I had already written and posted this week’s message
prior to the verdict being announced regarding George Zimmerman and his role in
the death of Trayvon Martin, and since I felt compelled to speak on the subject
there will be two posts. As a white woman with light hair, light eyes and a
slim build I know I don’t pose a very threatening figure. I know that this has
afforded me to, at times, move easily through the world without drawing much
attention to myself. I also, try as I might, can’t imagine what it’s like to be
black, especially a young black male in our society. And, I know that as much as some of us want to believe that we don’t
judge one another by appearance, that’s simply not true. We do judge each
other, though hopefully some of us do so with a little conscious awareness.
All of this has reminded me of a few times where I
happened to be by myself while encountering another lone individual – a black
male. I remember several occasions while in an elevator, climbing stairs, or
simply walking down the street, that in virtually every instance was greeted
with a very polite response, almost as if they were trying to make sure I felt
comfortable in their presence. The more I observed this, the more I started to
take notice of the differences between my encounters with white men vs. black
men. By and large the men of color were much more polite. Oftentimes, in my
encounters with white males I found that they didn’t even acknowledge me. I’m
not saying in all instances, but definitely enough to take notice. What this
has shown me is that white men, like me, can easily move throughout the world,
and don’t really care if they’re noticed, because they don’t have to deal with
the same instant reaction to their presence that black men do.
I find it horribly sad that today in our modern world a
sector of society can never fully relax. I know as a woman I’ve had this
experience, needing to be hyper-vigilant in paying attention to my surroundings
to keep myself safe, but the issue of skin color goes much deeper than this. Derogatory
assumptions are made solely based on the level of pigment one naturally
displays, as if this were a marker of character. I wish so badly that we could evolve
and learn to judge each other only on the merits of character alone, and not
appearance, though it doesn’t look like that’s happening anytime too soon. It’s
simply tragic that a young man is dead because of this.
What can we do until then? Maybe stop, check ourselves
and our reactions, and don’t instantly assume? Not always easy in the moment,
but staying conscious is a habit and necessary in choosing a more evolved way
of thinking. We CAN get better at this. I’ve seen quite a few people who may
have been raised to be intolerant of a certain segment of society change their
views though experience and open-mindedness. All it takes is a commitment to move past the
fear and limiting beliefs.
Here’s to each of you, all beautiful members of the human
race.
With Love.
P.S. Please see the other new post, Sister, Sister, below.
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From Over There:
“Brothers and
sisters under the skin, you are all part of the human race. Genetics are part
of the physical, not of the soul. The soul has no such boundaries. The genetic
blueprint in which one carries into this world concerns the life and lessons
while embodied – not before physical birth or after physical death occurs. To
understand one’s self on a soul level opens for understanding of other’s beyond
their physical presence. It opens to an expanded view of the human race as a
whole being, not as racially divided entities.”
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