The saying goes "Ignorance is bliss." Thomas Gray, I'm not sure where you were going with this. My thoughts? Ignorance can be pain.

When an adolescent looks at you and says, "I hate Chinese people," how are you supposed to react?

I'm not angry with him. I don't even hate him. I'd hug him right now if he were standing in front of me and smile too. The kid suffers from tourette syndrome and I have great sympathy for him; he doesn't know what he's saying...

But I am saddened and frustrated by the fact that racial discrimination is so prominent. That even I contribute to it every now and then. I was privileged and blessed enough to grow up in a large city where, despite the presence of racial discrimination, there was still a greater awareness and exposure to it. I could walk down a block and see someone who had "almond-shaped eyes" or who came from the continent of Asia. I could go to church, look around, and see a crowd of white, black, brown, yellow, red, blue, purple - you name it - people worshiping.

Now, it's a miracle if I see someone who looks even slightly like me. And I didn't realize this ethnic culture shock I was experiencing until this evening.

"I hate Chinese people." I'm frozen.

....

You don't understand. Don't try to justify or rationalize. Let me experience the hurt. Let me try to work through the tears. Let me seek wisdom and knowledge - forgiveness of my sins and those of others.