A Standard We Can All Agree On

What if Joe Biden had bombed Iran’s nuclear sites?

What if Donald Trump had run as a Democrat?

What if the IDF had invaded Palestine?

What if Barron Trump was struggling with drug addiction?

What if a biological female wanted to play in traditional male sports?

What if college campus protests were focused on illegal immigrants?

What if George Floyd was white and the officers were all black?

What if Kyle Rittenhouse was black and the person shot was whiteAs a society the idea of civilized debate and discussion has been lost in one sad dismissive assumption upon presumption. It seems there was a time when certain lines wouldn’t be crossed. Accusations would not fly. Things were off limits. People were free to be stupid and people just let them be.

What happened?

Where did these days go?

Why is everything so different now?

So, this particular writing doesn’t have anything to do with where things went wrong. Though the gradual progression of the world into a post-truth situation, early on known as “postmodernity”, would easily account for the modern day inability of people to behave with some remotely akin to decency towards each other likely has something to do with it all. Fascinating that for all of the progress taking place in the world today we are rapidly becoming more de-civilized than anything else. Another time, another discussion, another day.

Nature vs. Nurture

It is an age-old debate. Unable to be settled really. Does one’s simple genetic composition predetermine behavior, attitudes, and worldview? Or does one’s upbringing somehow determine those things? The answer is, of course, a resounding “Yes” and “No”! Racist attitudes inhabit every nationality, personhood, and gender alike. Prejudice exists in every walk of life. And privilege exists regardless of how you feel about it. It is difficult, near impossible, to not recognize that upbringing plays a part in worldview creation. There is an assumption within this writing that a prevalent worldview exists in every person’s life and it is by that worldview that the environment around them is understood and defined. Face it., You have one. And you filter everything you read, see, and do through it. That worldview is a delicate balance of both nature and nurture in your life. Your experiences, your education, your background, your gender, your racial profile, your faith, and so many other things go into that worldview. No one is neutral. Neutrality is a myth. But it doesn’t have to be.

Moving Towards a Standard

Call it a theory. That’s fine. It doesn’t hurt. But, at least, give this some thought. Give this a chance. Here is the challenge. In a world full of snap judgments based on little real information be different. Dare to hold yourself accountable. Dare to think about your own worldview and what it is telling you. Consider this:

If any detail of the situation were to change and with it your opinion of it - then you are the problem.

Consider the questions at the beginning. If one of the details of those issues were to change, and with it your opinion of that issue then you are not solving anything. You are a part of the problem and only making things worse. Just think.

What if a part of the story was different?

What if what enraged you wasn’t the same anymore?

What if Trayvon had shot the neighborhood watch guard?

What if white people were pulled over by police officers in black neighborhoods?

What if your sister was passed over for a job for someone unqualified but that person is LGBTQ+?

The harsh truth is that we have problems. Lots of them. We have lost sight of what it means to be human beings. We have lost sight of what it means to be real. We have lost so many things. That past wasn’t perfect. Right now seems even farther away from prefect than before. We need a standard. We need it now. It isn’t perfect, but maybe, it is a great place to start.