Are You Quick to Judge Others?
Many today would judge others according to an impossible standard. It will come back to haunt them.
As I write this piece, I am filled with emotions of frustration, anger, ambivalence, and confusion. They are now part of a witches' brew I have no taste for. I will probably never drink this tonic, and for that reason, I will indeed be cast onto the graveyard.
I will soon take you on a tour of that place.
One of the great perks of a life lived long (relative) is the accumulation of things that bring comfort to you. One of those for me is words.
So, when my dear son last evening, after reading something I wrote, called attention to my choice of one of said comforts, “Dad, be careful with that; it’s derogatory!” it created quite a bit of self-talk, trying to understand where he was coming from, why the word was being questioned, and what I would do about it.
That whole process led to the writing of this post.
Our Society Today
For both better and worse, it has forced its inhabitants to occupy one of two parallel universes or train tracks, with the tracks going in opposite directions.
You are either “woke” (we used to call it “being with it”) or the other — sorry, I don’t have a word for that one yet (reader input requested). You have to pick one. Fence sitting will not get you through this competition (hopefully not a marathon?).
Yard signs
I digress to describe further a “sign” of the times we are all held captive. Before I retired, I drove a lumber delivery truck. I had a lot of fun with the job because it allowed me windshield time. Don’t forget; eyes need to be on the road, dude!
Yes, they still exist and appear to be the personal billboard used to announce your station in life. As a famous comedian used to say, “Here’s your sign!”
I don’t think Jeff knew then how truly culturally centered this object would become. A man ahead of his time, perhaps? Anyway, I derived much entertainment from seeing those “lawn ornaments. I was always able to surmise, from the content of knowing what battle lines had been drawn in those households. Just saying!
Prisms
Today, we are mandated to observe and participate in life through a prism (chosen by a select, relative minority). That prism now dictates (just to name a few, including my son’s observation)
- word selection,
- statute existence,
- pronoun use,
- book relevance,
- education curriculums,
- behavior between or amongst genders (actual number of these is fluid, genders that are),
- race visibility (what color you are determines your seat at the table, and maybe eventually, no seat), and
- probably context (seemingly always out of place).
This list will never be finite until “they” determine it is! By the way, before all of the above ever came to be, I always joked about who “they” were and whatever “they said,”? Now, I know who “they” is! Maybe.
Graveyard tour
Recently, my wife and I went on a tour of local cemeteries in the town she grew up in. It was done to honor her relatives. I felt privileged to be part of this respectful homage.
There were tears and laughs, all part of past and present life. The sentiment that remains with me is respect for those that preceded us, family or not.
Wisdom From the Unconscious
My dream last night, precipitated by my son’s “review,” became a sad journey, more resembling a nightmare.
In the dream, I entered a realm where recently fallen statues and monuments had been interred. They were familiar names and symbols. The figures hurriedly dumped and scattered around. Final resting or proper placement is of no importance.
As I walked, I stopped at each to read the original inscriptions of whom and what they were. Some I recognized from my study of history, some not. Real people at one time, with their own lives, dreams, and timely job to do.
Against the background of this remembrance, a steady, mournful sound was heard. The cries of those present asking, “What did I do, relative to the time, to intern me here?”
As I bore witness to all of this, I also imagined the silent protest of the families and relatives subjected to the disrespectful disposal of the monuments of their loved ones. Grief, confusion, and suppressed anger will surely follow them for eternity.
I was just about to leave this somber place when I noticed a building in the distance. It was unnamed and drew my curiosity. Upon entry, I could not help but notice the area was filled with books, not organized or neatly stacked but haphazardly scattered about.
Ah, yes, we can’t forget these symbols of now, the wrong messages or content, but relative to the time in which they originated.
Closing Thoughts
There is an ongoing, concerted effort to rewrite and erase history. A cleansing, so to speak, of who and what we were relative to the time.
Led by a self-appointed few, now supported by “tag alongs” that are looking for a cause (you know, that “child” in Mom’s basement, underwear as business attire, making their valuable contributions to mankind), or the corporation seeing a possible revenue enhancer in the cards.
I’m pretty confident that the majority of citizens question this movement. But we will not be heard nor even asked about our beliefs. It is not our turn or moment in the sun. Damn democracy, by the way! “They” have the reins until they don’t. In the meantime, enjoy the show or find something else to stream.
I’m sure that most of you are familiar with this quote from the Bible: “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” There is a lot of judging going on right now.
Lastly
Please comment on this article. A dialogue with all viewpoints is welcome. Just keep it civil. That’s the way we do things here.
Thank you.
