When You're A Racist, You Really Miss Out

I'm in San Francisco for the wedding of two dear friends - They're from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and as of a few hours ago, they're married!

The female half of this dynamic duo is Latina - the male half is Indian. The Hindu ceremony took place tonight and as I sat there watching the two of them become one, I found myself thinking about all the wonderful things racist and prejudiced people miss out on.

They miss out on beautiful weddings that happen to have two people from different backgrounds getting married. They miss out on fab receptions where one moment a professional flamenco dancer is workin' it out on the dance floor - and the next moment, Indian music is playing and everyone's up and grooving... particularly my two sons!

Of course, opening your heart and choosing your friends and your significant other regardless of race, creed or color is about more than just music and dancing. I believe it makes us better people, makes us more whole, makes us connect to who we truly are inside.

Sadly, we all know someone from one background

whose either been romantically interested in someone else from another background, or else they just wanted to be friends - but the relationship never goes anywhere because of racism.

Maybe their friends or family threatened to disown them. Maybe they're concerned about what their colleagues will say. Whatever the reasons may be, they don't connect. They miss out. Their families miss out. Their friends miss out.

Racists, y'all need to get it together because seriously, you're missing out on so much that's beautiful in this world!