By Dwayne Cogdill

Much has been made of Barack Obama and the issue of race this election year. He is regarded as a “black” man by the media, many in the african american community, and the Republican Party.

Mr. Obama is actually “hoppa,” as we would say at my house. Hoppa is the japanese word for half. His father was african and his mother was caucasian. So, he is half. He does not fit into the category of black or white. He is something else, something new.

This is how I feel about my own children. I have two boys with my lovely japanese american wife. They are not defined by their beautiful almond eyes or their thick heads of espresso hair or their olive skin. They are just themselves, and they are beautiful.

Once when my oldest son was a baby our family dined at 59th & Lex at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. After I paid the bill, we left the restaurant and pushing our stroller we made our way through the outdoor mall. Suddenly, we heard a voice calling out, “wait!, Wait!”

We turned to see the waitress running after us. I checked to see if I had my wallet. As she came near to us she exclaimed, “I just have to see that baby one more time. This is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.”

So, herein lies my disappointment with the whole issue of race in this years election. It has been treated as an issue of bias. It has been used to rally people to an us vs. them cause. It has tried to categorize and stereotype Senator Obama and the rest of us as well. It has been divisive banter about political blocks and constituencies.

Talk of the “race card” is disappointing because rather than cause alarm, it could have been a time of rejoicing. It could have been a time to celebrate our humanity and to behold the wisdom of God. It could have been a great opportunity to talk about design, to talk about the beautiful work of God that is man.

The Bible says that God made man in his own image. In fact Genesis describes for us a great artist at work, and like many great artists God made his self portrait.

We see in Genesis that God puts himself into his work. The creation shows forth his character by bearing his characteristics. (See also Romans 1:20.)

Mankind is special because he bears more of God’s characteristics than anything else God made. The ability to think, dream, dance, sing, and be creative are part of what it means to be human. Moral responsibility, justice, mercy, and love are characteristics we share with our Heavenly Father.

And, race (what we call race) shows forth something wonderful about God. The creation is filled with diversity. God didn’t just make an animal; he made a great diversity of animals. Consider the platypus. He didn’t make just one plant; he made more species of plants than we have been able to count.

Why are interracial children some of the most beautiful children? I believe it’s because God continues even now to create. His imagination is infinite. The Bible says that eye has not seen nor ear heard of the beautiful things God has planned for those who love him. 

A person, any person, is of great value. When a person is lost, we loose sight of an aspect of God. When we mindlessly and condescending categorize people, we are shutting our eyes and ears to God’s revelation.

This is why the Bible says that anyone who hates his brother does not know God. To know and love God is manifest in knowing and loving your neighbor.

When we encounter a person who is different from ourselves, we should not be suspicious or fearful. We should be filled with anticipation at what the great artists will reveal to us.

I long for a day when a man can simply be accepted for who he is. Despite all the categorization, a man is most of all and more than anything a child of God. He is made in the image and likeness of the Creator. He is red and yellow, black and white; he is beautiful.

You!  You are beautiful, and God loves you. Open your mind; open your heart.

Sincerely,

St. Dwayne of Orange County

I borrowed the above photo from the new Banana Republic

holiday mailer. Hats off to Banana Republic for showing a

beautiful interracial couple in this year’s advertising. 

www.bananarepublic.com