White people are totally different from Black and Brown people. We are all different!

Every time I hear someone say, “I don't see color”, I roll my eyes and think to myself — “B*tch, you must be colorblind!”

Why are you deluding yourself?

Just by looking on the outside…you can visibly see differences!

What use is there in us denying our differences?

There are clearly visible differences in our skin tone, hair texture, features like nose shape, the thickness of the lips, the wideness of our hips, etc etc

They are so obvious — I’m sure even a blind Stevie Wonder can tell.

The interesting thing about these differences is, they transcend physical characteristics, to other aspects of life, such as culture, the way we eat, our way of being, and our range of expression.

Let me give you an example — within the Black or African community, it is not uncommon for us to talk to one another in high-pitched voices when we get excited.

It doesn't mean that we are fighting.

It doesn't mean we are going to hurt each other.

Oftentimes, it’s just raw passion and excitement oozing its way out of our very beingness.

However, from the western cultural perspective, this way of expression may be deemed as “uncivilized”.

I would always see this look of fear in my white roommate's eyes whenever my African roommates and I got into an intense conversation.

He just wasn't used to this type and range of expression, because it was different from what he grew up around in his white community in suburban New Jersey.

However, with time, he learned that us raising our voices during our conversations didn't have any malevolent energy to it.

It didn't mean we were going to kill ourselves!

It didn't mean there was going to be an outbreak of violence.

With time, he began to enjoy witnessing these intense conversations that sounded like we were frightening to him.

He found it so amusing.

It was different from what he was used to.

The point is there are so many differences between different races of people throughout the world.

Why pretend these differences don't exist?

Why try to erase our differences under the illusion of ‘oneness’?

Sure, we are all one human family.

But please don't use your superficial misunderstanding of “oneness” to erase our differences.

Because differences are a natural principle within the universe.

Look around you — at the bio-diversity of the planet.

It’s ok for humans to be diverse and different too.

Just take a look at the animal kingdom — Dogs are different from hyenas. Monkeys are different from Baboons. Tigers, lions, and pussy cats are all different species, even though they may belong to the same feline family.

The point is, these animals are all different and express themselves and their characteristics differently. Yet no one is trying to erase their identities and shepherd them under one identity.

Even the Plant kingdom works in the same way.

If you try to erase these differences by seeing them as the “same” or “one”, you may run the risk of suffering fatal consequences, if you ingest the wrong plant because “all plants are the same, and therefore “one”.

Do you get my point?

I personally believe that we can acknowledge, and celebrate differences, without making it a competition or a matter of hierarchy.

This is what makes the earth truly vibrant and abundant.

It would be such a travesty and injustice to the mind of the Creator, to attempt to erase and negate all these differences, in the name of, and for the sake of “oneness”.

I think differences should be acknowledged, respected, and even, celebrated, because it’s what makes each of us truly unique.

As humans, we have to stop viewing and interpreting differences through the lens of hierarchy.

Differences shouldn't equate to hierarchy.

We can all be different and worthy.

We can all be different, yet still, embrace, respect, and love one another.

Because diversity is a naturally occurring principle within the universe.

I’m aware there are similarities in the human experience and expression.

But please! Spare me this whole we are all “one”, we are all the same people talk.

Because we’re really not.

And that’s totally ok!