I have had a lot of different interactions with people based solely off of the fact that I wear a scarf around my head and call myself Muslim. Some people are kind and apologetic for the reactions of others while some seem to wholeheartedly believe I am responsible for every bad thing that has ever happened to them.
Okay, maybe I mentioned the extremes, but both of these things have in fact happened so I’m only guilty of being dramatic.
For example, my family and I stopped for gas and a man came over from his car, shook hands with my dad, and apologized for hate we might be receiving in lieu of recent events (e.g. Donald Trump).
As for my other example, last month I was driving home from Missouri State, minding my own business at a stoplight when I look over and see a very angry lady. She rolls down her window and proceeds to yell at me for being in this country and loudly explain how ‘my people’ were murderers. Then the light turned green and I carried on my merry way.
I feel like today’s society has found its niche in fueling hate (E.g. Donald Trump). Prince Ea performs a beautifully written poem entitled "I am NOT Black, You are NOT White," where he discusses labels. Society would be a much better place without them. If everyone saw each other has human beings, there would be no war and no one would ever feel less than they are. My call to action is to love each other simply because the person standing next to you is a person. Compliment the girl next to you whose eyebrows are “on fleek”. Compliment the kid who’s working really hard trying to perfect his soccer moves. How does whether their black, white, Mexican, Asian, Jewish or Muslim effect whether or not they have mad eyebrow/soccer skills, or whether or not they can do their job (e.g. Donald Trump). Instead of videos of people trying to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon going viral, make videos of stranger’s reactions when you compliment them.
I mean, do you really want to watch another person suck on a glass jar until their lips turn purple?
Yours Lovingly,
Tiffany Taylor
