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Race: A term used to define, and group people based on shared physical features and inherited social behaviors viewed as distinct by society. The physical and social attributes which also typically include geographical location, linguistics and religious practices are unique to these races.

It is often these attributes which establish group stereotypes. And we generally acknowledge them with acceptance, lightheartedness and even humor. A comedian can masterfully point out these diversities whilst we nod in recognition through boisterous laughs.

The world is saturated in labels. Like everything else in life, we group these according to physical features and/or social behaviors. In fact, there is not a single living or non-living thing on the planet that is not categorized by type, rank, model, status, class or grade.

Though we enjoy our own creative expressions and having our own individual beliefs, we love belonging to groups. It gives us a sense of belonging and security. And we belong to many of them. Most of them are inherited, some are instilled into our minds and others we pick up along our life journey. We connect with those we have something in common with and often judge those we do not.

The first group we automatically fall into from the moment we are born is gender. Whilst we may not know it yet, we are born into male and female stereotypes. We are also born into a religion and culture. Our immediate introduction to these will expose us to many beliefs, attitudes, behaviors and practices we inevitably mimic, exercise and of course believe to be ‘true’ or ‘right way’.

People always feel more comfortable with people who talk and act like themselves. This is not specific to ‘white’ people as we are led to believe. We are naturally attracted to what we know and understand. We gather where our environment is most familiar. How we dress, what we eat, even where we live, and work will reflect our ethnicity, race, culture and community.

Whilst we do not like being categorized or judged on our differences, we also firmly defend our group. In fairness, we defend it against negative stereotypes, prejudice, and more particularly, inequality. We defend the attributes that collectively become the representation of all we have become accustomed to.

But how do specific groups fall ‘victim’ of such disparities?

In order to understand racial tension and discrimination, we need to understand their origin.

Where something originates does not require digging up artefacts or history books. It sprouts from practiced pre-conditioned beliefs that we have allowed to ferment into potent attitudes.  

Whilst we may love variety many people lean toward conformity due to the belief that diversity causes disorder. We prefer to practice the same beliefs, traditions and social behaviors for consistency and structure. As a result, we frequently stick with those we have something in common with. Commonality feels safe – less trouble.  

It is the reason why so many cultures continue to encourage marriages within their own race and religion. They do not want someone from a different race coming in and mixing it all up. It is too much effort as many believe diversity welcomes unnecessary friction and trouble.

However, we cannot escape diversity and we too often fail to realize diversity is not the problem.

Diversity initiates expansion, propelling evolution. It is inevitable and necessary. Diversity inspires and elevates new ideas and creations. It is the infinite variety and contrast which broaden our perspective, energy and love.

The only disorders and adversities that exist are held within our mind. It is our perception and the opinions held toward that which is different (different from our own expressions and perceptions) that cause divide.

Our exposure to an infinite variety of thoughts, opinions, and perceptions we make dominant those which resemble closest to perception of self. How we interpret the world and how the world responds to us is always a reflection, an indication of our own beliefs.

While we generally believe that much of the initial ‘data’ and impressions collected surrounding racial division are based on someone’s external appearance; we are in fact analyzing and interpreting behavior.

Since we also typically mimic externally what is going on internally, how we look is a visual portrayal of how we feel about ourselves. Though obviously not always accurate, our appearance is the first and often only impression of what ‘type’, ‘group’ or ‘class’ we are.

Of course, there are physical features such as the color of our skin that remain out of our control and yet play a role in societal overall perception. However, behavior is far more impactful and significant than the color of someone’s skin.

But why are we so convinced that how someone looks is predominantly the reason for potential discrimination and inequality?

Opinion.

Having blue or brown eyes is merely a physical feature until we have an opinion about it. There are multiple ways in which our opinions merge. The two most common are how we view ourselves compared to others and how others view themselves compared to us. Both occur simultaneously. We form conclusions based on perceived positive and negative attributes and how they affect us.

What we believe about people with blue or brown eyes, how they behave and how we compare ourselves to them will become our experience.

