Why do school children, or people in general, have to be categorized by race? Why as human beings do we so naturally focus on each others differences? And why do we tend to focus on them in a negative light instead of celebrating them?

Maybe I’m a little naive, but I wish race could just be taken out of the equation altogether and people could be treated as individuals.

I understand that schools need to collect background information about students so they can meet the needs of the children, especially if the school is to help a child learn a new language. I understand the reasoning and practicalities for government and schools, but it still doesn't sit well with me.

I feel the situation the state's School Choice Act has created in Decatur - of white students not being able to transfer to another district because of their race, while Hispanics and other races can - sends a bad message to kids, parents and the community. A message that Hispanics, Whites and other races are different from each other. That they deserve to be treated differently because of the color of their skin or where they were born.

It tells Hispanics that they are somehow underprivileged, so they deserve special treatment - a rather insulting message, I think, in a land of opportunity where are all created equal. It tells Whites that their child's race is more important to the schooldistrict and state than what is actually best for that child.

Considering my religious views and my secular interpretation of the Constitution, I believe that all people are God's children and created equal and should be treated as such. They are different colors, shapes, sizes and cultures because God likes variety - just look at all the different colors, shapes and sizes of the flowers he made, all the flavors of vegetables. Do you think the same master artist and scientist who created the more than 2 million species known to science - and the many others yet to be discovered - is boring enough to make all people look alike? The same God that paints the sunsets?

OK, I will stop ranting, I think I’ve made my point, at least to those who share my world view. I believe the state legislature had good intentions when they enacted school choice laws that included provisions to prevent schools from becoming segregated, but I’m not sure it has had the desired effect. I understand the position of the Decatur school board and superintendent Larry Ben, who need to keep all the kids they can in the district. I know I have an idealistic view not grounded in the realities of the past century, but I hate it that children even have to be categorized by race at all.

That's why, when I filled out my two elementary school children's student information packet this morning,I may have gotten a little carried away with myself. As I filled out the stack of forms - almost assuredly mandated by the state and not Decatur schools - I came across some almost comically ridiculous questions. Here are a few examples:

Q: When was your child born? followed immediately by, When did your child enter the U.S.?

A: The day she was born.

Q: What language does your child speak at home?

A: English

Q: What language do the adults in your home speak to each other?

A: English

Q: What language do the children in your home speak to each other?

A: English

Q: What language do the adults speak to the children in your home?

A: Pig Latin

Q: What language do you prefer to receive communications from your child's school?

A: Chinese

Q: Please circle your child's race: African American, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Native American, or White. (This one really grated on my nerves.)

A: None of the above; she is an American. My child has an ancestry that includes people of Scandinavian, Irish, German, French and Cherokee descent, as well as other Native American tribes, a possible African American and a few unconfirmed Jews. This melting pot made up of mostly immigrants and a handful of natives is what makes her an AMERICAN.

Janelle Jessen is a reporter for the Westside Eagle Observer and a longtime resident of the Decatur area. She may be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 6 on 08/31/2011