, fears, joys, loves and heartbreaks. We all love and need to be loved; we treasure our relationships, seeking our purpose as we share our life journey.
A few years ago I made a decision that I would begin my own personal crusade for the ending the division based upon something so insignificant. Whenever asked what race I am I write in human. I go to the check box that says other then add the words human. That is what I am, indeed that is what we all are. The less we have to divide the more opportunity we have to unite. Standing together in this challenging life makes us stronger as a race, the human race.