If you live in New York City, then you know that there are currently two cases in the media that involve racism. The cases of Amadou Diallo and Abner Louima. With those two cases in the media, combined with the crisis in Kosovo, I have been thinking a lot lately about the issue of racism.

For as long as man has existed, there has been racism in one form or another. From slavery to discrimination to outright bigotry, members of some races have endured the atrocities of others. Racism is everywhere: in our workplaces, our schools, our communities and even on our televisions. We hear about it every day on TV and we read about it every day in the newspapers. And sometimes – we experience it first hand – and then we really know the severity of racism in this country.

My opinion, whatever the color of your skin is, we all bleed the same color, cry the same tears, breathe the same air, and feel the same pain. While our languages may differ, the need to speak does not. Our religions may be different, but our belief in a higher power is the same. So what’s so different?

No one should be prejudice. But if you have to be, hate the right people. Hate the person who is in front of you in a crowd that is walking two miles an hour who you can’t get past. Hate the person ordering fast food in front of you that can’t make up his mind. Hate the person in the movie theatre that won’t shut up. And, most importantly, hate the people in this world that are prejudice.

I mean, after all, we’re all part of the same race – the human race – aren’t we?