Division Through Definition, A Sad Truth

Do we know why we fight anymore?

One of the first questions I'm generally asked when meeting someone is, "what are you?" I used to feel lost because I couldn't answer one ethnicity or really one of anything, I'm a mutt, in all terms of the word. There's a little bit of many ethnicity's in me and a lot of qualities that make it impossible for me to claim myself as any one thing. Now, I'm grateful for that quality because I've learned that definition causes division and division causes hate.

I know who I am as far as passions, desires, beliefs...but when it comes to what I was born with, the things out of my control, I do not know. And not knowing makes it easier for me to want to be part of all, the greater us. I do not waver in opinion and I am not a follower by any means, but I am not defined by skin color, religion, ethnicity, height or weight...

We can't control the family we are born into, the country or state we call home, but we are in control of who we are now. When we define ourselves on the "givens" we get caught up in what those who have come before us were caught up in, the fights, the wrongdoings, but if we stop for a minute to just think, we'll probably realize that the things that bothered those before us don't bother us, or at least they shouldn't. If Romeo would have hated Juliet because of a family feud, we may still be searching for the romantic story.

Human beings should be looked at solely as humans, beautiful people that can pour into us and that we can give to as well. There is beauty in simply being, we can cut our own paths, embracing all those along the way. The first time I see someone, they are fresh, regardless of what they look like, or what religion they claim, what country they came from, what language they speak. They have a fresh life to give, a fresh perspective to listen to, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Peace comes when differences are embraced, not defined. Compassion comes when humanity realizes its need for each other. Coexistence comes when we learn to value every single being.