Reflections of Me

 I am a white man.  A Caucasian, if you will, with ancestral roots going back almost strictly to the U.K.  I was born in Omaha, Nebraska.  I grew up in Northwestern Iowa.  I came to California in my last year of high school, then spent most if not all of the next 5 years back in Iowa and Nebraska.  Most of my friends were Caucasian growing up. I am also a black man.  And a red, brown, yellow man.  Because what I am, first and foremost, is a American.  I am a product of the wonders of diversity, as well as the mistakes.  I am English, Irish, Scots, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Canadian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Asian, Russian, Indian, Native American, African.  I am here, now, because of the wonder and beauty of what can happen when diverse cultures find a common ground, possess a dream of better things, and work their tails off to try to make it happen. Men and women, from different races, cultures, religions, ba...