This morning I received a message from a friend. He probably did not know that I considered him a friend because we have only shared brief conversations. We are both football fans especially when it comes to talking about the Indianapolis Colts. We both watched our kids grow up in the world of Martial Arts. I really respect how he trained alongside his daughter. I am inspired by his Martial Arts training so I have started to train. Our conversations were usually about the Colts and our kids. However, one day, I told him about the chronic pain in my left middle and index fingers. Several days later at a practice session, he gave me a magnetic healing bracelet that could possibly relieve my constant pain.

The bracelet did not relieve my pain but his small jester of kindness gave me motivation to keep striving to improve my health.

It has probably been a couple of years since we have shared a conversation but today, he sent me a message via Facebook. The message reads:

“I consider you intelligent and reasonable and I would love to hear what your thoughts are on the current movements.”

I have reputation to protect. I am very long winded with my answers and I am proud of that.

We are humans first and foremost. Devoid of our mental, physical and visual differences. We Humans have a lot in common. One of the most important concepts we share is Time. Time to live and time to die. We can learn how to prosper or fail down our paths of life. Of course, we have more in common than time. As babies, we were born without the concept of mistreating or doing harm to another human. As humans, we have the capacity to think, learn, make decisions and change if need be. Is it a pipe dream that we can unlearn some of the bad ideology we have experienced along our life paths.

Currently, we are struggling against two invisible enemies. One of our enemies, the COVID 19 is a foe where we may find a way to suppress or eliminate in the near future. The COVID 19 virus does not discriminate or judge, it causes serious near-death discomfort or it just kills humans. On the other hand, we have an enemy that has plagued our society for generations. Racial and Gender prejudice and discrimination are the symptoms of this enemy. It causes humans to suffer physical or mental abuse or even death in some instances. Without any drug intervention, we Humans can beat and eliminate this terror.

Right now, we are in the state of irony because social distancing is one of the main modalities used to reduce the spread of the COVID 19 scourge. In the time for social distancing, it’s time that we unite to eliminate inequality once and for all.

We have all experienced some form of prejudice within our lifetimes but some more than others. Being treated differently because of our human traits has got to be very painful emotionally and physically. It has to burn deep down in the core of our hearts and souls. Everybody wants to be accepted regardless of their physical attributes. It’s time to fix our human relations. Time is on our side as far as how we can promote equality and overcome the abusive treatment of our brothers and sisters.

At the tender age of 61, I have dealt with discrimination all of my life. As I traveled my life path, I felt or rather I know that I was treated differently because of my gender and skin color. When I was 100 pounds overweight, people said some discouraging things about and to me. Maybe it was to motivate me to lose weight but at the time it hurt. I am good at hiding my emotions.

I hope I get this right about that old saying “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover”. I think a lot of us profile or make a determination about one another based on physical traits. As a child, I was taunted, threatened, and bullied by what I considered my peers. Even the respected parental figures such as teachers were sometimes very cruel. I’ve heard this law term quoted countless times on television,” That you are innocent until proven guilty”. Maybe I am crazy but I believe that our courts along with judges and juries are the process we all agreed that will determine the guilt or innocence of our fellow humans. Any punishment for bad behavior is also determined in the courts. I hope our justice system does not allow Police officers to act as judge, jury, and executioner. If there is no immediate danger to other humans in the vicinity of the crime. No one should be beaten or killed by law officers. Besides, I thought the police tagline is to “Protect and Serve”. Mr. Floyd was accused of passing a counterfeit $20 bill to purchase a pack of cigarettes. Even if Mr. Floyd did the crime, it did not warrant the abusive behavior from the officers especially since he was not resisting or attempting to assault them or anyone else. People committed suicide, lost their businesses when Bernie Madoff stole billions and he is alive to tell his story. When you look at how that officer of the law has his knee pressing down on Mr. Floyd’s neck. And then how Mr. Floyd is pleading for his life saying “I can’t breathe.” Somehow this is how some people feel about the social aspects of cultural differences living in America. Feeling like you can’t breathe is symbolic of how some people feel about living in our society.

People in leadership or celebrity status and with financial means have almost immediate access to the far-reaching television and reading audiences where he or she can voice his or her frustrations or objections eg…Drew Brees, Lebron James, and the President.

Protesting is just human annoyance coming forward. People of lesser means that are frustrated when he or she sees or experience unjust behavior go unpunished or policies that promote inequality or other circumstances that screams human defeat. Since they do not have that access to the media or direct contact with leadership their only alternative is to take to the streets to get the attention of leaders and media outlets. I know I get frustrated when I see something that looks unjust or unfair.

However, I definitely do not agree with destroying property, looting businesses, or assaulting others. I say let them protest until they are tired.

Protesting is an American tradition. It is the foundation of our Nation. Protesting is what lead to our ultimate freedom from the British. eg…the Boston tea party, the beginning of the revolution.

Early on I emphasize the concept of time because we have time to eat, drink and sleep. So we can take time to build and improve our Human relations.

Some people may think I am naive about life but I have made it my life commitment to be kind and caring as I go about my daily travels. I have gotten into trouble because some people are not accustomed to kindness from a stranger. But, we are not strangers. We are humans being humans.

Treat others as you would have them Treat You. My wish is for world peace and global love.

Gregory Heeter