Racism in 2009

Well, earlier this month (or rather in November) I was told that I could not get a hair cut because the salon didn't carry shampoo for African American women. Isn't that sad? That in 2009, their are people that believe there are certain shampoo companies that cater to certain ethnicities. How very ignorant. I wasn't as angry as I was shocked. My expectations of said salons was much higher and so as I move into my New Years and Resolutions and all that crap, I feel like America's New Years Resolution should be "to be more informed". I don't think-no wait- I KNOW that racism will never go away, but people can just try and be more informed about the ever-changing world around them. Very much not interested in the character of the woman who said this to me but most of all, I want people to be more informed. Or in other words, THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. Geez.

What does it mean?

We sat in the crowded Federal Reserve Bank of New York, half awake, half concerned for the speaker and ultimately, anticipating the words that would give us freedom to be absent minded in thought. In a stuffy, large auditorium, none us could pay attention, and if someone had asked me what the name of the speaker was, I would've showed them a list of names scribbled on my notepad and told them to guess.

As my mind began to get restless and departed, I wondered how on earth someone could be so distracted and unfocused on what someone was saying; it was obvious that this person had really prepared, yet my devotion to being a good audience had weakened.

Then I heard the words Razon Detra and I immediately was drawn to the speaker. Not knowing what it meant, but hearing bits and pieces of what the speaker was saying, I found myself lingering on every word that he spoke after that.

As soon as I got a chance, I looked it up.

I found nothing except "reason for being".

Then I realized that the meaning for everyone was differerent and thus, there was no "real" definition other than "reason for being".

This is mine.




I thought that Life and Family and Happiness and Prosperity and Heaven were reason enough, yet, as I continue through this enthralling journey called Life, I continue to find new reasons and new understanding. Even In the last 3 months, I've gotten a new "Razon Detra"; Italy.

Crazy that it's a place, but realistic in nature since I plan to go in the VERY near future. Which makes it one of my reasons.

Nivea has a song titled "25 Reasons" on her debut, self titled album and while I'm not a big fan of pleas of undying love,(in the song she list 25 reasons why she still in love with a guy, and why she's never leaving him..etc.), I respect her for having 25 reasons for doing anything, let alone love. I can't think of 25 reasons why I'm doing anything in my life, but that will soon change.

See it's not that I don't have 25 reasons, it's that I've never been forced to think of them, you know?

25 Reasons why....?

So here's what I'm gonna do.

Compile list of why so that I can emit more passion in everything I do. Even if it's just feeding my dog. Or hugging my mom. Or creating a blog.