My personal views on culture & race relations

I'm what you call a multi-culturalist (if that's a word). I believe in multi-culturalism and mingling among races. Everyone has so much to offer to the world and if we keep an open mind, we can learn and grow while dealing with others. Like Rodney King said, "Can't we all just get along?". I've heard many racist remarks from different races and I personally don't agree with it. Yes, there are cultural and physical differences throughout the races such as personality, mannerisms, speech, skin color, etc. but why not embrace these differences and respect them? Acknowledge the diversity and beauty in them.

I know there are other people who think like me but we still are not the majority. Humans are often prone to segregation and in doing so, you limit your life experience to only the things that you are familiar with.

Yesterday, on my day off of work, I spent the entire day at a Native American Pow Wow at the Gene Autry Heritage Museum in Griffith Park. The spectacle, the spirituality, the culture...took my breath away as I felt at peace listening to Native drumming and singing, looking at the dancers in their splendid colors complete with feathers and bells! I saw that they were a proud people who regularly embody the culture they inherited since the beginning of time. I also thought about how they were once disenfranchised by a group of malicious Europeans who neither understood these peoples culture nor tradition. I even tried their food--an Indian taco on fry bread and bought some beautiful beaded jewelry..

I enjoy arts & culture so I try to attend as many events, festivals, exhibits as time permits. I've been to the Renaissance Fair in Pomona to experience what European culture is like. I had fun seeing knights-in-armor, maidens, wenches, listening to their music and eating German sausage. lol I felt like I was in Medieval times. I will go to a Latin fiesta in a minute and have a great time! Drinking margaritas, eating tortillas & salsa, shaking my hips to Afro-Latin music or swaying back and forth to Mariachi.

Living in South L.A., I attend and work on African-American events in my community. The African Marketplace & Cultural Faire is also a great event. Hearing African drumming, Reggae, Jazz, R&B, Rap, Brazilian music, Afro-Latin,looking at dancers, smells of incense and fragrant oils. And of course, eating exotic foods from these cultures.

I've even been to the Chinese Lantern Festival. The colrful lights and decorations are beautiful. I appreciate the Asian culture. They're reserved, humble, precise in what they create and about the business.

My personal friends & strangers I talk to are from all walks of life. They span all ages, all races, and all personalities. I'll sit and chat with a kid, listening to them with purpose so they know I care. Children are humans too and precious.

So, that's my mind-set. This is who I am. I get along with everybody. I am thrilled that Obama is being accepted by the masses for what he stands for instead of what color he is. I feel we're moving closer to being a multi-culturalist society. It's about time!