I was making myself some breakfast and I had a choice to make. Due to the recent egg shortage I bought some eggs I don’t usually buy.

I honestly don’t like to buy brown eggs. Yeah, I know, “eggs are eggs.” But I grew up on white shells and it’s weird to me. I know that it’s fine. I’ve cooked brown eggs many times and it’s true, they’re just eggs. But I honestly still have a preference that’s completely not rooted in facts.

So this morning, when I went to grab eggs from the fridge, I had to decide do I save my last two white eggs from the previous carton and use them for baking, or do I cook one of them for my breakfast this morning (knowing I have a whole carton of eggs that I haven’t touched, yet). And that’s when I started thinking about it….

I know the eggs are the same, or at least they’re the same in all the ways that count. And out of habit, and for my comfort with what’s familiar, I choose to make it as if something’s wrong with those brown eggs. Ain’t sh*t wrong with those brown eggs. And I know that… when I actually use my intelligence.

I’m gonna let you in on a secret. You know how I decide what’s fact and what’s opinion masquerading as fact? I look at nature.

I believe that if something is actually factual, it replicates in nature. Whether it’s a religious belief, societal expectation, or sexual identity, if I’m trying to get down to the core of what I believe (beyond what anyone thinks I should believe), I look at nature.

And you know what I’ve found? Most of the stuff we debate about isn’t debatable when we look at nature. It’s all there. Do the research for yourself, like I did, and you’ll find that all the answers are right in front of us.

And you know what I realized? When I looked at nature and saw that much of what we view as wrong, evil, inferior, and just not the way it’s supposed to be TOTALLY exists in every other species, I realized somebody is lying BIG TIME.

And when people tell big lies, they either have big gains or a lot to lose.

So I started thinking about who gains the most when these lies are told. How do we know who’s lying? And the funniest bit of clarity came to me.

So let’s look at racial stereotypes for example. The quickest answer to who is behind them is to notice how it’s skewed. Think of three racial stereotypes you know. (This doesn’t make you racist. Just go there in your mind. Don’t write ’em down. lol) What do you notice?

When I thought about this one day while driving (and recording my podcast), I realized that one group was not included in the list of the stereotypes I’ve heard. All the stereotypes were very negative toward every group of people except one. I bet you can’t guess which one.

The thing about stereotypes and racism is that when we really look at it, our negative opinions regarding beauty and autonomy and rights and responsibility all serve to benefit the desires of a particular group. And the thing about it is that the message is shared in all groups. So we fight each other and view each other as the problem, rather than look at the group that’s teaching us to hate each other.

I remember in school, when I was working on my master’s, I asked my professor why two groups seemed to have such an issue coming together, when they really have so much in common. And after some thought my professor said, “Maybe it’s because both groups are looking at each other through the eyes of the powers that be.” I will never forget his words.

Racism is stupid for those of us who stand to lose because of it. Racism is a powerful tool for those who stand to win because of it.

We need to get clear on which group we belong to and realize who our real allies need to be and act accordingly.

There’s a strong chance that I’m going to add a podcast episode to this one, above, so circle back if I haven’t posted one. I had more to say, but I actually want to eat my egg and the rest of my breakfast. lmao

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist