ThE FiShBOwL

If my entire closet consisted mainly of the color BLUE, I would probably need to re-consider my fashion choices and add some other colors. Yes, blue looks awesome on me and it is my favorite color but an entire wardrobe in the exact same color would be concerning. My friends and family are not likely to chalk it up to just my love for this color but they'll likely think I'm insane and start making phone calls on my behalf to various institutions. And I wouldn't blame them. Just the color blue alone has several different shades, tones, and hues. Notice how you admire the color of the ocean or the color of sky on a beautiful summer afternoon but are hard pressed to find it in your local retail store when shopping for clothes. The differences seem endless when you're looking for them. You might find a cambridge blue, sapphire, or even a soft and subtle viridian. The options are truly limitless. Crayola never even scratched the surface. If you like RED or GREEN or PURPLE, you will notice that this same example applies. In every color you will see the same, even black and white.

Do you remember the wonder and the gasps when for years of watching black and white television, you were introduced to the world of what was called technicolor? It was absolutely amazing. You knew that color exists because you saw it all around you but you were blown away to see it on your television set. Guess you had to be there.

Have you ever seen a bird or a different species of fish when they are in proximity of each other? There is a feeling out process but it rarely, if ever, erupts into a no holds barred match or worse, death of one of the combatants in Fishbowl of Death IV. Some species are more malignant than others but it's an exception more than it is a rule. When I'm sitting at my doctor's office or over at a specific friend's house, I am always drawn to the fishbowl. It is so entertaining (perhaps only to me) to see all the various types of fish with different colors, markings, and approaches to their social setting. Some are bold and engaging when you tap on the glass with the tip of your finger. Some duck and hide behind the rocks and are less social. But they are all so wondrous and beautiful in their own way and some how they have made a life for themselves in that bowl where they have learned to co-exist peacefully. So why are we finding it so challenging in 2017 to be able to "feel each other out" and note the uniqueness and the cultural accents that not only make us great and interesting but also what make the country we live in great as well. With all of our flaws and deficiencies, we are still a great nation in comparison to others and I believe that our ability to embrace what makes us similar and what makes us vary gives strength to that opinion. 

In certain countries, people of European descent are considered "devils" and are under attack and there is no basis for this except for the color of their skin and negative historical actions by those who share the same skin tone. In some countries, people of African or Indian descent are defiled, abused, and called some of the worst slurs in history. Some nationalities have an unfair reputation for being liars and thieves. Some are unfairly branded terrorists. Some are widely held as being the sole reason for the degradation of society in media and cinema. There are still people in this country that are so closed off and sheltered that they only see...PINK. Anything else is foreign to them and even to some degree, considered a threat to their "PINK-ness". Don't be surprised if a small child who doesn't look like you asks to touch your hair. Just sayin'.

So everything is not always as simple as black and white or brown when it comes to issues of race. It gets deeper and requires healthy dialogue and an ability to listen to others who don't speak like we do or think like we do or understand the things that we do. It was hard for me and I fought very hard against the opinion that I should try other colors in my wardrobe besides just blue. Oh, yeah! That's actually a true story. I had to be open to reject fear and embrace the idea of wearing red, green, purple, gray, or even yellow. Now I even wear pink shirts. Go figure! It wasn't easy but I am better for it. Several of my friends think many of these colors looks great on me. Look what I missed out on all this time! 

We're in the same fishbowl more often than not and we are given the tools to not only overcome the initial differences without killing each other but also to look inward and find the resolve to not only survive but thrive and build and produce and prosper. We're in this "life" thing together and we can help decimate and bring this down to Draconian levels of depravity and destruction or we can tap into the humanity inherently within us and make this fishbowl a better place while we're here. Hope you didn't totally hate the analogies. I meant well.