LOVING BLIND---TRY IT!

Daring to be different in Smalltown, U.S.A. is an undertaking few are willing to tackle. I am realizing perhaps one of the greatest reasons that Smalltowns remain Smalltowns, despite the efforts of the powers that be to attract tourism and large businesses---is the deep-seeded attitudes and bigotry that, although masked, are alive and well.

I assumed, and you know it is not a good thing to assume as it makes an ass/u/me, that people are too busy providing for their families, enhancing their education and careers, and just generally trying to make our corner of the world a better place to concern themselves with the ethnicity and race of families. However, much to my dismay careers are stunted and friendships and families severed when a person loves outside their race.

The really funny thing about these Smalltown bigots is that they are Bible toting, Christian professing, church goers but yet they condemn love. They are always quick to quote the Bible in support of their opinion:

“/You shall not be unequally yoked” /

--Do you really think God sees color?

--Do you really think that God prefers segregation?

--Do you really think God frowns upon two people who
lovely one another deeply sharing their lives and
working to make their lives and the lives of others
better?

Now, let me add here that one of these same bigots in Smalltown, U.S.A., whose chosen profession is a barber, told an interracial 5-year old child that he does not cut ‘that’ kind of hair. Is there a term stronger than STUPID for this person?

I have been told to respect my elders and to learn from their wisdom. For most of the elderly people I know this is good advice; however, I see the younger generation loving blind. They see people as people and base their opinions about you according to your actions, personality, etc---just what is inside.

Maybe we should learn from the wisdom of our younger generation!

              - Melissa Harrell, MSCJ, BSCJ

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