But that facile, off-handed pigeonholing of people because of how they appear makes me crazy! I love meeting new folks and finding one little something about them that we share, or that I can appreciate about them, breaking that stereotypical frame into little tiny pieces and making each of us more than we were.

Thanks Grace for this realization!

It’s actually really cool to see what at first seem to be glaring incongruencies in people — like my Southern cowboy-farmer neighbor (who also speaks Deep South fluently!) who is a down-to-earth “good ole boy” through and through — and also an avid golfer who is never without his I-Phone.

Our authenticity shines in some of our inconsistencies. We ARE far too multi-dimensional to fit in a neat little pre-formed box. …

Also, I love your quote “details form us.” And you’re so right in that knowing the details of others helps us all feel more connected. We’re all different; we’re all the same; we’re all complex. Getting rid of “the other” and realizing we’re ALL “we” and on the same team can help wipe out dangerous (and untrue) sterotypes.