"Much ado about nothing...."

I haven't written in a very long time.  I guess my priority was not on writing, but more on working...  Not sure if that is a good thing, or a bad thing, or just nothing at all...  Whatever the case, I am back at it.

I bet you are wondering what's up with that Cheerios picture.  Well, with all this controversy about the new ad I thought I'd weigh in too.  after all, I have a big mouth and I love stating MY opinions.  Wink Wink.

Cheerios!!!  How could you do this?  How could  you advertise using a biracial family?  After all, families are only one race!

I don't get what the uproar is all about?  Aren't we all multi-racial/cultural?  Don't you ever talk to your friend who will proclaim that she is Swedish, Irish and Scottish?  Or your other friend will say he is Italian, Irish and Portuguese?  Or how about that Asian family down the street who you think is just "Asian", after all Asia is just one Country, right?   Or what about that beautiful African-American woman you saw on the Voice - wait, WHAT?!?!  Her father is African-American, but her mother is an Asian woman?  Wait, that doesn't happen here in America!!!!  Right?

HELLO EVERYONE THAT LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND AROUND THE GLOBE:  We are all mixed up, I mean mixed race!  Is there such a thing as a "pure race" anymore?  HA!  In my humble opinion, I would have to say a big resounding NO!  Wait, let me take that back.  You may be able to find some indigenous people in the Jungles of Africa, or in the Rainforests of the Amazon, that may have pure-ish genes, who knows?  But, I think it is rare.

I love how when commercials or pictures or whatever are televised or advertised on billboards, there is an uproar of people sounding off negatively.  Do you think it is the majority or minority?  I would have to say the minority, since we are all of multi-cultures and races.

I have been reading what a lot of people are saying both negatively and positively and thankfully we have the right of Freedom of Speech where we are able to say what is on our minds.  I love what this brings forth...  DISCUSSIONS!!!

I love reading about the people who "hate when people ask me what nationality or race I am."  I think a lot of us get that question.  Right?  I mean, I can't count how many times people ask me, "what are you?"  I used to be annoyed by that question and give people a flippant answer, "I'm American".  But then I realized, they are asking because they are curious about me, about my culture, about where I came from and who I am.  I have embraced that.  Love it, actually, because I know I am a little bit different than their norm.  I, to them, am the face of diversity.  Why wouldn't I love that?  I rather someone ask me, then just assume I am Chinese, because, quite honestly, that is what most people just say.  Well, no I am not Chinese, and well, no I do not know Karate, and well, NO, I don't speak another language, though, I wish I did.

I love being "different".  My family is quite multi-cultural, and I absolutely love being part of it.  I love to now look back on my childhood and remember the confused stares that we had received by passers-by.  I truly appreciate now why people were so baffled.  I love the story my dad tells me of when I was just a tiny baby and he and my family were vacationing at the beach, and one morning he was walking me in my carriage on the beach when a few kids came over talking to my dad asking if I would have a hard time learning English.  It was those silly questions now that I laugh about how ignorant people can be, but how innocent that question truly was.

We are curious. And without being curious we wouldn't have all the luxuries and wonderful things in our lives as we do.  We want to learn and understand.  There are those few minority people that don't want to learn, that don't care to know who you are and where you came from.  So we should embrace those that are curious, that do want to know how you got that dark skin tone, or those blue eyes, or long curly hair when you should have straight "Asian" hair.

Thank you Cheerios for starting another great discussion, as of course, there will be many more controversial ads, commercials, news reports, etc.  But for now, just embrace the fact that these discussions are what keep our curiosity going.  That keep us being who we are most, which is HUMAN.

And to those friends who are asked every day, "What are you?"  Don't be upset or angry about it, be happy someone is that interested in knowing who you are!