Am I Lost?

I had so many thoughts going through my mind while waking up this morning. I realized that I really do take words seriously. Not just words in general, but words and their definitions as well as the intentions behind it (whether it may or may not involve malice). It seems that most people (I was going to use the word individuals, but I decided not to because it is very rare that they can recognize their own individuality that has not been formulated/defined by what is required to be socially "acceptable") really are truly unaware of everything around them. They do not pay attention. They do not evaluate an entire conversation or consider the whole spectrum. Then they give blind responses that they believe are intelligent, but rather they are just restatements of what you just said. As I broaden my social interactions with people and the conversations that we have, whether important or not (most times not because most people can't carry a conversation that goes beyond celebrity mishaps), it makes me feel genuinely sad. At first I used to think, "are people just stupid, uninterested, or lazy??" I am not speaking with the intention to offend, but rather I am speaking from a perspective that is concerned. Which brings me to the following realization and acceptance: it is not anyone's fault. Because it IS so socially acceptable to think and behave a particular way, it has lead us to having not much of a choice but to be groomed by such an environment. Beverly Tatum actually made a point by using smog as an example: if there is smog in the air, we can't help but breathe it and live with the effects. We can try to clean up the air, but regardless, it will still be there.

So where the hell is this rant coming from? My continuous thoughts on not just why society is so pathetic, but also the curiosity to know why certain racial comments or stereotypes exist and why such a limited mindset is so common.

If I am Muslim, why do I have to be a terrorist? Oppressed?
If I am dark skinned, why am I expected to be inept?
If I am of mixed heritage, why don't I have the same validity as someone who is "pure" bred? It's like being brought back to being 3/5ths of a person. (note: White people are not the only ones doing it, there is racism amongst people of color too.)

Instead of asking what is your race, maybe we should refocus our questions to ask what is your identity? Because when it comes down to it, who you are is basically based on how you identify yourself religiously, ethnically/culturally, etc. Some call me Black because my skin is darker than theirs and maybe because I was raised in an environment that was not as financially advantageous as others. Some people think I am a "traitor" because I might take a side from a person who is from a different race (which is silly because I do not think that way, I take sides that is most logical and fair).

But so far... as of this morning, I think my identity is not specifically inclusive.

I identify myself as human
And I am compassionate.