How To Prevent Racism

We are one

 One way to put a halt to racism is to gather like-minded people together, provide them with message boards, a walking path and police escort, and then have the citizens bring the message of unity to their community.

On Saturday, March 23, 2013, I had the privilege of joining friends, family and acquaintances on a walk to stop racism. I bundled myself in a chicken costume and carried a sign that read “Don’t Be Chicken…Stop Racism”. My friend Wendy and I marched with other passionate folks whose message that crisp day was to say that we are one people, one race, filled with hope that skin colour will become as commonly accepted as eye colour where it matters not in the eye of the beholder.

Personally, when I meet people, I look into their eyes and search for their existence there. What I find is someone looking back at me and my hope is that they like what they see.

I was humming a song as we strolled along.

♫ We are drops of one ocean,

We are leaves of one tree,

Come and join us in our quest for unity,

It’s a way of life for you and me.

We are flowers of one garden,

We are pearls of one sea,

Come and join us in our quest for unity,

It’s a way of life for you and me.

All the world is one country,

Man is one, can’t you see,

Come and join us in our quest for unity,

It’s a way of life for you and me. ♫

Like-minded folk

Multi-cultural stop racism messages

Witness to Wisdom

 The energy in the cramped room filled with recovering alcoholics brought feelings of humility, companionship and wisdom to my senses.

I was there to celebrate my son’s anniversary and was surrounded by others of like-mind who also felt a kinship with him. Complete strangers, some of them, friends for life, most of them, the members of this amazing fellowship listened quietly and with respect to the topic explored that evening. Each member was invited to share his and her experience with the group . Some chose to pass on the topic while others spoke with keen enthusiasm for the excitement brought on by alcohol and the downside of not knowing when to stop. Some spoke of losses repeated over and over with each relapse, while others, too new to the program to know the consequences of giving in to their obsession, spoke of their gratitude for having a place to land and share their hidden feelings.

I felt camaraderie and love emitting from the attendees to the ends of my toes. I took in a deep breath to absorb the moment and released a quiet exhale with the hope that the feelings of compassionate brother and sisterhood would stay with me. The power of the meeting’s tone remains with me and I am grateful.

At the end of the meeting we stood, clasped hands and chanted the prayer that is shared around the world:

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

The courage to change the things I can

And the wisdom to know the difference.