Simply Human
Standing at the edge of Horicon Marsh I see a connected world. The water reflects the sky without judgment. The cattails grow alongside the reeds without conflict. The birds share the air with each other without question. Different species. Different colors. Different songs. All living together as one community in one place. Nature figured something out that we are still working on.
As people we are all different. We all have different struggles and obstacles we must overcome. As a white, heterosexual male that served in the US Air Force I have had my own struggles. However, one thing I have never been judged on is the color of my skin or why I love who I love. Nobody has ever followed me around a store assuming the worst. Nobody has ever questioned my right to be somewhere. Nobody has ever made me feel like less of a person because of my skin color or who I love. For many people that is not their reality.
I entered the Air Force having come from a family that taught me not to judge people based on skin color, sexual orientation, or religion. Those values were reinforced and deepened during my service. While serving in the US Air Force I worked with many different people. People from a multitude of backgrounds, different religious beliefs, sexual orientations, skin colors, and political backgrounds. For me it was all about the mission, the assignment, and the work being done. We were tasked with protecting people and serving the country. It didn’t matter what religion you belonged too, who you loved, or if you were white or black. Everyone worked together, everyone built that trust and community with each other.
As I exited the Air Force and entered into the civilian world I brought those values with me. I believe we are better together and I believe that everyone deserves a fair and honest chance. People should not be judged based on what color they are. They should not be judged by who they love, or by which religion they are a part of. These things make them who they are. Everyone is simply human and everyone should be judged, to quote Dr. King, “by the content of their character.” Something I truly believe.
The idea of America is not to exclude others based on things they can’t control or things that have no bearing on their character. The idea of America is to be a melting pot, full of different people that work together in order to create a society that ensures every person is taken care of. Everyone should be able to live in dignity. We should embrace people that look different and think differently. That is what leads to greatness. Different ideas coming together to form… a more perfect union.
Have you had a moment — like standing at the edge of a marsh — where everything felt connected? Tell me about it below.