The world will always reflect what we believe. Therefore, what we echo outwardly carves out our future experiences. We do this with everything in life. As observant, opinionated beings, we never stop analyzing and interpreting our surroundings. Hence, we are constantly profiling people. It is part of human nature as a protective mechanism. We rely on our senses and previous knowledge or experiences to alert us of specific behaviors and attributes that may be threatening. When there is something unfamiliar, we are instinctively observant of possible threats.

For the most part, we can go about our day without too much drama, anxiety, or suspicion but when something stands out, we pay closer attention. The things that negatively stand out are learned ‘red flags.’ They are the ‘facts’ we gather due to negative consistencies often exposed through media and personal experiences. We pool people because we only have a few seconds to decide if something is a threat.

We use our bodies to tell our stories and express our beliefs, joys, and struggles. And specific groups often even dress uniform according to their group’s message that purposefully display rebellion or attitude toward the world just as we mimic those we admire or aspire to be like.

If a man with pink hair was shown on media for robbing a gas station, it would just be a single man with pink hair. If another man with pink hair was involved in a similar act, it could be brushed off as coincidence, but suspicions would be raised. If more consistently, men with pink hair were acting in a violent manner, they become what we fear. Though not every man with pink hair would be aggressive, it becomes an attribute associated with fear and they would therefore not be treated without suspicion.

Due to this elevated uncertainty society would approach them with caution, and opportunities would not be as easily available. This would be considered discrimination. Of course, this is not the only form of discrimination, but as representations of our groups, we unfortunately affect the reputation of our whole group.

The many men with pink hair involved in crime would have tarnished the reputation of the whole group of men with pink hair. However, they also become a sub-group of men. We understand not all men are aggressive criminals, but we recognize those with pink hair as one.

However, if the men with pink hair were also predominantly Asian, it would become a racial matter. If this negative behavior becomes dominant enough that it causes consistent attention, conversation and warnings, the perception of the overall Asian population will be tarnished. Based on this perspective, unless it is an Asian man with a great resume, many companies would be apprehensive in hiring them. Instead, they would be more inclined to select someone they felt more comfortable and familiar with than Asian men with pink hair. This would be considered systemic racism.

Of course, this too is not the only form of systemic racism. We believe institutions and systems tend to reproduce themselves in ways that perpetuate the status quo and concerned that stereotypes may stifle social change. But are Asian restaurants who typically hire Asian staff due to their deep understanding of the food and culture, part of this systemic racism? Is ‘race’ the deciding factor or is it knowledge, familiarity, and security?

When terrorism around the world elevated people’s fear, ‘Muslim’ and ‘Middle Eastern’ were the attributes consistently brought to our attention. Unfortunately, due to this many concluded that all Muslims are terrorists. Or at the very least, it raised suspicion when encountering anyone with these characteristics. Naturally, suspicions and negative impression of Muslims inevitably led to an overall negative attitude and behavior toward them.

As habitual creatures, it is often difficult to unlearn what we learn. This particularly applies to perspective. We become very resistant to change because change brings unfamiliar territory. Anything unfamiliar elevates fear. Therefore, embracing something we have learned to fear or be cautious of is often a huge risk we believe is not worth taking.

Pit Bulls have been deemed aggressive and dangerous due to the nature of their breed. They were originally bred and used for bull baiting and dog fighting. Due to this, they have been known to attack other dogs and children. This affectionate, friendly, loyal breed was finally removed from the ring of serious injuries or death and into loving homes. Unfortunately, the public stigma against this breed has barely swayed. No matter how much ‘evidence’ we see of this breed being gentle, we continue to be nervous when in their presence.

Fortunately, time allows us to shift our perspectives when that which we fear more predominantly becomes what we appreciate.

So, does racism exist? Of course, it exists. It exists because many of us have fallen victim to racism or have heard other people’s stories and experiences of racism. It exists because we share it and talk about it to no exhaustion. It exists because we continue to peel the scab of old wounds, inferiorities and vulnerabilities. It exists because we continue to ‘educate’ fresh minds with past pollutants.

Does inequality exist? Yes, because we are consistently comparing ourselves as ‘better than’ or ‘worse than’ others and of course, judging others as better than or worse than ourselves. Hence, we treat everyone differently based on these interpretations.

