Race, and Why I Don't Care

I just read an article that there were anti-semitic games and graffiti present in the town where I grew up. While most of the incidents appear to have happened in November, elementary schoolchildren were playing games like "Jail the Jews" and accusing the Jewish of killing Jesus Christ. My old town was not some backwards place full of ignorant trash- it is actually quite diverse and multicultural. Most of the students graduate high school, and that vast majority of them go to college (or junior college). I am sad to say that even in my childhood home, I cannot be surprised that there was racism there even amongst the young children. I remember subtle tensions between different races as we all halfheartedly learned about each other's winter holidays, all certain that our own was the best. I remember how one black kid got bused to Boston when he couldn't remember what bus he went on, and he lived in town. His mother was furious of course, but most of the other families who heard about the case rallied with the school: since most black children lived in the city, there was a good chance that this particular black Kindergartener did too.  Racism is everywhere, and it's easy to forget that if one doesn't have to think about it.

Here's the thing: I ultimately don't care what people are. Sure, I have my stereotypes and prejudices like everyone else, and I'm not afraid to admit it. However, race does not define a person's actions. Beating someone up is not "so ghetto" or "so black", while being super smart doesn't make people "so Asian". Yeah, most of the kids on the math team are Asian, while most of the sports kids are white. Race makes a difference in who you turn out to be, and there's not point in lying about that anymore. .  I evaluate others based on their comportment and decisions,  and I will remember you for your achievements or failures, not the colour of your skin. If you are nice to me, I will remember that. If you are a jerk, it doesn't matter what race you are, you're a jerk. I've been bullied by Jews and Christians alike, but I hate neither of them. I've fallen in love with a Buddhist, but I've known some pretty mean Buddhists too. One's race and religion does not immediately make someone good or bad- how they choose to live their lives does.

I've talked about this issue before, but nothing fails to disappoint me more than hearing that people cannot see people for who they are, rather than the package they come in.