From the moment I came out of the womb, I was skeptical. My mother told me this.
At just over 5 pounds, she noted that I somehow conveyed that I didn't think I was quite ready for what the world had in store for me.

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And she was right.

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Just reading the daily newspaper gave me angst. How could so much bad be happening with such frequency? How could so many different types of people be treated so poorly? How might we move beyond this?

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I eventually stopped reading the news with the same regularity, then got busy with life, distracting myself from a lot of what was happening out there. And I tried to be more positive - not so easy for a pessimist!

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A little background

I grew up in a very homogeneous Jewish enclave. I went to Protestant School Board public schools that were 95% Jewish, but interestingly found friends in both the 95% group as well as 'the other' 5% (The irony, of course, is that I was really 'the other'.). 

 

For my two-year pre-university schooling, I decided, after some consideration, not to go the expected route of the majority and, rather, attend a small private school run by nuns, one that had a great reputation for preparing their students for university. 

 

The school was a veritable United Nations, with students from all walks of life. And just like that, I was, for the first time in my life, in the minority.

 

I reveled in the diversity. I made new friends. I was finally part of a world that was.....well, a truer reflection of the real world.     

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When I graduated from university, I moved out of the ghetto that was my childhood home for almost two decades. While it was safe and predictable, I found the homogeneity stifling. 

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I decided to move out of the suburbs, choosing to live on the edge of downtown, where I was regularly exposed to all types of people. I saw them on the street. I worked with them. I played with them. I enjoyed the colour and richness and diversity. Still do.

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But many don't. And it's a shame.

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They are unwilling or unable to deal with those who are not like them. They know them as stereotypes, not as people, and they are scared, dismissive, and sometimes hateful. Perhaps they were once wronged by 'The Other' and decided they are all like that and should be avoided. Perhaps their parents told them that these are bad people because their parents told them this. Whatever it is, it is not helping us move forward. 

 

Now that I'm retired, I've had more opportunity to read the news and tune into talk-radio. I seem to be hearing more talk - not less - about racism and discrimination. And I wonder why. Why can't we get along with each? Why can't we respect each other - even when we might not agree? Why can't we be kind to each other?

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I don't want to tell myself "I told you so" given my early thoughts at birth, because in my heart I know we can do better.

 

WE MUST.

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So I ask you to join me or, better yet, any of the many wonderful groups and organizations that are working tirelessly
to make this world a

BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE.

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This is our moment.