Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Love Knows No Color

When Obama got elected to be our next president, I had a cousin in Italy write me to congratulate my country on such a bold and updated result. Mixed feelings came with the realization that our new president had many controversial ideas and beliefs. I will not get into a political match here. But I will make an observation many must talk about but is never heard about in the media. Obama is black.

Call his ethnicity what you want--his skin is darker than all the other presidents. Why does that matter?

It makes a difference for me. I am so worn out from discrimination due to ethnic background and color of one's skin. What a moronic race we are from the beginning of time to assume that appearance is an indicator of a person's worth or abilities.

In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, chapter 16, Samuel makes a judgment on appearances:

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Matthew Henry's Consise Commentary on the Bible says this:


"It was strange that Samuel, who had been so disappointed in Saul, whose countenance and stature recommended him, should judge of another man by that rule. We can tell how men look, but God can tell what they are. He judges of men by the heart. We often form a mistaken judgment of characters; but the Lord values only the faith, fear, and love, which are planted in the heart, beyond human discernment. And God does not favour our children according to our fond partiality, but often most honours and blesses those who have been least regarded."


I live in a city where African-American residents are scarce. It bothers me. I don't want to be a partaker in any kind of discrimination. I hate that my area is deemed "white." I have written several commentaries in our local newspaper regarding the presence of Aryan Nation groups and praised the runners in our popular race, Bloomsday--winners always being from Africa. They cross the finish lines, sleek, dark, tall bodies with arms raised high.


When Obama got elected, I proclaimed that television and media would take on a more balanced appearance--more black people appearing in commercials and TV shows. It is happening. I am so glad to see the ratio of peoples in the spotlight coming to a more even keeled percentage.


Modern America? How modern can we be and intelligent when discrimination still permeates every city.


Argue what you want about our president. Takes sides. Hate his policy. Fight to have him rid of. But I am glad to see his color skin reflecting out to the world. America the beautiful...


Visit me at http://www.cindyscinto.com

2 comments:

  1. Unfortunately people voted for him for or against just because of that which is ignorant. It is not his race that bothers me but his politics. I was just reading how 2 men of the aryan nation were arrested in Northern Idaho for littering as they were putting their flyers out in neighborhoods. Idiots! It bothers me as well that we are primarily white. At the same token, Tucson was primarily Mexican. They live like slobs, there is grafitti everywhere, they refuse to learn the language, and they protest against America. Funny since they are citizens of the US but will not let their Mexican heritage be dominated. So given the 2 options, I think I prefer this one. I was glad to actually see a few black people at church here in Spokane. I too look around at those things. When I see mixed races at church, then generally I know it is a healthy church. I always liked Michael W. Smith's song, "Color blind." These are his lyrics:

    There's not a world of difference
    Out in the world tonight
    Between this world of people
    Red, Yellow, Black and White
    But instead of riding a rainbow of love
    We still are fighting with prejudice gloves
    Of anger
    With something to claim
    But nothing to gain so
    Chorus:
    Why can't we be color blind
    You know we should
    Be living together
    And we'd find a reason and rhyme
    I know we would
    'Cause we could see better
    If we could be color blind

    Somebody's just assuming
    He's up to nothing good
    'Cause he's not like the others
    There goes the neighborhood
    What kind of world are we living in
    When we judge a man by the tone of his skin
    It's crazy
    'Cause he has a heart
    Like you have a heart and

    Chorus

    Bridge:
    It'd be so fine
    To be color blind
    To open our eyes
    And see color blind

    I know this world would be a better place
    The only race would be the human race
    All of those barriers would be erased
    Why can't we be color blind

    Tracy Sullivan

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  2. Cindy: I can always count on you to say it like it is! Words to listen to.

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