I watched with interest as we sent four astronauts around the moon and back. It doesn’t seem like such a big deal but I guess that’s because I remember when we landed on the moon. Other than the fact we had four astronauts this time, it seemed rather like a repeat, only without the landing part. I hear we plan on doing that again in a few years.

As with everything these days social media was weighing in and politics entered the conversation. The Trump haters and the Democrats going at each other over the cost, the reason behind this flight and a host of other issues. It was pointed out there was a woman and a black man included in this crew. One person was a Canadian! Of course there was no non-binary, gay, or trans person and so that was an issue with some. Well, maybe next time. I’m positive I will hear about the first “gay” person in space during my lifetime. Well, they’ve always been light on their feet.

The first black man in space happened back in 1983. Strange, I don’t remember that but I suppose it is simply because they didn’t make a big deal out of that either. I’m certain it was mentioned as a first but not as some heroic achievement, a triumph over white supremacy and systemic racism. The lady was mentioned, mostly for fixing the toilet though. No triumph for women’s liberation! The two white guys? Not much being mentioned about them, they were just crew members. Good job guys.

As I read and heard about this black guy and what a historic contribution he has made to the space program I couldn’t help but wonder; why no brown person? Yes, brown people are something I hear about a great deal these days from politicians and activists. They are usually mentioned in conjunction with black people. It almost sounds like they are some sort of sub-species of black people when they are mentioned. The black and brown people are being marginalized. Brown people aren’t white or black. I read where they self identify themselves in that way, they may include yellow people and red skins! Well, when you self identify I guess you can be whatever you like or whatever is the most political expedient thing to be at the moment.

I do find it rather funny that when any of that is mentioned you never hear, a white person, that is always assumed to be the case. He went to the north pole! He was a white guy, wasn’t he? Yes, he was. But did you know there was black man with Perry? Well, there was and of course the white guy got the credit. Now I hear about the first black man/woman to do this or that and the implication is, a white man/woman had done it first. It’s a big deal when a black person duplicates that achievement. It always sounds to me like they are saying, in spite of.

I wonder if we will ever get past the “in spite of” attitude. You can call that prejudice as well, it’s the same thing. Is it really necessary to say the race/color or ethnicity of an individual when they aren’t white? Is that a racist thing in and of itself? Seems like it is to my way of thinking. And now I’m hearing someone’s’ sexual preferences in the same way. A gay person or a Trans person did this or that, as though, that somehow makes them different and they accomplished whatever, in spite of that. It’s the same thing as the rag to riches story we used to hear about. In spite of.

As far as us white folks go it has been said all humanity came up out of Africa. That means we were all black people at one time. Yet, in spite of that, we became white folks. Quite the accomplishment wouldn’t you say?

This entire piece is satire. Just the thoughts of a guy 72 years old living in America. Not politically correct, and not concerned with being politically correct. Did I need to include my identity? If you don’t know and haven’t checked would you know? I’m betting you would guess correctly. In spite of everything else, you would know. Would you be surprised if I were otherwise?

In spite of all the obstacles, we made it!