At the 3rd Pan Collegiate Conference on the Mixed Race Experience at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, over the February 6-7, 1999 weekend, I had the pleasure to deliver a lecture entitled, "The mixed-race community being at the forefront of freeing Americans from outdated ways of racial thinking -- toward an embrace of humanity." Actually, I added that last bit about humanity too late for conference coordinators to include it in the printed programs. In the weeks leading up to the event, I grew increasingly uncomfortable with presenting a vision simply of moving beyond this country's obsession with "race." Where do we go from there?

What I said was so provocative and frank -- daring even to emphasize commonality over the politically-correct godhead of "diversity" -- that it initially took some attendees aback, yet they wanted to hear more. That told me that these kids are already fed up with the lies they constantly hear about who they really are, which "racial," "ethnic" or cultural group they are supposed to pledge allegiance, which political party and philosophy they are supposed to join and to adhere, etc. They are receptive to the idea that what really matters at day's end is what they think about themselves as individuals, not what official "racial" or "ethnic" representatives tell them they should think.

I've long believed that mixed-race folk have not only a golden opportunity but an obligation to guide America beyond antiquated "racial" thinking. Within our individual spheres of influence, no matter how large or small, we must consistently and relentlessly challenge the notion that coerced membership in an artificial grouping is the optimal way to define a human.

The students who assembled at Wesleyan know well that we can readily change the various names, labels, tags and identifiers which we use to present our physical forms, our bodies to the world. We can change them all yet remain unchanged ourselves. Are we, then, our bodies?

The answer is no. We are the life-force, the spirit animating the physical form, and that rings true with everyone at a certain level of consciousness. Though even a cursory consideration of spirituality was the furthest thing from their minds when they entered the room, most of the students in attendance that day left with a higher level of personal awareness of the various labels we use to identify ourselves. They also left with the thought to take note of the individuals they encounter daily who are not so aware, souls who long ago went into agreement with the notion that they are their bodies and, ergo, the names society assigns to their physical forms.

Lecture attendees will also, perhaps, view the "race"/"ethnicity"/culture trinity as an alluring seducement to be avoided -- something to leave in the dust as we move toward humanity and beyond.

This provocative and frank dialogue is perfectly suited for any gathering -- not just for individuals who publicly self-identify as mixed-race. For more information on how your company, agency, school, youth organization, etc. can benefit from this program, contact me for more information by writing to:

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About Charles Michael Byrd

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