Um Sir, You Have Race All Over Your Face!

I have to say, over the past few weeks I have become exhausted with all the media reports about race or racism or racially charged situations.  I wonder how much emphasis would be on race if our President were White again.  Yes, I think the two are related.  Now, it seems like every time someone says the words "black" or "white" it makes national headlines.  I know race is an issue.  My next door neighbor's dog knows race is an issue.

Let's be honest, we all have some racism issues.  We all have pictures in our minds that we associate with a specific race.  When I think of trailer parks, I immediately imagine a White person.  When I think of the ghetto, I will most likely envision a black person. When I think of casinos or Oklahoma, I will probably think of a Native American.  I feel at liberty to say these things because I am Scottish, African-American, and Cherokee...in case you were about to be offended.  

Whether we say it at an NAACP meeting, on TMZ, or just think it, it's still there.  Honestly, I believe in some ways racism will literally have to die off.  Those who let their mental pictures or racist ideals dictate how they interact with people of other races will simply have to take a dirt nap.  Yeah, it sounds sensational, but really...some people will never change.  Actually, I think religion will be the new "race" in the next 100 years...but that's a whole different episode of Oprah.  For those who find it hard to let go of their racism, consider this...there are bad things about all races.  That's because it's not really a race thing...it's a people thing.  It takes all kinds of people...as they say.  We just need to learn to take a long look at ourselves instead of letting racism determine how we interact with our fellow man.

The Bottom Line: 
Let it go already!  We shouldn't need TMZ to catch Mel Gibson in a racial rant.  We shouldn't know who Shirley Sherrod is.  Life is about showing respect to all people regardless of what you are taught as a child or what stereotypes are out there.  We all have some hint of racism lingering just below the surface, no matter how small.  What matters is whether or not we allow that to control us.  Color is skin deep.  Peel away our skin and we're all hideously ugly.  Lighten up...no pun intended.  

One Year - One Billion Dollars

It's a curious thing to me that the measure of an artist tends to be how well they do once they are gone.  Think about it...whether and painter, dancer, writer, actor, or singer...if that person's art outlives them, they can truly be counted as one of the all-time greatest.  This fact was never truer than for Michael Jackson.  In the year that followed his death, the singer's estate generated nearly one billion dollars in sales world-wide.  That, my friends, is astonishing.  His music and life continue to speak to all generations.  As with any artist who's taken too soon, one can only imagine what he might have accomplished in the future.  I think about what new artists he might have discovered or worked with.  For all of Michael's tortured moments, he remains an unmatched musical savant.  On a day where only Michael's music will be playing in my home and in my car, I choose to be thankful for MJ's art and his giving spirit.  In a world of one-hit-wonders and tabloid celebrities, it's nice to know that every once in a while we are blessed with the presence of a true artist.

Here's to one year of rest for Michael Jackson.    

Part-time Patriots

As the sun sets on yet another Memorial Day, I find myself wondering just how patriotic we really are.  It strikes me as a little odd how uptight some people can get about this particular holiday.  Everyone wants to wave the flag.  Everyone wants to claim their military family heritage.  People make it a point to be proud, verging on obnoxious and boastful, when it comes to their military ties.  Then there the other 364 days of the year...

I was chastised by a "friend" this morning about referring to Memorial Day as perhaps, the unofficial "white-trash" holiday.  (I feel at liberty to use the term white-trash without hesitation, as I am part Scottish-American.  These are also the same type of people I spent a great deal of my life with.)  The statement was meant to be an observation and had nothing at all to do with the military.  It was very tongue-in-cheek, but apparently some of us lose all sense of humor once a year.  I don't know, maybe the comment struck a little too close to home.  This friend started going on about the fact that a family member was in the military and their father and their father's father...etc...  In the two years I've know this person, I've never once discussed or been made aware of any family service to our country.  This lead me to realize how part-time some people's patriotism is.  It's a strange concept to me that so many only get "fired up" about their country on holidays.  These are the same folks who sit by the rest of the year and have nothing of value to add to political evolution, learning, or debate.  They grab their Starbucks, head to work, and plan their next major beer bash or Super Bowl party; all the while never trying to affect change that would honor the men and women of the armed forces.

The Bottom Line:
It's convenient and perhaps even a bit stylish to wear the flag on your back for major patriotic holidays, but what's the point if you do nothing the rest of the year?  Though one person got all bent out of shape over my holiday observation, they failed to remember that the brave men and women fight not just for their freedom to be part-time patriots, but for my freedom to say what I wish.  That's something to be proud of.  Let's not forget that every day should be a Memorial Day.  We should live our lives in a way that honors our brave men and women all the time, not just on Memorial Day.