Don't let superficial difference divide
Pastiche
Benjamin Baxter
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DO YOU SHOW preference for one creed or race? Do you prefer people of one demographic over another, even if it’s a matter of just being different?
Of course not. That would be more than a little wrong, wouldn’t it?
Affirmative action does this, but it uses its insight for the forces of good, right? But, if I may spin you a yarn, this time unrelated to knitting, you’ll see where I’m going with this.
Not too recently, I was asked how many Islamic friends I had, and as the question seemed important to the questioner, I told the individual I had a few.
In truth, I didn’t know anyone at the time who I knew for sure was Muslim and though I was sure I knew of several Muslims, I didn’t know if they were talking about Muhammad.
I couldn’t mention anyone in particular but mostly because I don’t keep track of these things. Wouldn’t it be wrong to even care? Isn’t taking notice, if not harmful to the subject, at least a sort of special treatment?
And it is because of this and the effects of stereotyping that any notice that brings attention is considered special treatment.
It never registered for me that people care about these things or even really notice without being racist to some degree.
I didn’t realize had a racial quota of friends I needed to meet. Now that I’m aware, I’ll make sure to keep track.
Not too many moons ago, a friend of mine “came out of the closet” to shows of support, awe and special treatment, none of which seemed to be directed at the difficulty and determination it take to do this.
It occurs to me that the only response that treats him like everyone else is genuine apathy to the news itself.
But then again, I generally don’t keep track of these things.
Most Americans, or at least those I’ve been fortunate enough to meet, don’t look down on people because they’re different. Instead they take notice of people because they’re different.
Does this promote a color blind society? Does pigeonholing others into succinct and often inaccurate demographics create anything but separation? If you think this is anything more than an honorable intention, the joke’s on you.
It’s one thing to notice someone for their achievements but it’s another to notice them and separate them into a separate category entirely because they happen to have some characteristic.
Look at people as more than the sum of their parts. It is when you separate people into groups that they become divisive and, though not a fault of theirs, it is a fault that will shove people around more decisively than some earthquakes I could mention.
Poor puns aside, there is something to be said for assessing people by their worthy attributes rather than what is incidental. Anything else is not worthy of mention.
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