I was born a Caucasian female. I am neither proud, nor ashamed of that fact. It has probably influenced the course of my life, but was beyond my control. Therefore, it is just a fact. What I have done with that fact during my formative years and to date was, and is, somewhat within my control. As with every human being.

We are all people of color; some light, some dark, others somewhere in between. We have so many mixed races of people in our world today that color should have become a non-issue and bias should have ceased to exist. And yet, there is no truth to be found in that thinking.

To say we don’t see those differences is a lie we tell ourselves. It is like saying we can look at a green tree and not see that it is green. Or, look at a blue sky and pretend it is otherwise. God created colors, and He created normal-sighted people to see all of them. It is how you choose to react to what you see that makes the difference.

I was raised in a diverse neighborhood and school system, which in the 1960s meant mostly African Americans and Caucasians. But none of us viewed each other with those labels. Our common denominator was the fact that we were all poor. Those who had financial advantages and better homes, often took advantage of the rest of us, regardless of our color, or lack thereof.

I am appalled and ashamed for all the punishment this world has meted out to many of its inhabitants. Jews, African Americans, Native Americans; all whose birth determined their status in society. The list grows as our population expands. But I am not in a position where I can force others to change their views. I can only hope to act as an example.
We are a world filled with people who have justice issues. Let’s call it what it is; selfishness. The thought that in order for one to prosper, others must suffer. Living in this way amongst other members of society has always been, and will always be, wrong. But that doesn't mean it will ever cease to exist.

Racism and prejudice have created problems in society since the beginning of time. Call it a lack of faith on my part if you will, but it has not changed in thousands of years, and I don’t see it changing if the world continues for thousands more. Protests, brutality, bullying, hate murders, name-calling, drive-by-shootings, none of those actions are likely to change that one simple fact.

Some who read this may agree. Others will say my viewpoint reflects the circumstances of my birth. I agree that I, like all people, am born broken and filled with selfishness. We must be taught to love others; it does not come naturally.

I also believe that suppression of others is not, and has never been, a color issue; it is a heart issue. And a heart is the most difficult thing to transform. Colors can change or be changed, but a heart, well that requires a lot more work. And it definitely requires Jesus.

In and of ourselves, loving others is an impossibility, especially when they don’t love us in return.

To truly change how people view people, we must all learn to see the color, but choose to react respectfully and with love regardless of what we see. Don’t turn a blind eye; turn a blind heart.