Skin Color

I gave a shout out to Russell Simmons and Madonna on a small video interview because the two of them have been promoting the importance of "meditation" to keep balance and clarity in one's life. What surprised me was a comment that a good friend of mine made. He explained to me that too many Latin people give props to Black people and White People, but hardly to our own. At first, I was shocked. Here I was talking about a spiritual concept, and still someone brought up the subject of "race."

However, he did make a valuable point in describing how the Latin community has been going through too many struggles, and that as Latin people we should support and encourage one another to rise up... like the Black people did. Another woman also said, that Latino people tend to gravitate towards either culture more than the other. Meaning, they either watch movies with an all-white cast, or they watch movies with an all-black cast. But if you were to ask them, "Have you seen 'EL CANTANE' starring Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony?", most of them would answer "no," because it didn't do well in ticket sales.

Again, I couldn't understand what any of this had to do with being spiritually aware of our connection as a species, but then again I could. People still feel like there are other issues that take precedence over studying world wide philosophies because of the conditions that some of us are living in.

But in my opinion, I personally feel that as an individual, we must first see ourselves as connected to a higher source that is all loving and powerful, before we can expect to see change or heal our condition if we feel "separated" from it. And yes, I do acknowledge myself as a proud Latin woman, but I am MORE than just my culture, my heritage, and my gender... I am awakened to my spiritual purpose and because of that, I lead my own life in a responsible way and only hope that other's will do the same. However, my culture and race does not define me completely because even if it did, well as a Latina, I would have to remember that Latin people are a mixed breed of people who have roots from many different countries besides Spain. We have African roots as well as Indian and in some cases, even Dutch, and more! So therefore, especially, as Latin people we have to remain open minded and universally aware of the many different elements that have shaped us as a people who are just one part of the bigger scheme of life. Furthermore, we have a little bit of everything in us... Even Asian! Because Philippines speak Spanish and have common names such as "Maria"...

So do you see? When it really boils down to it, people are all connected. Just look down at your family tree. And forget that... because then we'll always look to the past and it's not so much about that as it is about our future. We are "evolving", "expanding", "creating a new race as we continue mixing"... and this is a good thing because honestly, it is love that feeds true growth. (I believe and support biracial relationships because as a Latin woman, my roots are biracial!) And so the message of looking beyond the surface of our exterior and into the depths of our souls is the message that I believe Russell Simmons tries to convey through his speeches and meditative practices, and so does Madonna. And now, I am conveying that same message, as a Latin representative, "myself."

Faith is blind. And the color of our skin... only scratches the surface as to who we really are.

Skin Color

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