Is that hard? Apparently. Be kind, be understanding, and be patient. We live in a "my feelings are more important than yours" kind of closed minded world. Combine that with the need for immediate gratification and it's a dangerous combination.
I'm not going to get in a great debate about what is or isn't the best course of action for us as a society, but I'll say this - we have to change.
Those who are doing wrong, must be punished, those who aren't, shouldn't be berated because of the color of there skin, no matter what it happens to be. Recent events have brought to the forefront our (nation's) past. It's not a pretty one. I mean, there have been people all along our history who condone (or don't put forth the effort to stop) things that are unimaginably wrong.
Slavery in the past has not been limited to any race, sex or religion. There have been near genocides of people based (usually) on their social class, not race. Our ancestors are not us, would you have your child punished for a crime you committed? No. (If you said yes, well, I don't know what to say to you).
If my ancestors had any part in anything that crossed the lines of racism, sexism, ageism, antireligionism, or anything at all that discriminated against someone, I apologize on their behalf, they were obviously ignorant and maybe society had too much influence on them to make a stand. I also apologize directly to any victims of discrimination, it is not right, and I hope that we find a way as a society to not continue this practice.
Notice I apologized FOR my ancestors and TO any victims, I haven't apologized for myself. That's because I am not responsible for discrimination of that type. I will say that if I personally know you, I may discriminate when I'm choosing someone say, to have lunch with. I may discriminate against someone because they will talk too much, or maybe they won't talk at all. Discrimination in itself isn't wrong, it literally means to discern between one thing and another. If we didn't have some form of discrimination in our life, we might have a life full of half-thought choices, that may not be ideal.
Again, just be kind, follow Wheaton's Law, and remember, if we as a society don't change, and keep attacking ourselves, then what's the point? It's like a dog chasing it's tail if we all don't understand. Humans are humans, apparently inherently ignorant, but still, all human. Treat everyone that way.
Until next time, dear readers...
