"What's Going On": a take on the detriments of Categorization.

I cannot sit here and say that I am a completely altruistic individual, completely selfless in every aspect, or that I am completely rid of faults; I WILL not, but I care and that is more than enough to deem me eligible to speak up on this issue of inhumanity through categorization.

Categorization was developed to better understand and describe large groups of (_____fill in the blank___). I am sure that the idea seemed innovative at the time, but has its purpose and utility inverted and transitioned into the enslavement of large groups of (___fill in the blank___)? We use words like BLACK, JEW, GHETTO, POOR, AIDS, WOMAN, MEXICAN, YOUNG, CRIMINAL, ADDICT, MAN, DUMB, "ARABIC", HOODLUM AND "DIRTY" to stigmatize and dissociate from that which is not us. Yet, each adjective can be used to describe a human person...a PERSON. I thus ask you, are we not all people? It seems like an easy question, but many complicate it by taking into account these categories that only seem to separate us more from one another. Compartmentalizing one aspect of the whole and deeming it value over a human's entirety. We use them to validate and justify the misfortune that occurs in this world, to easy and comfort our anxiety for not helping, to attribute blame and find scapegoats, to wipe one's hands clean and say, "that's because they are (___fill in the blank___).

We turn a blind eye to what's happening around us and we separate ourselves and do nothing about it because it "has nothing to do with me". I am here to tell you THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS AROUND YOU HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOU. Do not read this, sit there, think about it and refute what I've just told you, because if you are honest with yourself, real with yourself you'll be mad* as you find yourself in agreement.

Never mind that person that said that you were too small to impact HUGE change. Believe that just a hand full of small people have the power to impact hugely. All around you there are people dying, suffering, in need...these are the categories that need our attention. It is these categories that need to unity us, bring us to the forefront to fight for humanity, equality, rights, purpose...existence.

Marvin Gay sang "What's going on", and a few years back the same song was remade by the All-Star Tribute to bring awareness to the AIDS fight. While it has been of tremendous influence to have artists bring forth social justice issues, I urge people to take it upon themselves to educate themselves on what's happening and how they can help in increasing and or reducing for the better. You are one person, with one voice, that knows many people. Make life about others, as we are social beings, and as social beings we need to be conscious of our social well-fare. Hand in hand we can make the world a better place. Irrelevant is the fact that you will be trampled on, why? because when you get back up, you'll already know your enemy's tactic; you'll be at an advantage.

Don't let categories push you away from saving, fulfilling, existing...