‘I can not wait for school to be over,’ Jane said with a gleeful smile. ‘The Halloween in May idea is exciting we will all be able to wear our masks 5 months early and how they are constructed to fit over our heads we will not know who each other is,’ she continued. ‘I wonder if we would have peace on Earth if we all first met each other with our masks on and did not judge by our differences but rather from the content of our character as Dr. King said,’ Jane offered.

‘We are a bit parochial in our initial assessment of others and often do not take the time to know the people we encounter,’ Chet said. ‘The Star Trek model of various and very different intelligent life across our galaxy is not common on Earth,’ Chet continued. ‘Babies love each other for who they are and have no prejudice until they are taught to be so,’ he said with a gleam in his eye.

‘Some of my best friends are African Americans,’ Billy B noted. ‘They treat me with love and acceptance and no judgment,’ he said. ‘Political Parties are another false construct dividing people, Billy B observed. ‘Economic status is a horrible yoke to bear with those who are richer perceived to be better than those who are poor,’ he observed with a tear in his eye.

‘Women are discounted in our society when they can do anything that men do and often better,’ Neva J announced. ‘Their pay is less than men for the same job,’ she continued. ‘Men make laws governing women when they know little about them or what they endure,’ Neva J said softly.

‘My goodness this is fun I have no idea who you are but I am mesmerized by your wisdom,’ said Jane as she listened to the masked person. ‘Are you one of my classmates,’ she asked?

‘I sit next to you each day in class sometimes you do not see me,’ He said. ‘Once you told me that I had a voice like the ocean,’ He continued. ‘Some places at school I am welcome while other places I am not,’ He continued. ‘Often I sit next to you in the pew at church we sing merrily the hymns,’ He observed.

‘Why are you not welcome everywhere in school,’ Jane asked with wonder? ‘Certainly, you must be welcome at church,’ she asked with some passion!

‘My clothing is a bit rough at times I do not eat for a day or two,’ He said. ‘Congregants fear that I might be a panhandler or a terrorist,’ He said. ‘I am sad when the church members go to fellowship and I am not invited I would only eat a little and perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee…I love a good cup of coffee,’ He said.

‘Do you have a family,’ Jane asked beseechingly?

‘I bring my kids with me to church they love the uplifting music and the gospel message about us,’ He said. ‘They especially enjoy the scripture where Jesus said that if you are kind to the little ones you are kind to him,’ He said.

‘How would we recognize you when you are beside us without your mask,’
Chet asked?

‘My skin is bronze and I have a bit of an injury in both of my hands,’ He said…