Shades of Diversity

Sunday, February 12, 2012 Posted by Joline

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My Mom would never buy me the Crayola crayon box that held 64 colors. You know, the one with the built in sharpener? I begged every school year.

Boy did I envy that box - and any kid that had one.

While my smaller box contained white, brown, and black crayons, (plus all the primary colors), the 64-count contained such goodies as Apricot, Burnt Sienna, and even Maize. Not to mention Copper, Gold, and Silver! How could I expect to churn out decent elementary art without the assistance of Cornflower?

I grew up outside of Washington D.C. And while my neighborhood was primarily white, my school district was not. I don't remember a time when I didn't know a family with a different racial or ethnic background from my own. A favorite childhood memory was singing songs from Annie for the grandmother of my friend Jhoo Hee, for Grandma always promised me Korean food for my performances - even though she couldn't speak English or understand a word I sang.

Our high school was colorful. Just like that box of 64 crayons. It's what I knew. It just . . . was. A box of 32 just wouldn't cut it.

When Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor, I do believe he was speaking about that entire box of 64 crayons. After all, God most definitely used all those shades (and more) when He created us.

Different colors, races, ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and even, GASP denominations!

Familiarize yourself with the whole box. Sure makes for more interesting art . . .



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