by Marjorie Young

The topic of ‘prejudice’ has been all over the news of late. The lovely city of Charlottesville, Virginia moved front and center when torch-bearing Nazis, Klansmen, and white supremacists marched through town bellowing Anti-Semitic slogans and hatred towards anyone of color. That this was occurring in twenty-first century America rather than 1930s Berlin made the scene all the more incomprehensible. But while our nation was founded on the ideal of liberty for all, it also permitted slavery and genocide of Native Americans. Clearly, oppression has always been a part of our national fabric.

Bigotry is something I find bewildering. Certainly, we may dislike our obnoxious neighbor, a toxic family member, or a creepy co-worker and we’re hardly obliged to admire everyone equally. But a blanket vilification of an entire ethnic group, religion, or nationality is beyond senseless. Perhaps it springs from innate sense of inferiority. There’s an old adage that ‘some people can only feel taller by cutting off the heads of others.’ The act of putting down another group means we can view ourselves as ‘superior.’ This is not a sign of a happy human being.

Another handy use for prejudice is that ‘the other’ (fill in your own blank) is responsible for all your woes and that all obstacles would vanish if only ‘they’ would be ‘dealt with.’ A great challenge for any person is to assume responsibility for one’s own decisions/shortcomings/failures, and then take steps to rectify them. That applies equally to individuals or nations. But the allure of scapegoating continues, notwithstanding it proves ruinous to whoever employs it.

Being a psychic, I’m no stranger to prejudice, which may vary from ‘good-natured’ ribbing to outright threats. I’ve been accused of being a fraud, a swindler, a liar, in cahoots with Satan (never quite figured out that one), doomed to hell, or simply called ‘insane.’ These accusations aren’t from clients, but rather from strangers compelled to deliver their condemnation of any professing psychic abilities. Once on a long plane trip, I’d chatted for several hours with a fellow passenger and we got on famously. But upon belatedly learning my profession, he literally turned his back on me the rest of the flight! Fortunately, I found this amusing rather than insulting.

I saw an interesting story recently. ‘Jake’ had been a white supremacist all his life. Eventually, he was sent to prison, where his views only hardened. Upon release, he cemented his ‘tough guy’ image by getting a pit bull, knowing they were ‘vicious and intimidating’ dogs. The problem was…his pooch turned out to be a sweetheart; good tempered, loyal, and affectionate. The dog’s unconditional love softened Jake’s heart in an unexpected way…and he found himself defending ‘Boomer’ when others condemned him due to this breed’s dark reputation. Unjustified accusations about his pal led Jake to realize he’d been doing the same towards minority groups. Upon reflection, his prejudice fell away and Jake now views individuals as unique and worth getting to know.

The world stays the same and evolves at the same time. If Aliens from another galaxy came to earth, they would neither know or care about ‘race’ or ‘religion’ or ‘nationality.’ We would be simply Earthlings in their eyes (if they indeed had any). Someday, we may learn to view ourselves the same way, as part of a unique human family. And hopefully, it won’t require an alien invasion to unite us.

Marjorie is available for readings at the Ballard Sunday Market (weather permitting), her Ballard home, or by phone.

Please email her: myballardpsychic@gmail.com

See her fantasy/adventure series: www.theboywithgoldeneyes.com