“Education costs money.  But then so does ignorance.”

~ Sir Claus Moser

Education does in fact cost money, traditional education any way, but remaining ignorant has a price that far exceeds any college tuition.  I’m referring to being prejudiced against someone because of their gender, their race, their religion, or even their sexual preference.  What a horrible state to live in.

We have a saying in my house, and I warn you, it’s blunt, but it is something that my family (immediate family) perceives to be true; Assholes come in every color.  Whether that is the color of skin, the gender, the religious preference, the political affiliation, or the lifestyle choice – an asshole is an asshole.  Not one group has exclusive rights to this label.

Those jerks out there (we all know a few) are simply ignorant, but in my opinion, this ignorance creates missed opportunities for finding wonderful people on this planet who will enrich your life in ways you never considered.  That, my dear friends, is the heftiest price any single person can pay; a missed opportunity.

I have friends in all shapes, sizes, colors, and creeds, and each one of them have gifted me with a better outlook on life.  They have expanded the scope of my vision, and enriched my life is ways I could never find the words to thank them for.  I’ve grown into a better person because they are different from me.

Those who remain ignorant miss out on that enrichment.  What a shame.