Does judgement and discrimination exist? Yes, because we are insecurity bearing, observant and opinionated beings.

However, they are as feeble or dominant as we have allowed them to be in our lives. Not all who fall within the racial group deemed vulnerable feel victims of racism.

And if they are not all feeling victim or having similar racial inequality issues within the same group then wouldn’t that mean there is some instability with the allegation?

As an Australian with a European background, I was bullied and outcast throughout most of elementary school for being a ‘WOG’ (a racial Australian slur used to insult a ‘foreigner’ or ‘non-white’ person) and consistently told to ‘go back to my own country’. Yet, my cousins and close family friends within the same age group relished popularity. Despite being sandwiched between one neighbor whose parents were Lebanese and my other neighbors’ whose mother was Scottish and father, Maltese, I seemed to be the target of racial bullying from the ‘white Australian’ teenagers within our neighborhood.

While many within a group may feel discriminated against and are victims of racism, there are equally as many within the same group who feel in opposition to this.

Which begs the question, does racism exist due to the way we are perceived and are treated by others or is it how we perceive ourselves? What makes some people within the same group experience victimhood while others not?

When people feel empowered and inspired to fulfill their own dreams and desires, they no longer feel the need to blame the world for their struggles. Moreover, they do not feel the need for others’ validations, acceptance or approval. Their focus is on their vision and not what others think of them or what others are doing or not doing. They see obstacles as opportunities for growth and not the opportunity to blame the world for their disappointments.

People are motivated by those who elevate and uplift. We are inspired by focus, perseverance, confidence and victories. Race or skin color hold no credit or discredit to those who are connected and self-empowered other than the emphasis we place on them. In fact, it is the enthusiastic, passionate, optimists who exude gratitude and power that are the greatest influencers.

It is the reason why Oprah has developed her own empire far surpassing her ‘white’ competitors. Even as an African American woman who is viewed as an underprivileged minority did not halt her success, the fulfilment of her every dreams or her positive influence over others. In fact, her success has nothing to do with the color of her skin rather, the color of her spirit.

When we associate ourselves with the color of our skin instead of the person within, people will see the color of our skin and not the person within. We build our own empires around a subject and if that subject is race, then so shall we succumb to the experience of it. We own it, we make others aware of it, we speak of it daily, we think of it obsessively, we gather evidence and surround ourselves with it as the reminder of this truth we are living. It will always show up. It cannot be otherwise. All our senses adjust to collectively focus on the very subject, label or story our minds are focused on.

Unfortunately, we separate ourselves by the labels and titles we hold and by the groups we place ourselves into and then spend our lives gathering evidence of their existence and our beliefs surrounding them.

However, surely one who perceives himself favorably will reflect his achievements, success and quality of life. Surely one who pierces through life with great vigor, confidence, determination and lust for life holds more power than one who believes is victim to the opinions of others or others’ power over them.

The conflict lies not on how we are perceived by others, but how we perceive ourselves. We cannot be hurt or offended by something we do not already believe. Furthermore, it is not the responsibility of others to fix the negative perception we have of ourselves.

Which raises the question, are we victims of racism and inequality or hostages within the value we hold of others’ perceptions?

The ‘fight’ against racism is the fight against inequality. It is expecting the same respect, treatment, equal opportunity and quality of life as any other human being. No individual person or group should be discriminated against based on societal conditions, expectations or preferences.

Except you see, we are all a little hypocritical in our passionate stance to support the end of inequality because we do not always see everyone equally.

We judge, blame and ostracize an entire group based on the actions of a few. Even as we are supporting the rights of one group, we are often oblivious we are judging an entire other group for the actions of a few.

Making our neighbor’s parents responsible for the unjust way we felt our parents raised us or viewing all men as abusers or all women as cheaters for the way our previous partners may have acted is absurdly unfair.

Ironically, we are often fighting inequality with inequality. We demand kindness and fairness through hate and anger. And we insist on positive change through aggression and violence.

