"Why does my race matter anyway?"

Race has officially taken over every aspect of our lives. It is the hottest topic in media and will continue to be that way forever. Recently a project called "The Race Card Project" was started. The project consists of candid submissions from people who have engaged in the exercise. How does this work? You think about the word race. You then distill your thoughts, experiences or observations about race into one sentence that only has six words.

I decided to dive into this project. My six words were, "why does my race matter anyway." Whether it be applying for a career of your choice, filling out scholarship applications or submitting college applications, we are always questioned as to what our race is. Why should my race matter when I am pursuing my career? Why should my race be taken into consideration to determine if I am worthy of funding for college? It shouldn't.

Whether we realize it or not, one's skin color is the first thing we ever noticed. I have met people for the first time in my life and one of the first things they ask me is, "so what are you?" Well, I am human. I am human just like you and anyone else we have ever encountered. So, "why does my race matter anyway?"

Being trapped in the bible belt, race seems to always be an issue. God forbid someone's child to play with someone whose skin is darker or lighter than theirs. Or let's just face it, the world would burn down in flames if you allowed your daughter to marry a black and/or white man. I once heard in a town I grew up in, "I would rather see my daughter with a strung out meth head who was white rather than a good black man." But don't forget, they are not racist. That is the thing, though. We believe the only way we are considered racist is calling one racial slurs. It is so much more than that. Racism can come in the smallest of forms. Sadly, we don't even realize it half the time.

Leviticus 19:34 says, "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." So are we truly living in the bible belt? My grandmother always told me growing up, "attending church every Sunday does not make you a Christian." We as humans have a habit of claiming to be a Christian, but not living like Christ.

But, "why does my race matter anyway?"

Sadly it does matter. Race will always matter even though it shouldn't. There will always be someone who takes it too far, someone who seeks attention for the wrong reasons, or someone who wants the world to pity them. Hopefully, you will learn to stand past the evil and let it fall to the ground as it should. I know I have.