Color-Coded

This country has been divided for so long, that the powder keg we are sitting on was going to burst eventually. But there is more to it then just black and white. There’s a grey area that we speak about but never really address. I am so concerned for those in this grey area – my multiracial brothers and sisters. Yes, I’ll call it the grey area because they are forced to chose between two spectrums without fully fitting into either.  Some have grown up in predominantly white neighborhoods and have lived in a predominately white world, yet, are not fully accepted because their blood is not pure. They are forced to whitewash their heritage, at the same time adhere to standards they just don’t fit into. But… it’s the same on the other side… some have grown up in predominately black neighborhoods and have lived the ‘black’ experience. And again, they are forced to blackwash their heritage… and become representative of an entire nation they are not fully representative of. Its not fair.

Several successful political figures, athletes, actors and actresses have broken the mold for this color-coded world, simply for just being born. However, they are accosted to a “color’ side based upon their achievements – or lack thereof. I recall the angst Megan Markle felt when she told the story of how she had to choose between the two – and her teacher told her to check white since she could pass for it.  How disrespectful. How devastating.  

There are millions of DNA strands yet, we force people into two boxes. Even people who come from other countries are forced into America’s white/black box, when they are inherently different. Sure, we’ve expanded the boxes, but really just by two… are you Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic/Latino. But those who are multiracial still have to choose a box.  They are still coded in some way.

Checking “other” or “refuse to answer” only leaves others to color code you by name and build expectations upon that. Our divide is so deep, that we’ve trained children to see what they naturally wouldn’t. We’ve trained people to check boxes they normally wouldn’t. We’ve caused people to alienate their DNA all because we want them to fit into two – four little boxes. It’s painful and I despise it. Why can’t I just be American? Why can’t I just be a Christian? Why can’t I just be a woman? Why do I have to color code myself outside of the above because frankly, that should be all you need to know about me (other than any allergies).  

​"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” ~ I Have a Dream, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr