A Lesson Learned...

In this waning time of intellect, courage and empathy I find myself trying to understand others. I want to see what they see and broaden my perspective so that I am not ignorant in my arguments, positions and or rhetoric. Time and again, however, I find myself perplexed, vexed even, at the absence of cogent thought many put into their diatribes, choosing instead to spew some trite trope they plucked from the internet (comment sections are the best/worst) or heard on the television. And even then, I try to read between the lines to see if the author has a relevant position that she/he cannot simply articulate using their own words. Yet after many attempts it is clear they don’t. They are blithely extolling some hyperbolic sentiment that resonated with their person but lack any greater understanding of the issue. This behavior plays out day after day in our society with little evidence of halting. And while some are beginning to question this cavalcade of feckless banter, many continue to hitch their wagons to it, waving their trifle flags of support.

But why?

A good friend recently shared with me a piece of literature that changed my life: The Pedagogy of the Oppressed, by Paulo Freire. After reading this book I realized that I was the personification of Pavlov’s dog. From a very early age I have been conditioned to respond to things in my environment a certain way. My thoughts, reactions, moral judgements and all those things that constitute my person have been a product of learned behavior. My insight has been predicated on what others have told me is true and reasonable. In fact, I have been so conditioned that I often choose to eschew happiness and contentment to pursue things that bring stress, resentment and pain. I have been resolutely quixotic in chasing after things that have little value to me but because others see them as important; I am dogged in my pursuit of them.

I know I am not alone. When I read and listen to others it is readily apparent to me that the masses have been infected by the endemic disease of apathy. Ostensibly it is not our fault. We were taught from a very young age many of the things we hold steadfastly true today. From how we make and spend our money to how our justice is meted out. We champion those who tell us what we should think and what we should want to hear. We are enraptured by the smooth talkers, the anointed (I know this is going to get me in trouble) and the inspired. We are infatuated with those who have much and disgusted by those who have nothing. We see the tragedy of others, but shrink from action if it is not at our doorstep because we believe as only one person we have no agency.

The truth is ugly. We are sheep. We drank the Kool Aid a long time ago and are now complacent. We are afraid of what we will lose if we educate ourselves and understand what using our agency really means. If we were to stand with Kaepernick and stop patronizing a billion dollar industry that reaps the benefits of its greatest commodity but sees no responsibility to stand with them – yet can wear pink for breast cancer (I’ll just leave that right there), what do we stand to lose. If we were to stop patronizing those companies that pour billions of dollars into a president’s bid for reelection, one who with unabashed hate and vitriol has shown his disdain for people of color or anyone who does not look like him, what do we stand to lose. If we choose to confront our neighbors, family and friends who champion hate in their deeds and action, forcing them to understand that hate is a cancer to all of society, what do we stand to lose.

Perhaps the question is not what we would lose but what would we gain. If we chose to embrace our agency and underwrite our own pedagogy, what differences could we imagine in our own communities.

I like so many can’t wait to vote on November 6, 2020 to exercise my right to plant a seed of change in this country, one that embraces differences, allows for compromise, while respecting life and liberty. Yet I know that as long as we look to others to be the catalyst for change, for others to define our success and for others to be our courage, we will never break free of the proverbial shackles of what we’ve been taught to believe and live.

And though this may seem to be a “black thing” it is not. We all have new things to relearn. The history of our pedagogy is a shared history. We all have been conditioned and we all are apathetic. If this blog strikes a nerve perhaps it is time for you to find your own truth. After all, that’s where our own agency begins.

S. McGill

One of the most powerful things in the world can be obtained and used liberally by anyone who chooses to use it.  "If" can be the beginning of something great or the acquiescence to defeat. How will you use your "if"?