With all the discussion of Trans Americans being removed from military service, with no other reason because they are “different.” I can’t help but think – these brave people want to support and protect our country and our rights but because of prejudice they will be refused to fight and serve. The Tao Te Ching states “the more we travel the less we know.” Meaning the more we learn the more questions arise. The more we learn about ourselves the more ineffectual it seems we are becoming. I know that we have come a long way and we still have places to go and many things to learn but this prejudice group is small – powerful but small. With the right about of education and gathered voices we will evoke change in our country.

Prejudice

“DARN! I can handle stupidity… rudeness… crudity… but I’ve suffered enough blind prejudice to last me a lifetime! When are people going to learn that different doesn’t equal evil?” - Iceman*

Many superheroes are feared and misunderstood. The most misunderstood are the mutants. The X-men, nature’s deviation from Homo Sapiens, a mutation in the human DNA. Each mutant is given a power. One of the original X-men is Bobby Drake, Iceman. Bobby can freeze the moisture around him covering his body in ice and creating icy objects. Homo Sapiens do not understand, or trust the mutants. They fear the mutants. The thing that the X-men fight the most is the prejudice that is placed on them for being different.

Americans, Blacks, Democrats, Canadians, Baptists, Frenchmen, Koreans, Italians, Africans, Iranians, Jews, Chinese, Greeks, Brazilians, Mexicans, Catholics, Gay people, Republicans, Straight people, Farmers, City Dwellers, Southerners and Whites all have something in common – the Planet Earth. We are all human, with the same feelings and emotions. All Catholics are not exactly alike. All Brazilians are not exactly alike. Certainly all Americans are not alike. Instead of being prejudice toward another people we should celebrate the diversity that is the planet Earth. We are all reaching for the same goals, why fight? Why put someone down? Why hinder their advancement? If we help each other, then we will reach our goals together.

Iceman
First Appearance: Uncanny Xmen #1, 1963

Creators: Stan Lee (script), and Jack Kirby (art)

* “The Fuse!” Iceman #1, Dec. 1984