Racism

It sucks when people assume we can or should add up every trait, advantage, disadvantage, windfall, and tragedy and then compare the sum to the sum we came to for another person.

It also sucks when we choose to let go of our humility in order to assume we can know what is best for anyone but ourselves. I would never change the hardships I had because they made me what I am. This life is struggle and diversity. Let's celebrate the differences.

To me that means we must accept the differences we do not like or understand. Some people do not like or understand those who look different than themselves. Most of us can see that kind of intolerance is not a smart way to exist. If they speak out about their dislike of other ethnicities, it can trigger pain. Perhaps more worrying to some, is that this racism will spread.

We urge these "racists" to accept other skin colors and other cultures. How about our intolerance for their preferences? Can a person practice tolerance if they are never presented with expression that triggers a negative response? How about us leading the way by accepting (not condoning) their expression? Instead of shutting them up, what if we were to listen deeper? What if we were to empathize with their fear of that which is different? Empathizing is not enabling. The alternative? What happens when you cap a volcano?