This I Believe

I believe that ignorance is bliss. This must be the case because those of us that are conscientiously aware are less than blissful.
Each day I live in a constant state of disbelief; whether I’m watching the news or driving to work. There is so much ignorance in the world it’s just tiring. I’m not simply referring to educational ignorance, mind you; I’m speaking about racial, social, and financial ignorance.
I have seen thousands of displays of racial intolerance just from looking out the window. I’ve witnessed everything from robbery to discrimination. I’ve seen a public bus leave a black man running to catch the bus, but stop at unmarked signs for a man of a different race. The driver seemed blissfully unaware of his ignorance, while the rest of us who were immune to his frame of mind watched in disbelief. I remember when I’d respond to racism and racist remarks with anger and frustration; however, I’ve recently been called the “N-Word” by a man of a different race and I replied, “Why not find your own gimmick and stop borrowing them from your ancestors?” I gathered from the look in his eyes, that he’d never heard a comeback like that.
Social class intolerance is another saddening slice of reality I’ve been blessed and cursed with noticing. I notice segregated groups of social class everywhere I go. If everyone in the world were to speak to someone different from themselves, I’m sure their perspectives on the lives of others would change. I associate with a mixed group of people. I have friends of all races and sexes; each of who have opened my eyes to a new world with each conversation.
Spinners, billion dollar homes, and bling bling from head to toe are just some sickening examples of financial ignorance. I feel people are so consumed with fancy jewelry or an expensive home that they forget what’s really important in life and that is LIFE. I’ve pitifully watched celebrities on “MTV Cribs” displaying their mansions complete with six rooms and nine bathrooms. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, some live alone! I can understand why someone would want to have a nice house, but where do we draw the line? Many stars talk about the hard life they lead, and how it nearly destroyed them. Yet, some do have a positive message like, “I did it, you can do it”; however, many children out there may not possess the skill to rise to superstardom as they may have. Success stories mean nothing to those who aren’t like them. Help rid the community of drugs and guns so that the youth may have a chance to follow their dream. Besides who really needs six cars?
It seems that some people are just blank slates immune to the chisel of reality, not because they can’t be, but because they choose not to be. I’d choose to be a weathered stone over a smooth piece of marble any day.