A black and white
world
I am living in a black and white
world.
I am shocked, saddened, and baffled by this. I see the world in full,
glorious God-given colour. But so many of the people around me, particularly on
social media, see only in black and white.
No colour. No shades. Not even
greys. Stark black and stark white.
I see it in the US election
campaign and its aftermath. The black and white view of whatever political persuasion
is quite simply “if you disagree with my
view, you obviously support the other candidate.” A byproduct of that
simplistic viewpoint is that it is always followed by “oh yeah, well your
candidate is worse” followed by a lengthy discourse of so-called facts that, in
reality, are not facts, but merely oft-repeated opinions. It happened when Trump
supporters were challenged: Oh yeah, well Clinton and/or Obama are worse.” It
happened when Clinton supporters were challenged: “Oh yeah, well Trump is
worse.” Discourse and discussion? No. Childish playground arguing? Yes.
Black and white. No
acknowledgement that the truth might be somewhere in the middle. No recognition
that one side or the other might have valid positions or arguments. Black and white.
Each side refuses to allow the
other the freedom of speech because they are “wrong” even though, in the next
breath, they pontificate about preserving the principle of free speech. Black
and white.
It’s not just politics. Blanket
condemnations and opinions are accepted as fact without research or careful,
thoughtful consideration of the alternative arguments. Black and white.
Climate change is real. Climate
change is a fraud. Black and white.
Muslims are evil
terrorists. Muslims are peaceful and
trustworthy. Black and white.
Evangelicals are right-wing
nutbars. Evangelicals are loving disciples of God. Black and white.
Trump is another Hitler, the
devil incarnate. Trump is the Messiah. Black and white.
It even extends to such mundane
areas as sports although that at least is understandable
But I believe in colour, in
nuances, in conversation not confrontation. I have been insulted, called filthy
names, been threatened and even lost friends because they said black and I said
white.
What a sad state of affairs and how pathetic that we who live in an age
when information is available to us, are often no more intelligent than
ignorant peasants of the 13th century..
I live in a black and white
world.
But I will speak in colour.
I live in a black and white world but I
refuse to accept it or condone it. I live in a black and white world but I will
bring colour into it.
