Citizen's State of the Union Address:

"We are all Created Equal"

What does this really mean?

We all have opinions of what it means to be equal. A lot of those opinions are similar in content for the simple fact that our logic comes into play when faced with a question we don't fully know about, so we elaborate. In other words, we would rather share what we know without doing the proper research to formulate a better opinion, if in fact there is a better one to share for any particular subject.

Before I go on and tell you what I plan to do for my contribution, lets break this down even further. I think it's necessary to explain a little about how most opinions and intentions develop. This is not aimed to be a lesson in psychology but is necessary to illustrate a point.

Our thought processes are complicated, very complicated. I would like to give you a couple examples of how we come up with what we decide to say to the world.

How you were raised-

There is nothing wrong at all to declare to the world that your opinion comes from how you were raised. Young minds are impressionable and seeks out answers to their questions. Who better to answers those questions than your parents. The problem arises from our lack of understanding of their answers. Instead of questioning the answers, you take them as truth. It then compiles until it becomes a concrete belief.

If your mind fights with you when it comes to understanding why your parents teaches you anything that denounces inclusivity, then it's your mind telling you that there is more to the story. If their explanation interferes with your logic, then question it! It's your right to disagree with anything that doesn't make sense to you. And just because someone you love and can trust has given you answers, advice and direction all of your life, doesn't mean it's how the world really works... In most cases It means that's how they were raised as well, and the cycle is yet to be broken.

Beliefs-

Your belief system accounts for every opinion you've ever had.

There is so much information you have gathered over time contained in your mind, we all know that. Whether you remember all of it is irrelevant because your sub conscious remembers it independent of your conscious. Your conscious self observes something, you make an assessment of the information, then it's filed away for possible use in the future. Let's say the conversation is whether eating fish is better for you than meat. I'm not a doctor but immediately have an opinion based on things that I have heard or read about. My belief is reinforced by the data. My mind assists with the opinion by giving me information that I held on to that happens to be connected to this topic.

The problem with some opinions is: We don't even know why we do or do not believe something. When asked a question, "Why do you believe that?" Some answers are simply "It's because I do!" That is a cop out in my book. You need to seriously go into your thoughts and find the real reason of why or why not. In the process you might surprise yourself and have a second heart about a certain belief you are not 100% sure of. Maybe you will have a revelation and say to yourself "Wow! I didn't know that, now I no longer believe this as truth" Or maybe you can't find an answer when you search your mind but still don't buy the answer offered to you from an opinion of someone whose had firsthand experience with the topic. This is how arguments begin. Some minds can't be changed until they've had their own experience that nullifies a false belief all together.

Here is a simple example from my experiences with getting to know more about my own beliefs. Some time ago I was asked the question if I believe in ghosts. I said "Yes" Then they asked "Why?" I didn't immediately know why; I've never seen a ghost before so that wasn't the reason. I took a moment to think about it and the answer that I found was this... I also believe in life after death, so at some point the soul must be able to take the form of a ghost allowing me to believe in them. The point to all this is, we really need to think about and reevaluate some of our beliefs. Especially the ones that cause controversy and leads to offensive behaviors.

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HATE

Why do some of us hate each other? It makes no sense to me. If we ask someone from a hate group that same question the answer will probably shock us. They are basically holding on to false beliefs about their world. What they fail to realize is that all of their effort is a colossal waste of time and energy. Why waste so much time on something you can't change? You can't change the color of my skin, you can't change my background, you can't remove me from this planet and most importantly you can't make me into the hater you are. So, what's left? Absolutely nothing! You just spent your entire life fighting for a cause that you will NEVER win. Majority rules and naturally there are more people who love each other than people who hate. Can we ever eradicate hate? I hope so but probably not. Should we tolerate it then? No, never.

With that said, it's time for us to enjoy the benefits of believing in equality and living our life according to that belief. The first thing I plan to do is share this article and hopefully it gives readers a different perspective on why people react the way they do to life situations, which all starts with Beliefs. I also want to write an article about positive experiences of being a minority. Not everything is negative when dealing with the subject of equality. I want to focus on the positives as well. It will let future generations know that even with all the setbacks we need to keep pushing forward and seek the results we are after. I am naturally a kind-hearted person, so I don't have issues with anyone. I accept them for who they are. Just don't disrespect me and we will get along just fine. I've taken the time to help people no matter who they are. Whether it's at home, work, online or wherever, I am good at recognizing and reading situations where people are looking for help. Words are a great place to start when reaching out to help someone in need. It can put things in perspective for them and ignite inspiration. Actions speak louder than words. Some instances require you to act in order to help someone. I left work early one day to go help a friend who was struggling with a recent breakup. He really needed someone to be there for him. I felt like I needed to be the one to be by his side and fill his ears with positivity, so I left early to do what I thought was more important. Let's all continue to help each other as much as we can.

I have faith that as time goes on future generations will come to realize that we are all in this together. Can you imagine what progress would be like if everyone was on each other's side? It would be a glorious sight to see, and experience. Thank you for reading.

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The following are famous Anti-Racism Quotes. Let's be thankful for their contribution in the fight against racism. Now it's time for us to do our part.

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"It's not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences". -Audre Lorde

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools" -Martin Luther King

"Racism is man's gravest threat to man- The maximum of hatred for the minimum of reason". -Abraham Heschel

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it's opposite". -Nelson Mandela

"When will our conscience grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery than avenge it". -Eleanor Roosevelt

"Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible". -Maya Angelou

"Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method that rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is Love." -Martin Luther king Jr.

"Peace cannot be kept by force; It can only be achieved by understanding" -Albert Einstein

"For it isn't enough to talk about peace one must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it one must work at it." -Eleanor Roosevelt

"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and test of our civilization" -Mahatma Gandi