Day 397 ~ I Am Second Challenge Day 17 of 22

This is Day 17 of my challenge... {and} my seventeenth video... 

... Ken Hutcherson... was raised in Alabama, in a time that racism was not only blatant, but flagrant as well.  At a mere age of five he was given a life lesson by his uncle which not only took his innocence, but planted hatred in his heart.  He practiced racism for years with such anger and hatred, and it wasn't until many years later when he learned that Jesus died on the cross for everyone... every skin color... that his heart softened.  Today not only is he a Pastor {in Washington state) in a multiracial church... but he is Second. 

Ken Hutcherson: I am Second

After watching today's video I hugged my daughter for what seemed an eternity.  Why?  Because she is five {and a half} years old and I can not even begin to fathom someone taking her innocence away... let alone let it be a family member... let alone filling her heart with hatred.

My heart literally ached for Ken.  This little boy's life was changed and his heart was replaced with a heart of stone.  No child should feel or experience hate... ever!

At about the same age I learned about prejudice and racism myself.  I am Latin as you know (Argentina/Peru), however I do not look as if I am.  I was made fun of by all the "white" girls because I had a last name that wasn't American (whatever that means) and spoke funny (Spanish accent)... and I was not accepted by the few Latins that existed at the time in Los Angeles {late 60s early 70s} either, because I did not look the part.  

Yes... you read right... there weren't very many Latins in Los Angeles at the time.

Anyhooo... as I grew older and my English perfected, I still was not easily accepted by schoolmates (girls)... but that did not stop me from standing up for those who did not have a voice.  No... I did not get into fights or anything like that, I just preferred to hang out with the underdog as opposed to the popular bunch.

Today, I still experience racism.  I live in town where the majority of its residents are Mexican.  As I mentioned I do not look Latin... however I do speak Spanish fluently and understand it just as well.  

I can not tell you how many times I have heard remarks made of the racial persuasion...  

I can not tell you how many times I have responded back to these people really sweet in Spanish (funny, each time the person being ugly has been an older woman).  

{and} I can not tell you how many times I wish I would have taken a picture of them as their chin dropped to the ground!

I don't get mad or even... I just strike back with kindness.

We are Second when we put Jesus First.  Seconds are bold to lift up Jesus and tell others.  Are you ready to become a stronger Second?

I challenge YOU to take the I Am Second [22] Day Challenge... Can you spare maybe fifteen minutes in a day?

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  ~John 13:34-35 (NIV)

I AM SECOND.

[here's to you finding your... ]

Peace...

... for a, l & c.  You are my sunshine(s).  

Images are courtesy of google or Bing images.  Some images maybe labeled property of Carla Barila Karam and of this blog, Took It... Making It... Living It... My Life .  © 2012  U.S Copyright Laws apply.