You don’t like watermelon or fried okra? You grew up with a pool and you can actually swim? I bet you can dance, right? Though yes may be the answer to all these questions, don’t tell me these qualities determine whether or not in my case I am black. Throughout my life, I have constantly been asked these types of questions. Questions that society had deemed appropriate to classify a specific group of people. It seems too easy for all communities of people to limit their view of what a person should be like according to the ideals of the world. If you so happen to be outside the plain box, then clearly there is something wrong with you. Heaven forbid you put the blame on the fact the people’s narrow or uneducated minds are closed to think that everyone isn’t the same.

This has been my constant battle. When I was younger that battle was launched but I lost the fight. Seeing all the negative stereotypical ways that I saw the African American community, I often felt shame and deterred from identifying with it. Over time I became numb to the fact that because I was different, I must not be black. I accepted phrases like “You are the whitest black person I know” and almost took pride in the fact that I was considered something other than my God given ethnicity. What a shame it was for me that so many years were wasted living by other’s expectations of what I should be. What a shame that I insulted God and His magnificence. Well, no more.

I have grown older and wiser and realized that you can’t put anyone in a box of what you think they should be. Each one of us is unique; in fact, that Bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I grasp on to that concept and walk with great pride now. Was it a mistake that I lived where I lived, grew up with the people I grew up with, or even speak the way that I speak? No! With every aspect of our lives God has set us up for things and situations that are going to be dealt with and even things to come. It was all planned out.

So, here is why I don't have time for stereotypes. It is very simple. To stereotype people is putting God’s creative hand in a box. It is saying that God in all His grandeur, ran out of quirks for each individual on earth. Not at all! If this is the God who knows the names of the stars in all the know and unknown galaxies, then I am positive that He had no trouble individualizing humanity. Even though each one of us have a different DNA makeup, I guess it was too complicated for God to give every one of us of a specific race different likes. We must all do the same things too right? Don’t mistake preferences with stereotypes.

You are uniquely you and represent a different creative aspect of the hand of God. You don’t have to apologize for being different, in fact, be proud because you are. It takes boldness and confidence to walk around in a world that encourages everyone to be the same. Own it!

You judge what you don’t understand, so the next time that you want to stereotype anyone, take the time to understand life or things from that viewpoint. Ask questions. Read written materials. Do research. You will grow in understanding, patience and love. We are called to love all people no matter what the background. So, seek to understand and don't cast judgement.