"You can't judge a book by it's cover."

At some time or another we have heard friends or relatives express this thought with a serious or concerned tone in their voice. To most, this is merely a series of words used to counsel someone who pre-judges individuals and their surroundings. Most of us overlook the under lying meaning of such sayings; we simply choose not to listen for the moral or meaning of the phrase. Instead we merely nod our heads in agreement and pretend to hear what ever is being said to us. It is difficult not to pre-judge people.

For instance, let's say there's a police car at 7-11. You're driving passed and notice a black or Hispanic running from that general area. What are you're first thoughts? Now use the same scenario except the running person is now a well-groomed white man. How do you perceive this situation?

There is a public service announcement which is a good visual example of typical categorization. The advertisement begins with a group of guys talking, high-fiveing, and caring on, displaying that they are comfortable with each others company. They are all wearing paper bags over their heads, concealing their physical appearance. Then they begin to remove the paper bags, and the realization of their differences set in. The single group of guys slowly form into individual groups, according to their color. Once the black and whites establish their individual group, a glaring look of confrontation develops. The announcement closes by asking why can't we all be color blind, and why can't we all get along?

We have all unjustifiably pre-judged individuals, and placed them into categories because of his or her physical appearance, before we have a chance to get to know his or her inner qualities. If we could only stop talking about the many different covers and start reading the books we all have inside us. Peace, love, and the fall of racism would become a reality.

Don't judge the cover before reading the entire book.

An origianl written by Kim Measells