I was born in the 1970s, watching TV shows whose purpose was to offend the uptight masses. There was no concept of being politically correct or walking delicately around people’s feelings. Because people knew the difference between comedy and cruelty. People also knew that there was often some truth to what was being said or shown, even if they didn’t like it. People were willing to have open minds and hearts to learn more about the other. Now in the present day, people claim to be woke but do not recognize or admit to their own hypocrisy. They cancel anyone who disagrees with their point of view without staying curious and keep the dialogue going until a bridge can be built instead of a wall.
The thing our inappropriate TV shows taught us was that everyone was a hypocrite – the woke and the jerks. However, both sides still recognized the humanity of the others. Meaning, they may insult each other, but they did not seek to harm one another. The obnoxious characters always ended up helping the people they spent time insulting. For example, George Jefferson insulted Mr Bentley regularly. However, when Mr. Bentley needed relief from his back pain, he walked on his back to help him. Now everyone could said George did it becasue it empowered him as a black man to physically walk all over a white man’s back. But you never saw him bragging about it outside of his small circle. He didn’t use that piece of information to ingratiate himself with someone for personal gain. Mr. Bentley didn’t feel like less than a man to come to George to ask him for his special services. Both men retained their respect and manhood despite the teasing and insulting remarks.
As a Black Roman Catholic, I have plenty of opinions about the world and my faith. However, you know what they say about opinions – everyone has one. I accept that I am (as well as others in my faith) are hypocritical. However, clue-phone – there is not a human who has been created who is not hypocritical (except for the Virgin Mary and Jesus – if you’re Catholic). Before you try removing the stone from someone’s eye, remove the wooden beam in your own (in the Bible somewhere, LOL). Because I recognize that everyone is a hypocrite, I can choose to be cynical and judgmental or take the higher road. I choose to forgive people but not forgetting the lesson; to swallow my pride and stop trying to prove my beliefs are correct; to surrender my desire for retribution for perceived injustices; and to stay curious, listening not to respond but to understand. What my inappropriate TV shows taught me is that you don’t change hearts with a mallet, you change hearts by open communication – free non-judgmental dialogue. This communication will create a connection. We all could use a new friend to join our circle.
Until next time!
