Over time, things as we know have and will always change. Even the sciences that we so believe to be based on facts. Religion based on history. Socialization, Economies, power and what so ever we know of.

But what I am writing about is not about science, religion or any other thing but Racism.

Racism as we know it is typically having a certain kind of negative feeling towards a race. But in recent years, this racism has disguised it’s self in different ways of which its most commonly unrecognized form is Stereotypes.

According to the Merriam Webster’s dictionary of English, Racism is a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race; Or racial prejudice or discrimination. The Oxford online dictionary defines racism as the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

On the other hand, Stereotype is defined by the Oxford Dictionary of English as a person or thing that conforms to a widely held but oversimplified image of the class or type to which they belong.  While the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines it as something conforming to a fixed or general pattern; especially: a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment.

A close look at these definitions and you notice that the only difference with both of them is the one clear stated with that of oxford as Racism being to people of a race against that of stereotype exhibited towards a person or class of people associated with something.
I know what you are thinking now, I think about similar things as well when trying to justify my actions. If you are so quick to draw stereotypes by what you have read, heard and seen about certain individuals and using it as a base to judge a  group of people they belong, then I don’t see that as racism, Concur. No, i totally disagree. When we draw stereotypes, they are based on what we already have in mind about the race the person is from.
Stereotypes on the other hand takes similar traits like racism but stronger and the potency is determined by events and level of socialization and mix up.
As much as we try to claim, stereotype over racism for most of our actions, one from a distance or view will always see that as racism. For instance, there was a drive by yesterday in Denver being discussed on the news, the first conclusion drawn is that about Blacks or Hispanics. If a bomb goes off somewhere, the Arabs are the one to blame. And my favorite stereotype of all time, when one is scammed or defrauded, I will let you complete that one cause I already know what the world thinks about the popular Nigerian Prince Scams.

After careful, observation from my own perspective, I have come to understand that many people aged between 8-17 years of age tend to believe they are two races on earth, Black and White. And ages 18-26, are a little smarter (which they are supposed to), and they see a certain number of races based on their experiences, adding Yellow (Asians) and Brown (Arabs). For the rest of the age groups, what they think of a race is based on what occurred while in their early-mid 20s. Very few have the privilege to widen and understand how diverse and different races are and the traits they carry, from cultural to language differences.

As a result from the fight against racism, stereotypes are now the common way of exhibiting racism. A friend once said to me I cannot trust Black people cause they thieves, criminals and scumbags. As a fellow black person, I was offended but did not blame her. Because she is blinded by the media and stereotypes drawn around her that she forgot the friend she was trusting with such emotion and words is black as well. When she noticed, I was black again, she felt ashamed and started apologizing for her words and tried explaining herself. My response to her was not to bother, because I understand. And asked her if it was fair if I considered her race of people to be scoundrels, gold diggers and whores based on what the media and all has publicized? And the ended everything there.

We may say whatsoever we want to say about Racism and hide behind the not so protective Stereotype, then we are losing the war against Racism, having a Black American president won’t change anything. Nelson Mandela Clocking a hundred years and celebrating his freedom still won’t change anything. Until we get to understand the differences between races and individuals, we will keep losing. I have met amazing Arabs that have no idea about bombs and are not extremists, Nigerians that enjoy life and love the thrills it offers and amazingly sincere, Russians who can actually keep relationships and not mess around, surprisingly very smart Americans that actually know what is happening outside of their country and less intelligent Asians who suck at mathematics.

Yes I draw stereotypes as well, not going to claim I don’t. but I use my stereotypes as a means or an anti-racism when socializing.

Helps me understand what is sensitive and what is not and also the pace at which to move our relationship and how. And that’s towards an individual. 
Let’s put an end to RACISM and move on to developing this beautiful Home of ours called EARTH!!! 

Before you come to your own conclusions, ask yourself what you classify as stereotypes and how you view races.

What do we really want in Life?

