Then, upon these insights, new ones came about. I began to think about the "respect for women" thought. Why do I associate long hair with women. We are all humans, right? We all have hair, right? Why then did my mind firstly associate gaining respect for women because they have long hair. Why didn't I think about all humanity that has long hair. Why? Because of my experience. Because of my traditions. Because of my society and contextual structures that I was raised and lived for so long. Well, thankfully those structures are being widened and deepened and opened and well, lets be honest, boundless! Don't we all have masculine and feminine qualities. Don't all humans contain both masculine and feminine hormones. Surely there are anatomical physical traits that separate male and female, but that doesn't mean that we are solely male or female. Surely we are all different and have differences, but let's step to the side and look at our similarities. Don't we all have very similar tendencies, qualities, scientific data, anatomy and feelings. Now please here me, I know we all have incredible differences as well based upon our own unique lives, but scientifically speaking and philosophical deduction points that we are all uniquely connected as one species as well. Thus, why do we separate ourselves so much. Why do we view differences in personality, appearance, communication, philosophy, faith, and religion as dividing points. Aren't we all of the same essence?
A few weeks ago, late in the night, I was walking home to my apartment alone when two young guys whom I was about to pass on the sidewalk verbally made fun of my "scarf". Now I didn't care because clearly these two individuals were ignorant, drunk, close-minded, and insecure. What they said is not of importance, although it was quite degrading and if I chose a different sexually than I do could even be considered a hate crime by our legal system, but when they said it I stopped and said hello. I said, I'm sorry, did you say something to me? They began to laugh and hit each other while saying, look at this tough guy he wants to start something. I replied something along the lines of, I'd love to start a conversation with you if you want. Now, I know I may have been instigating these individuals a bit, but I felt compelled to stand and listen since they were the ones to speak to me first. As they walked toward me, I said nothing and smiled. One of them at about 3' in front of me took one big step toward me, pulled his arm back, and as he lunged his fist toward me I turned my head to the side and down a little. Thankfully, he stopped his "scare tactic" air-punch and I did not get punched. I then stood up straight. Thanked them for saying that I had a "nice" scarf, despite if I had to assume at this point I don't think they meant it in the same fashion and cheers'd them a good night. As I began walking away, they followed asking me why I was walking away and if I wanted to fight. I gave them a little peace sign and continued on my way and a few steps later they ceased following and went back in their direction. Again, I want to state it wasn't the best for me to stop and create a conversation with these two guys because it was apparent from the get go they didn't want to have any sort of intellectual let alone respectful conversation. But, I'm glad I did stop. I'm glad I didn't succumb to their tactics. I'm glad I didn't throw hate back in their face. I'm glad I smiled at them and wished them well. The point of why I share this story is not for what I did or what they did, but for intellectual awareness and thought provocation. What on earth allows someone to think that just because they look different, speak different, act different, think differently, and believe differently they are actually any different. Different doesn't mean different. I hope you're still following amongst these differences. For instance, maybe 10 people will read this quite sporadic, grammatically individual, and not great syntactical blog. But, will all 10 people read it the same? Will the same thoughts be provoked afterward? Do all 10 look the same? Do all 10 have the same hair? Of course not. And to expound further, not only do all 10 have different hair, but probably all 10 have different winds blowing their hair in different directions. Thus, no matter your hair and the direction of the wind, may you float with that wind as beautifully as the clouds! Last but not least, I write this for myself. I believe that the majority of what an individual says and writes is actually because they desire it within. Thus, these writings are for me, so that I continue to blow with the wind as beautiful as the clouds and that I choose to Love everyone and everything despite differences. And if for some reason these words resonate at all with whomever may read them is for lack of better thought right now because I'm tired, "icing on the cake".
-namaste
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