Apathy: For Better or Worse?

Okay, after two more tests, maybe I'm a little too indifferent for my own good. I am apathetic towards Arab Muslims/other people, fat/thin people and heterosexual/homosexual people but I show a strong automatic preference for darker-skinned people?

I mean, please tell me someone else out there shares these results? A lot of people have started being biased against Arab Muslims, especially after 9/11. MTV and Hollywood has always been in favour of thin, lithe little models. And gays, let's not get me started on how they are portrayed in the media (usually as flamboyant, over-the-top types, which is more of a personality thing than a sexuality thing).

Should I be this indifferent? I watch a lot of TV. I read a lot. I should somewhat be affected by all these environmental factors right? Am I a bloody robot, for God's sake?

I'm not saying I should hate Arab Muslims, fat people or homosexual people. But surely it's normal to be slightly affected? I know enough to realize that I cannot be perfect and although I try hard not to dislike people based on non-personality-traits, I really expected that I subconsciously had some preferences.

I once asked my friend, who is Muslim herself, if she would date an Arabic guy, and she was like, "Urgh, no way". I did not understand the disgust because some of them are actually really cute! She said it's the culture, but I mean, how much do we know about their culture? What about some American stereotypes like being 'white trash'? I'm sorry I have to be derogatory but there's no other way to put it.

Compare an alcoholic, balding, unemployed Caucasian guy with a beer gut who lives in a trailer and then, on the other hand, the prince of Saudi Arabia who is very much Muslim. Suddenly, the Arab Muslim is the "strong automatic preference', eh? This just goes to show that it's never about the race, or the weight, or the height, or the money, or the age, or any one thing in particular; it's the person, as a whole, a coming-together of many factors, if you may.

I think reading is very important to overcome racial barriers. 'To Kill A Mockingbird' changed a lot about how I see the world. Heck, I can't even remember the storyline now (I read it when I was in primary school or early secondary; back then, I read EVERYTHING, including shampoo bottle labels and classifieds). Once you see life through someone else's eyes, you understand that it is never black or white, right or wrong. Is it just me or does reading do that for everyone?

P/S: Sorry, I know these last two posts are not funny but I think this is a serious issue that I want to address. Recommended reading: 'Blink' by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm only halfway through it but I would love to discuss it with anyone who has read it! Too interesting!

P/P/S: Don't you just hate Stephen Baldwin on 'The Celebrity Apprentice'? You can be religious without trying to shove it down the throats of everyone in the vicinity. Love God in your HEART. And while you're at it, try not to be such a baby and a hypocrite.