Driving to work the other day, I almost hit a rabbit trying to scurry across the street. I stopped the car, of course, and hurried the creature along in my mind, urging its tiny feet to hop, hop, hop. It was so adorable with gray and white fluffy fur, little eyes looking up at me in fear. Another car approached in the other direction and for a moment fear struck my heart, visualizing the cottontail leaving the safety of my auto only to be struck by one coming the other way. All was well, however, as the other car also stopped, obviously as mesmerized as I was. Well, maybe not … the other driver laid on his horn so loudly I jumped in my seat, and the rabbit crossed the street with one big jump.

By way of contrast, while looking for the lantern in the garage to prepare for Henri, a rat scurried in front of me. Of course, I screeched, although intellectually I knew it could be killed by a stomp of my foot. Instead of scooting away, the stupid, ugly gray rat stood up on its back 2 feet and made eye contact. I screeched again. How I hated that rat!

Coincidentally, as though it could ease my mind, my IPhone flashed an ad during my Words with Friends game with a friend. It was from a pet shop, touting the variety of pets offered. RATS! It offered RATS! How could that be? Who would want an ugly, dirty RAT for a pet? Come to find out, a rat makes a good pet. They are highly intelligent and love to play simple games. They keep themselves groomed and are extremely clean. They have their own personalities and are very affectionate. They are reportedly more affectionate than gerbils and hamsters and will nuzzle owners with their noses as a sign of affection. Although I still wouldn’t want a pet rat, I at least looked at them a little differently.

That night, the eve of Henri, nightmares plagued me. Pictures of flood waters and trees smashing through our picture window filled my head, and another disturbing thought plagued me; yes, I loved that rabbit, and yes, I hated that rat … but are those feelings symptomatic of a bigger problem? Without meaning to, could I possibly be similarly judgmental about people? Could this be the basis of prejudice?

Having the benefit of being raised with a brother who was severely disabled, I feel I am accepting of all individuals with disabilities on equal terms. However, can I honestly say that acceptance extends to individuals of different races? I would like to think so. My children who are adopted are of different races/nationalities, with a daughter who is of the Indigenous population, (Mayan Indian) from Guatemala, a son from Puerto Rico, and a son who is Portuguese. I remember when they were young and I took them shopping, observers would look at my Swedish frame and their darker complexions, and the comment was often made that “they must look just like their father!”

While I think that prejudice is not in me, I am ashamed to say that may not necessarily be true. If I am walking down the street alone at night and a perfectly fine African American gentleman is walking behind me, my feet may quickly, automatically cross over to the other side. (Of course, even if a Caucasian gentleman was walking behind me, I would do the same thing, due more to my being a woman alone followed by a man.)

The rabbit I loved, the rat I didn’t based on misperceptions. I try hard not to have misperceptions about people and truly believe we are all created equal. This does not mean that we are all the same. Each of us is different in our own special way, but we have common qualities and traits that make us human. We should each be treated and treat others with kindness, respect, and dignity. Someday we may be held accountable for how we have lived our lives.