     I often ask people what they really want in life ? and every time they go round and round telling me how they want to be rich, get to meet some one or have something about them out there and so on.And after a while they start doubting if that's what they really want. At first i was kind of same, but after a while of living and not being able to get most of those dreams to come to reality, i stumbled across something rather unusual, which i believe a couple of people have finally gotten hold of and accepted. People, books and all will keep telling you things on how to realize your true potential and how to get what you want. What if what you want is not what you need? what if your perception on life is off?
i am not saying i know exactly what you need, or from what angle you need to view life from. but i have come to notice that every human in this life wants to be acknowledged.
      A friend keeps ringing it to my ears on how much men do everything in life just to have a woman at the end of it or women in some cases. And women do same to get the attention of the men around. Being a good stupid friend that loves adding humor to everything, quickly asked about the Homosexuals, And he goes to tell me how same applies for them but in a more challenging way compared to Heterosexuals. We go through life changing and adapting as time passes and we get to develop a certain character towards everything. For those who grew up being the center of attraction always tend to try their best to stay that way, even if it means changing their very core. We have seen and heard of cases of people moving away from their families, groups or even societies to be able to make a statement or to be heard. Rarely will you stumble upon some one who just wants never to be noticed. cause even serial killers are driven by the knowledge of their actions being a topic or a phenomenon out there.
      In the end, every human craves to be acknowledge, noticed and appreciated. its the most important thing for us. so before you go about shouting what and who you want to be, be sure of the reason why you doing it. the group of people you are seeking their acknowledgement.
      No Matter what we do in life, for us to be successful, we need to know how far we are willing to go to get that thing we want. And to be a success in anything, you have to first acknowledge yourself and the rest of the world will follow..

LIFE : What is Greatness?

      As you read this, There is a new born baby somewhere around the globe. Someone just moved on to the afterlife. So what is this Life and end of Life thing?
Over the years i have heard numerous people commend others for having a great life and criticizing others for an awful life. But what is a Great Life or an Awful Life?
       Some one once pointed out to me about the ideas of an individual over the perceptions of right and wrong, good and evil, success and failure all based on the the person's environment, upbringing, level of exposure and most importantly, the person's level of interaction and the influence of religion in those aspects and times of experiences in such a persons life so far.
       The issue of morality and the supposedly dark-sided twin, Immorality, still stands a big issue in our everyday lives. As someone still trying to understand the religion i have being a part of ever since i was born, the issue of morality drives the urge to get that understanding. An evangelist once said to me, to have a great life, you have to Live like Jesus did, And i have met some Muslims who think of such about Mohammed as well.
And for the Non religious, for them a great life is attaining a certain level in what ever they have planned for themselves in this life we live. Not to forget the Buddhist and other religions that strongly believe in Peace being the ultimate way of a great life. We have people that believe in world dominance as greatness and those who believe in having material things as greatness. Some religions even mentioning of greatness which can be attained when dead, some believe Knowledge is the key  And i have always asked my self the question that i believe drove some minds to take on the daring of tasks, and asking the most feared questions: Which of these is true, or are they all wrong and i have to find my coat?
      Is greatness Good or Bad ?
Going back in time through history of Mankind and Mythologies, we stumble across names and events that most accept are great and others choose to stand at the other side of the bridge. The perfect Example of such, Adolph Hitler. Is Hitler Great or did he live a great life?
He sure believed in his childhood stories to the point he searched for the mysteries of the world, the legends and religious artifacts mentioned and he went past lines that we call Inhuman. but did he not have fans and followers then as now? No matter how much we try to justify an action or event, to another group of persons, it is the opposite. by justifying our actions, do they become right or just an exception ?
     But is there any exception to greatness?
As a fan of sports, i have read and witnessed people rise to greatness in sports. Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Tom Brady, Michael Schumacher, Travis Pastrana, Tony Hawks and the list goes on and on. Am i a fan of all of them? No. But nonetheless, they have placed their banners in the category of the sport they all play. some arguably greater than others.
     At the end, what gives it away that one has finally attained greatness in their life or when they pass?
As a fan of stats and the idea of comparison , i will go with the system.As a matter of fact, majority of the world over time, have and will always agree with the numbers, be it anything.
Any event or person can be great, either with good records or bad ones. Measures for such greatness can be illustrated using the number line. Negative as it is , being the negative part which holds disapproval and Positive which holds approval. the lower the number falls on both sides indicates how much an event or person will be categorized as great. The Holocaust remembered for its great numbers but when compared to that which happened in Uganda it is of a greater event and importance. For revolutions to be successful, the number needs to increase to a certain level of consideration.
     In the end, Greatness comes after an action. its the effect that comes along with every action and the magnitude at which it was done. so before you go on saying one had a great life or an awful one, think of the persons actions and the effects of those actions to the people involved. And always remember, the world we live in is trying so hard to make us see the truth but we are on the other hand trying so hard to ignore it. Voice what you see and feel but only after a well thought out period , cause you never know why he/she did what they did or they are doing...