Are you color blind?

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For a large portion of my life I was like the character Chauncey Gardiner, played by Peter Sellers, in the movie “Being There.” I lived in a place that was always safe, loving and kind; oblivious to the ugly reality going on around me. Especially to the evil that often resides in the hearts of men. But, at about the age of four, I suddenly felt that something could be amiss in this world.

I was raised by my fraternal aunt and her husband of American Indian descent; whose skin was a dark-rich copper. My uncle took me everywhere he went and always treated me to what I loved most—a vanilla ice cream cone or a root beer float.

On one of our outings we were walking through downtown San Antonio and strolled by a “high-class” store that had an ice cream parlor in full view of sidewalk window shoppers. I made my usual request expecting the usual response, but was surprised at his hesitation to take me inside. We stood outside the pane glass windows for a few minutes before he reached into his pocket to hand me some change, then instructed me to go in by myself while he waited outside. I was too young to read the sign hanging on the door, so my little mind couldn’t wrap itself around the reasons why he wouldn’t go in. But, even at the age of four, I knew that something was terribly wrong. I looked up at his face and saw a sadness that I’ll never forget. I decided that if he couldn’t go in, I didn’t want to. I told him I’d changed my mind, took him by the hand, and pulled him away from that awful place.

Even people who we think we know may surprise us with a comment that exposes the true condition of their heart. I worked in Michigan with a person who seemed to be genuinely interested in me as a friend. So when she asked about my ethnicity I answered her questions in a spirit of friendship, and to the best of my knowledge. At that point, no one in my family had researched our complete genealogy. I explained that I had been told that I was part this, part that, and that my grandparents were of such and such origin. She said “Oh, that’s what I am. I knew there had to be something good to like in you.” This was the day I finally understood the lyrics to an oldie, but goodie, that says: “Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend. Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within. Smiling faces, sometimes, they don’t tell the truth.”

I never dreamed anyone would consider me despicable because of my outward appearance. But I found out differently while touring the crowded streets of downtown Manhattan. A man walking past me suddenly yelled out “Spic!” in disgust. When I looked back to see who he was talking to, I realized that I was the object of his contempt. I didn’t even know what a “spic” was. That was the first and last hateful remark of this kind that I ever experienced. Others have not been as fortunate. It must sadden God to see how some of His creation are mistreated because of their unique makeup.

There will always be someone who doesn’t like us for what they perceive us to be. I guess you can say that perceptions “color” our world. Our upbringing, experiences and environment affect our viewpoints on everything. The things we don’t understand, we tend to fear. And, when a group of people are the objects of our fear, racism seems to be the end result.

I’ve witnessed segregation and prejudice against various groups of people and/or individuals all my life and have never understood this type of thinking. I moved to Detroit after one of the biggest race riots in history and saw firsthand how hate can quickly spread out in all directions. People grouped up into white, black and brown factions; each group pointing fingers, screaming out racial slurs and fighting against the others. It baffled me then. Now I realize that when people don’t have a true relationship with God, they don’t know how to relate well with people that they don’t understand.

Bigotry and prejudice arise out of prideful attitudes that dupe some individuals into foolishly believing that they were endowed with superior qualities that God intentionally withheld from their fellow man. The truth is that our degree of pigmentation, varied facial features and textures of our hair are all part of the Creator’s marvelous way of enabling us to function effectively in different climates and environments. Diversity of design is part of a divine creation plan.

Why would someone say they love God, calling themselves Christian, and reject a group of people that He made and loves? As Christians we must learn to filter everything through a biblical viewpoint instead of the myopic lens of the world. Scripture tells us that we were all made in the image of God with spirit, soul and body. We are different from animals--not from each other.

I pray that, in time, we are all struck with ‘color-blindness.’

God keep you safe till next time...

love, eloise

Friend me @loveeloise and visit www.loveeloise.com.

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