Growing up is hard. Everyone goes through it, and it usually isn't until you're nearly on the other side that you realize what's going on. Of course, we grow our entire lives in many ways, but becoming an adult?

It's not exactly what I bargained for.

It's kind of like looking at a gift through a pair of rainbow glasses, then taking them off and looking again. And having to deal with the reality that it isn't all of those wonderful colors you saw before.

The notion that I've grown up hit me the other day when I was sitting in a Pizza Hut with my boyfriend and his best friend. I overheard a commotion at the front desk, and started to listen to the employees. Turns out, someone who wanted a pizza delivered outside of the delivery network pulled the "Race Card" to get what she wanted.

"You don't deliver out here because we're black. I know that's why you don't!"

"I'll have your job by noon tomorrow! I wanna talk to your manager!"

"I'm gonna go to the newspapers! I'll be on national TV, and then you'll lose your job!"

The poor girl who fielded the call was angry and hurt. All she did was say that they couldn't deliver out there. Of course, nothing ever came of the incident. She didn't lose her job, and there was no press coverage.

After the whole thing, I realized something. It's not about race. It's about education. More education means less ignorance about the world around you. It made me realize that I had taken off the rainbow glasses, and reality isn't so pretty.

(I wonder how Martin Luther King Jr. would react to our world today? Something tells me he'd be disgusted with a few people.)

I've learned that sometimes you can't give the benefit of the doubt. I've learned that occasionally you have to assume the worst. I've learned that random strangers won't stick out their necks for you. I've learned to fear people in crowds, because they'll steal from you. I've learned to fear everyone on the highway, because they will hit you. I've learned that banks don't care who you are, as long as they make a buck.

I've learned the reality of my life. But at the same time, I've learned to love.

I've learned that with the right people to support you, nothing this world can throw in your path will stop you.

It's all a part of growing up.
-Circle's End