We all have stereotypes, we all discriminate, we all share some type of prejudice. Regardless of how tolerant we attempt to be, the human brain can only store a set amount of information. Our brain has to categorize in order for us to function, so it is easier for us to judge a book by its cover than to actually read the whole thing.

But what kills me is when people don’t even attempt to turn the first page.

When you are born into a world of privilege and opportunity it is difficult to understand those who are not. “Lazy,” is the term that so many privileged people use to label people who are born into a world of poverty. It is these people who I can absolutely not relate to. Ethnocentrism is the worst belief to have, and unfortunately, it is so prevalent in our society. When you don’t take a step back and try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, you are not only doing a disservice to yourself but to all of us.

I just came from a class where we watched “Tammy’s Story.” Tammy is a middle-aged woman who was born into a family of 22 children. She grew up with a lack of education and financial stability. She now has 4 kids of her own and admits to being on welfare for over 12 years. She decided that she wanted to try and make her kid’s life better and took a job at Burger King. With no car she walks 10 and 1/2 miles to work, rain or shine, to make a minimum wage check.

Let that sink in.

After we had a glimpse into Tammy’s life, a white male raised his hand. “Lazy,” there was that term again. I myself am not a confrontational person. I avoid fighting at all costs. But after that term was used a war was wagered.

I took it upon myself to speak up and try to enlighten this young man. But it seemed the point was mute to him, and I tried to picture him walking 10 miles to work for a minimum wage check. That picture was quite funny to me.

Readers, bloggers, whoever sees this: promise me not to be so ignorant as to not try to sympathize with people who are different than you. Especially those who have not had it so easy.

People are people. Color, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion. Regardless of our backgrounds, a majority of us are trying to make this world a little better than the way we found it. So here is what I will leave you with: we don’t have time to read over 7 billion books. But we have time to read a few, and only reading the cover throughout your whole life is a crime. Not to only you, but to everyone in this just-trying-to make it world we live in.

Think about it.