Ugly Americans

It's always shocking to me how willing white people are to comment on there being eight or nine black players on the court with one or two white players white watching a basketball game. 

Is it our own ignorance that makes us notice and comment on this? Or our jealously that we didn't live out our own dreams of being basketball players and astronauts and doctors? Or our internal struggle, knowing we wanted to be those things because of the joy we imagined those professions would bring - being able to play a game, travel through the stars, or help our friends and neighbors - and not having any idea of the financial benefits? 

You often hear white people say they don't color as a way to say they aren't racist, a way to say they see everyone as equals. The problem with not seeing color is that you ignore the the past struggles of other races. We must learn from our history. We must see the world as children, caring more about joy and the idea of a happy life rather than always trying to have more and be "better." 

I have a feeling those same people commenting on a basketball game don't think twice about the ten people next to them in church all being white. Or nine of the ten people around their board room table being white. Or all of their friends being white.

I write this hypocritically. But I also write this with a great sense of hope that our youngest generations will teach us how to truly be better.

I am not Trayvon Martin. I am not Michael Brown. I am not Charlie Hebdo. But I must stand up for them. I must stand next to them or i'll never be "better."