Nevertheless, protests are spreading the message for the right to be different, the right to be accepted and the right to equal quality of life. This fight has gone one for eons with many groups such as women or the LGBT community. And there continues to be the tug-o-war between opposing groups such as man vs women, Christian vs Muslim, gay vs straight, youth vs elderly, or even ‘normal’ vs mentally or physically impaired.

It is obvious discrimination, stereotyping, judgment and inequality are not specific to race. But how fair are we to groups outside of race? How fair are we when the odds are against our own groups?

If racism simply meant judging another due to their physical differences or difference of opinion, then we are all racists. There isn’t one of us who have not judged another based on something we did not understand, something we could not relate to or something we feared.

And we have all been judged, criticized or fallen victim to some sort of injustice ourselves. Yet, it would not hurt any more or any less being rejected for a position due to our race than it would if we were rejected for our gender. Inequality is inequality.

Unfortunately, due to our ‘group mentality’ we have become afraid to be kind because what if they are one of ‘those’? What if that homeless man is just a pathetic rich bastard or a drug addict? What if that group of Muslim men are terrorists? What if the man wearing a hoodie with his pants hanging down to his knees is dangerous? What if the group of bikers are outlaws? What if the gothic guy with a trench coat is a mentally disturbed killer?  What if the truck-driver is a rapist? What if the teenage boy with baseball cap and backpack is a thief?

As we observe our surroundings and gather information, not one of us would be feeling guilty for cautiously judging each situation we may be confronted with. Not one of us would be feeling guilty clutching our bags a little tighter, avoiding eye contact or choosing a different route to avoid potential threat. Not one of us would feel guilty profiling for our safety whether it has to do with the color of someone’s skin, the way they dressed or both.

And if you had not noticed, all scenarios included a man. Does that make me sexist? Is it not typical for a female to be feared? Not necessarily. She is not considered a large threat…yet. Whilst we may want to throw our ‘racist’ and ‘sexist’ tantrums, there are external appearance consistencies we naturally become aware of and respond in accordance with.

Unfortunately, we have come to an era where we are taught about all the fear and instability that exist in the world, what that fear ‘looks’ like and then judged for recognizing them.

There are many factors that continue to separate us beyond race. Physical size, age, gender, occupation, financial status, assets, success, and education are only the tip of our divisive attitudes and behaviors. And we see ourselves as above or beneath others based on these factors.

Children are miniature humans with minimal physical life experience therefore making them void of opinions about life. They are deemed naïve and vulnerable and adults waste no time attempting to stuff their minds with their perspectives of the world.  

Homeless fill our streets and parks and we either avoid them because we feel they are thieves and beneath us or use them to feel good about ourselves by throwing a few dollars their way.

Even our errors or ‘bad’ choices are not easily forgotten by society. Once our reputation has been smeared by these, it is hard to overcome or outlive the negative labels society places on us and even harder to gain back the right to be equally respected.

When we believe we are above others because we make ‘better’ choices or we believe we hold ‘better’ views and we are overall ‘better’ people, we do not treat others as kindly, fairly, respectfully or as equally as we would someone we felt was our equal.

Above all, our creatures of the planet are the prime example of human superiority. We decided their lives are not as important as ours and this is evident in the way we torture, kill, and market them. And of course, the smaller the animal, the less significant. In fact, there is no greater injustice and inequality than the way we treat our beasts of the planet.

Labels assist in guiding our behavior therefore, pets are viewed as domestic family members. Lucky for those we consider them as such because many others are regarded as ‘big game’ merely for hunters’ entertainment and of course the rest are duly part of the food cycle.

Somewhere along the line we chose the easiest to manipulate, mass produce and market – our farm animals. Not to mention the many rare animals killed for profit or recognition bringing many creatures to extinction.

And so long as this perspective is stored permanently somewhere in the landfill of our minds where like plastic, it remains in its perfect form for decades without decomposing, it remains part of what we consider ‘normal’ and ‘truth’. Furthermore, when what we do brings us some sort of satisfaction or glorification, we prefer to leave old habits and perspectives alone. And we will fiercely reject and resist anyone who wants to change our stagnant ways.

However, it is unfortunate we spend so much of our focus and energy on our labels and where we stand on a scale of better or worse that we forget who we are outside of them.

