As a Portorican in the United States since 1946 I learned to live between a variety of ethnic groups. I know what racism truly is. I also learned we as human beings are brothers and sisters. Our physical structures and inner workings are the same. Goverments and languages create an illusion of difference. When we stop concentrating on petty things and communicate as family, only then would we be able to get along. I've been following the events in Gaza and all I hear is a venomous potion of negativity. Everyone needs to forget what occurred in the past and concentrate on the future. Brothers and sisters are suffering, never mind the statistics, everyone needs to concentrate on ending the bloodshed. And once the violence ceases we need to get together and forget politics. Human beings should be paramount when combatants get together to bicker over what now seems petty in the eyes of a bigger power than us. The eternal he did this and that should be discarded to concentrate on the innocent non-military population. It's a shame that men, women and children are being sacrificed due to some stupid rivalry. I believe my God is the same as every other God in this small planet, representing peace and not some abstract figure urging war. I know it's not easy but I would like to see human beings all over the world embracing peace and not hate. If we continue negative labeling of those different from us the cycle of violence will continue throughout the world. As a boy I learned this on the streets of New York City long ago.

May the Palestinians and Israelis find the road to peace.