Interesting poem and picture, Maria.

I think the most beautiful person is one who feels comfortable just being him or herself

A great, genuine smile is one of life's best examples of natural beauty.

I'm sure one day people will find out that our bodies are merely a shell. I doubt our souls will be of different color. It should not matter what our skin looks like, whether we have the perfect shaped nose, blue or brown eyes, or if we are short or tall. It's like saying a white car is better than a black car just because of it's color. Is a  yellow car better than a red one? What really matters is what you find under the hood. What really matters is the heart and soul of a man.

Zy, I'm sorry that you are still facing prejudice, especially from your own family.

I am Native American, Scottish, and Acadian French. However, my skin is light. So, I experience prejudice from time to time among my Native American brothers and sisters. I don't always fit in because my skin is not brown enough. Although this is not on the same scale as what you have experienced, Zy, I do have some understanding.

I agree with Zy. People tend to elevate self by looking down on others.

Racist people lose out too, they deprive themselves of possibly meeting a beautiful soul because they cannot look pass the shell.

I have met and learned much from people of all shape, color, and status.

Zy, my use of inanimate objects was just symbolic.

I certainly was not saying that inanimate objects and humans are on the same level.

Under the Hood = What's on the inside of man (thoughts, feelings, values, morals, etc.)

What I was saying is that skin should not matter, even though it does with some people.

Social status should not matter....

Gender should not matter....

Size and age should not matter, etc.

What really matters is the character of man, the heart and soul

"Hy, Storm, I realised you were  refering to  'a car'  metaphorically, but,
it is just that when we witness/read of  so many incidents:happenings throughout history...
amazing features of most abusive  acts is the absence of consideration and the positive  disregard
for the feelings and emotions of the victim as an ordinary every day human being."

Seems like an incomplete sentence, or should I say thought here..

But what?

I shouldn't speak metaphorically?

I don't know how what I said ended up being something that made a serious issue seem unimportant.

I certainly wasn't making light of the feelings and emotions that "victims" of discrimination experience.

If I cannot speak metaphorically then perhaps I should not join in on topics such as this one, because that is often how I get a point across.

I will simply read poetry and participate in the challenges when I can.

Maria, as Zy already told you, there is no need for you to apologize. You did not do anything wrong. Racism is something that should be discussed, not hid under a rug as if it did not exist. I am not mad, but I did feel as if I was being gently reprimanded for using an inanimate object while trying to get a point across.

Zy, you ask how I came to the conclusion that I cannot speak metaphorically?

Well, I guess I should clarify by asking you a question.

How would I know when it is considered appropriate?

Maybe I am wrong, but it seems to me that you disapproved of my use of a car when discussing racism.

I think it was your use of the words "question" and "but" that brought me to that conclusion.

"Mmnnn... it is interesting to hear other people's views on this matter, Storm, and the one thing I question  is that you speak of cars, inanimate objects without feelings, emotions or opinions whereas the fact of the matter is that we actually are speaking of history between the white race and most others who are not."

"Hy, Storm, I realised you were  refering to  'a car'  metaphorically, but, "

I apologize if I am wrong. I will just avoid touchy subjects.

No worries!