"I never realized my prejudice, or how often I found myself superior when I said I didn't. Jesus said 'love your brother', but when I say that, 'I don't want to be your brother, but I'll be your neighbor', He said 'love your neighbors as yourself'. When I decide that I don't want to be your brother or your neighbor, but instead your enemy, Jesus said 'love your enemies'. I never thought I had made enemies, but apparently, my skin color, my class, my sex and even my sexuality have made me the enemy. I never hated blacks, but I always thought they were stuck in the past, saying that they aren't equal to whites, when in fact they are; I never realized just how often they really are victimized by people who still hold a grudge, who still elevate themselves to God-like levels which they abuse by attacking those with darker skin. I come from a privileged family, and never thought I looked down on people poorer than me, often finding that their company was more real than the fat cats driving Cadillacs around me; I never knew that I did in fact stick my nose up at the people who had gambled, drank and used away their money to end up on the streets. I hated when people tried to force feminism down my throat, claiming we aren't equal to men- we've been receiving the same pay since 1964 for goodness sake!- but I never realized that it wasn't just a greedy money issue or a work place dispute; I never realized that it was the woman asking why her husband couldn't love her enough to help her raise three kids in the suburbs, or the woman who is cat called when walking through a neighborhood she can't afford to leave, or the young black girl who dreams to be a doctor, but doesn't have the money to make it to the right schools, nor the acceptance to be able to pursue that dream. I used to think that the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender movement was obnoxious, like a glaring neon light in the middle of the night, that people were trying to be rebellious, and attack people like me who have heterosexual attractions. I didn't realize that my stance with my beliefs was so aggressive that those who would be considered my enemy thought that I couldn't possibly love or accept them. Perhaps I don't agree, but even Jesus says to them 'I love you so much'. If the One who let himself he tortured to death for me can love people the world doesn't often accept, then why shouldn't I? ..................... I also never realized just how much good there still is in the world. We're all looking for angels, but never do we look them in the face and realize it. The man hosting peace talks in a mansion that should cost millions but is giving them away from free; the lady orginising day camps for kids whose parents have to work to keep them fed and treats them as her own children, feeding them and loving them; the homeless man who comes to you for dinner, but in turn speaks life into you, and reminds you why you can keep breathing every day instead of lying down and breathing your last for fear your life will mean nothing in the end; the new family who invites you into their home because all they want to do is love people, and show them how to love others. .................. To those I have discriminated against: I am sorry. To those I have called my enemy: I love you. To those who have shown me grace and mercy: thank you.

Comments

6 Comments