COLORS

A few weeks ago I was watching a show on PBS about the integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was striking to see the difficulty contained in such a seemingly simple act. I do not mean to suggest that I know how it was from either side of the argument, but the white folks certainly felt as though the world was coming to a screeching halt for having been forced to "co-educate" with the black folks. Even more glaring was how calm and adult the black folks were behaving. This is not to suggest that I was surprised, but only for the opposite behavior in the white folks.

In the face of overwhelming hate and illogical bigotry, the black folks were poised, graceful and respectful to white folks whose behavior and verbal venom wouldn't have deserved even a, "how do you do." from me. I was embarrassed for them, the white folks, and not because my pigment is similar to theirs, but because I am also human; though they were wanting for proof in that sad moment in their life.

We have all been in that position in our lives where our whole perfect little world seems to be falling apart all around us and all we can do is behave like a hungry rat backed into a corner. I am in no way justifying their actions, just suggesting a point of understanding, since we can all be that person when the chips fall the right way.

In the same moment, though, the black folks were thrust into the same emotional tornado. To top it off, they had the local government turning their backs on the supreme law of the land, The U.S. Constitution. That beautiful document written so many years before that gave them the same rights as the children having a tantrum all around them; the children had the guns though. It is this that is striking. You could make two lists: one defining differences and one defining similarities and don't you know that the ones throwing the fit in the PBS show were only focused on the short list.

As you go out into this vast and complex world to work, to play, to give or to receive you make similar lists throughout your day. Will yours cause a riot, or will it end one?