Is everything equal?

It was a few months ago, a friend and I were driving through the small farm town of Kouts, just south of where I live. As my friend was driving we saw police lights behind us. After we pulled over, and the police officer came up to the drivers side door, he informed us we had a tail light out. He was very kind, never asked for ID, just informed us of the problem and sent us on our way without issuing a single citation either verbally or written.

I have never had a problem with the police, I have been pulled over a few times in my life, for speeding, lights out, and not wearing a seat belt. Never have I had a bad experience or one that I thought I would end up in jail or even searched for that matter.

That night as we drove north to Valpo, I thought this could have been a very different night if I had been an African American male. At the minimum my ID would have been run, and in all probability I would have been searched and possibly detained for a minor infraction.

I don't know what my expectations are in life as far as fair goes. I just sometimes wonder what it is like not to be in the majority? What it is like to live in a society that is not geared for me? What is it like to live in a world, where I am subserviant to something or someone greater?

I think quite a bit about the world Kyle lives in. Is it fair is it equal? Should it be, should it cater to him, or should he try to succeed in an enviornment that wasn't made for him. One of the sad things for Kyle is his not being able to play at the playground at school. His wheelchair can't manuver the terrain. But is this a question of should the environment be changed for one person, or should it be about the majority?

Even as we think of our family dynamics should Kyle be asked to fit into the culture or should we create culture around him? Should the rythms of life be the "norm" of our society or should we tailor our lives to his?

We have choosen as best we can to build our family culture around Kyle. Is that fair to our other two children? I am not sure, but this is what we have choosen to do.

In an ideal world everything would be equal, but the only way that will happen is when those in the majority- care, love, and nuture those that are different whether it be race, or physical or mental disability.

Whether life is fair or not for Kyle isn't the question rather it is how can we overcome these obstacles to help him be the person God created him to be?