Differences needn't breed prejudice

I would hate to be a celebrity, whether in politics, entertainment, sports or just a citizen trying to do my duty or because my head was visible above the crowd. Someone would be sure to take umbrage and throw a rock, whether I had done anything wrong or, maybe, just for the hell of it.

I don't know what it is about humans and animals, too. But they often look with suspicion at any who are different from themselves.

Any who stand out in a crowd are different and, thus, suspect. I have seen this as an observant citizen, as a teacher with students and as a country farm-wife with the animals and critters we raised, so am not surprised at racism, profiling and conflict by and among people of all races, colors and origins.

I am, for example, particularly fond of Plymouth (barred rock) chickens. Once I bought a Buff Orpington pullet and raised her separately until adulthood. Put in with adult barred rocks, they picked her to death — actually ate her alive.

Put a white cow in with a black cow herd and she will be attacked and pursued until the black cows become acquainted, then they will still pick on her.

As a teacher, and parent I watched many children victimized by bullies just because they are different. Some were attacked because of the way they dressed — cleanly and well, but not in fashion. Some couldn't afford better.

There were children too thin, too fat or too sloppy who were tortured. Very bright children were teased because they were smart. Special needs children were picked on and called retards. Anythings and nothings were used by the bullies.

The pity of it all is that bullies grow up to be bigger bullies, making trouble wherever they go, spilling hatred in their trail.