I try not to describe people – I always get it wrong. I feel we don’t need descriptions or labels. I stay out of conversations that get in my way spiritually. I will stand up for myself. I will stand up for my political views. I will stand up for my sexuality. However, these do not describe who I am. In reading this simple daily project you will probably find out more about me than any description could give. I am so much more than the limited labels people put on me. You are so much more than those limited labels. I can still be your friend despite the labels – there is so much more to talk about other than the labels.

Minimalizing the Character

“I think every time you take a female character, a black character, a Hispanic character, a gay character, and make that the point of the character, you are minimalizing the character.” - Len Wien*

Ororo Munroe was born in Kenya as a princess her mother met and married American David Munroe. The new family moved to Harlem and then to Egypt. During an air attack the Ororo’s parents were killed and Ororo was orphaned. Being trapped in the wreckage of the attack Ororo developed Claustrophobia. She wanders Cairo and the Serengeti as a skilled street thief. As a teen when her mutant abilities of controlling the weather manifested she was considered a goddess. Eventually Professor Charles Xavier, Professor X, recruited Ororo Munroe to join the X Men as Storm. Storm became the leader of the X Men. Storm, is an inspiration for many young heroes and girls.

When we let people’s descriptions, physical appearance, sexuality or even political affiliations get in the way we lose so much more. No matter what we look like, who we vote for, the spiritual practice we have, or who we love is not who we are. Who we are is based on the feelings and emotions we have. Don’t “minimalize the character” simply because they are different. We are people – brothers and sisters. We are trying to reach the same goal – a happy product life. Would it be better to help each other reach that goal not by changing people but by learning about them and accepting them for who they are?

Storm
First Appearance: Giant Sized X-Men, #1 (May 1975)

Creators: Len Wien (writer) Dave Cockrum (art)

*”Legendary Comics Creators Dismiss Sexism Critiques, Say ‘The Comics Follow Society. They Don’t Lead’”, by Alyssa Rosenberg, posted on August 8, 2013, www.thinkprogress.org