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Let No One Define You

by A. Diane Kennedy  
1/14/2010 / Self Help

I have been very open in regards to my views on racism and judgment. Over the years, I have learned to become quit tolerant of many things. However, racism is one of those things that I am still unable to stomach. I find it completely impossible to respect a racist, bully or a judgmental person.
Due to my distaste for racism, I usually refuse to describe my racial origin. However, in order to better explain my feeling on this subject, I shall. I am Native American and Irish. To look at me you probably could tell that I have an ounce of Irish blood, but I do. I came in the world this color and will leave this color. My hair is jet black and with the exception of two inches closest to my scalp, IT IS NATURAL. My skin color isn't a tan. I don't fade in the winter. God made me this color.
That being said, you should now be able to imagine what it was like for me to attend an all white school. It wasn't pleasant and to make things work, I developed a hormone disorder at nine years old which caused abnormal growth development. By the time I turned ten, I had the body of a teenager. So I took my share of name calling, hateful remarks and bulling. No one ever bothered to ask, they just made their own assumptions.
My physical characteristics deemed me as "not white" and that was enough for kids to be cruel. I heard "Half-Breed" and the "N" word almost daily. I spent every day looking forward to getting out of that school and away from that place. As a child those things were hurtful and crushing.
The accelerated development of the hormone disorder gave little boys a reason to be a nightmare. In a narrow-minded 1990's world, some were ridiculous enough to believe that the over-development was a result of a sexually active lifestyle. I "hear" I had a great one. But that is all I can tell about it since I heard about through the grapevine too. It was just something for narrow minded people to talk about.
Honestly, looking back down the road there was only one kid within a five year age bracket that I had any respect for and didn't consider a complete joke. (This is slightly ironic considering he was born on April fool's Day, the biggest day of the year for jokes. So I find the stories truly fascinating. ) To the best of my recollection, I never heard a racial slur or cruel remark out of him. He still has my respect for that. And only one other that I considered cute enough to waste my time on. If a boy can be described as pretty, he was. To the extent that I was unable speak a word to him. He rendered me silent and stupid. I realize that it is hard to believe since I make a living by voice my thoughts (running my mouth) and have become infamous for being able to give any man a good tongue lashing. I suppose there is an exception to every rule. To further add to the irony, they were cousins.
People who base their actions on racist and judgmental thoughts are a joke to me. In order to be racist you have to believe that God could create something of lesser value. I really don't believe that my God would waste his time. And I certainly do not believe that he makes mistakes. Therefore, if he made it, it's good. You can't knock the creation without knocking the Creator. As for passing judgment on anyone or anything, no human being is either qualified or capable of doing God's job.
We are not born racist or judgmental. It is taught. So parents, we need think before you speak. And kids, as Eleanor Roosevelt was once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Be the person you want to be. Let no one define you.

Diane is a former event model and scout with a new book coming out in April of 2010.
Diane Kennedy
www.dianekennedy.info

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