While we cast stones and demand to be accepted by others for what makes us uniquely different, the question is, do we? Because when we do, the opinion of others is insignificant. The opinion and behaviors of others only matter when we do not recognize our own greatness and make others responsible for pointing them out.

Inequality, discrimination, sexism, racism, homophobia etcetera will continue to exist among individuals. Yet, while we may have differing views of the world and our place in it, we generally live harmoniously.

When we are faced with difficulties, we come together. When a country is devastated by a natural disaster, we wrap and gift all our kindness, love and well wishes to those who are suffering. When we witness someone hurt on the road, we all flock to assist. All of us respond to someone in need, even if it is through prayer. In that moment nobody cares about race, sex, age, culture or about a person’s lifestyle choices. We react from our higher self – love. THIS is who we are. This is who we are ALL the time.

And then there are politics and media. Politics and media are big business who continue to look out for their own agenda at the expense of people’s peace and lives. Unfortunately, mass division is only created through media and politics. It is a constant spewing of problems, destruction and instability. Whilst these may elevate our anxiety, what triggers our anger and hate is blame.

When we make mass groups responsible for the instability and destruction in the country, we turn against our fellow citizens. We are easily baited by the constant fear and chaos being spewed with powerful conviction and by the stringing together of isolated stories to portray cruelty, conflict and discord. And if we have ever raised our voices and fists against another group, then we are simultaneously initiating and inflating a problem whilst absent-mindedly becoming the perfect host for spreading hate.

However, media and politics are not the only sources to plant the seed of doom and exacerbate its growth with false accusations. Fear and hatred toward another group will continue to recycle as long as we keep it alive through what we call ‘education’.

Rehashing what was and continuously teaching generation after generation about the inequality and injustice to their group of people will only maintain their anger and resentment toward groups responsible for this injustice. More importantly, it is inadvertently disempowering them.

As we persist on teaching children about the history, injustice and fear; another individual will set off into the world carrying parts of history and through their new fresh eyes, they will notice the color of their skin.

Ultimately, racism is not an action it is a mindset. Terrorism is not an action it is a mindset. Sexism and homophobia are not actions, they are a mindset. It is a belief, perspective or opinion that makes us behave the way we do. Whilst we may engage in aggressive behavior and use verbal and physical force to destroy or ambush what we may feel threatened by, our fears will continue to preserve their place in our life experiences.

Provided we keep rage and hate active in our minds, they will continue to reproduce more of the things we strive to abolish – rage and hate. Provided we continue to believe we are victims, we will be the evidence of victimhood. Provided we continue to point blame at others for our life’s story and how we choose to live our present moment, then we would have given up our power.

Personal empowerment does not exist in others, it begins with our mindset. If we demand others to change so that we can feel better about ourselves and the world we live in, we will be waiting a lifetime. No one comes into this world vowing to fulfill others’ desires or soothe others’ fears.

In the end, it does not matter to which god we pray we all pray for a better world. It does not matter what political views we support we all want a better country. It does not matter how we express ourselves we all want to be loved and accepted. It does not matter what beliefs or opinions we hold; we all want to be heard and understood.

Therefore, be the change you seek. If equality and fairness is what you seek, be equal and not just with those you deem as your equal. If you seek kindness, then be kind and not just to those you believe deserve it. If you seek unity, then be united and just with those who fit the same category or narrative as you. If you seek to be heard, then hear others and not just those that agree with you. If you desire to be embraced for all that you are, embrace others for all that they are and not just those who look or think like you.

Be the best example of that which you seek.

Ultimately it does not matter what others are believing or doing, it matters what you are!

We are not the same. We are all individually different down to our DNA. We do not want or think the same things. We do not interpret things or behave in the same way. And we certainly do not believe in the same things. Unity is not about sameness. It is not about thinking, behaving or believing the same.

Unity is embracing difference. Embracing, respecting and appreciating everything that makes us uniquely different. Not just the color of our skin.

But let’s begin there.

And from a wise woman I once heard say, ‘Wake up and like you first before you check in with anybody else’.