Sometimes I forget that I belong to one particular race (actually I am mixed race but the black part of me really stands out) and just feel like I am part of the crowd. But mostly I just stand out. The problem is supposedly that I am too much of everything. People used to say that I talk too white. I was penalized for the proper use of the English language. I thought it was stupid and never changed how I speak. I was mostly alone going through school. I was too black for the whites and too white for the blacks. Funny thing is feeling so rejected growing up created in me a strong sense of compassion and tolerance and acceptance for people altogether. I don't blame anyone for judging me or others, they probably don't know any better. All prejudice is, is hate fueled by fear and ignorance. If you remove the ignorance the the fear will go away to and tolerance will take it's place. Tolerance and hate can't fill the same space and tolerance is stronger, and there you have it. Peace cannot be achieved by forcing one's beliefs on to another. But it can become a reality by respecting other peoples differences.
In junior high it was popular to be mixed and tall and I was both. So I was fairly popular. I had a very good friend who had severe aesthetic differences. He was really hard to look at but he had a heart of gold. Most of my other friends didn't want to even speak to him but I made sure that he and I were always together. He became a part of our little clique of friends and every body really loved him and got along well with him.
My point is that I was afraid of him at first but I couldn't allow that to ruin my chances of knowing what kind of person he was on the inside. And it turns out that he was an amazing friend and a real blessing. We grew apart as children often do but I still think of him fondly and remember all the fun times we had. I also know that if I hadn't chosen to put my vanity aside and see the person inside of that really messed up face I may never have grown up to know what it truly is to feel the important emotions like compassion and caring and tolerance.
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