Black and White

The absurdities that arise from political correctness amaze me. The newest is the Professor Gates affair. As usual, driven by media hoopla, people are lining up to take sides on an issue that really isn't an issue but more a misunderstanding blown totally out of proportion. This drama is in fact a perfect illustration of how the world is not black and white. It is complex.

Professor Gates teaches classes on African-American history and race at Harvard. As such, he is steeped in the history of slavery, racism, Jim Crow and all other matters of concerning race in the United States. Add in his age and the fact that he teaches at Harvard, one can assume that his viewpoint is shaped by the Leftist narrative of American history so prevalent in academia today. My point is not to talk about Mr. Gate's viewpoint or ideaology but intstead to illustrate how his perception of the situation was formed. That perception is what drives his actions.

I don't know as much about Officer Crowley's background except what has been reported in the news. He is white, a police officer with a good record and also an instructor for the Police Academy on racial profiling. I don't know if he has prejuduces, a history of racism or a record on anything pertaining to race. I can assume, however, that by the nature of his profession he approached the situation from the perspective of his training as a police officer. Police are trained to approach a potentially dangerous situation from a position of authority in order to establish calm and keep the situation from escalating. I'm not just talking about situations involving crime but even times like an accident scene. Two of the biggest factors in such situations are stress and confusion which require someone on the scene to remain calm and be decisive. For example, in every First Aid class I've ever taken, one of the first things I was taught to do upon arriving on the scene is take charge and designate someone to go call 911. I wasn't taught to politely ask anyone in the crowd " Can someone, anyone, please call 911 for help?" Instead, I was taught to authoritatively, even forcefully designate a person; "YOU! Call 911 for help!"

What we have in this whole affair in Cambridge Mass. is an example of two individuals entering a situation from totally different perspectives that clash causing an escalation into issues unrelated to the actual event. The initial event had nothing to do with race relations. It had to do with a possible crime that in fact did not exist. However, because one participant is black and the other white, the intrusion of interlopers with agendas and the tendency we as a people have to simplify complex situations down to an "either one side or the other", the whole situation has escalated to a point of ridiculousness.

My point in talking about this event is to show that behind every interaction you have with another person is a complex chain of circumstances leading up to that interaction. Perceptions are formed quickly and easily, often without all the facts. Sometimes without any facts. Perception and reality are two different beasts. Reality is not always black and white.

More to follow...

Welcome.

Hello all and welcome to my blog. For a while now, many of my friends have been telling me I should write a blog. I guess they think what I have to say is important. Of course, it could be that they feel me writing things out saves them the time of having to sit and listen. Who knows? The important part is that I'm always thinking but so many ideas and views are rarely shared. By sharing my thoughts, I hope to spark some feedback. Different perspectives can either strengthen ideas or prove then misguided.

That being said, feel free to comment on my posts. The only thing I ask is that you make an informed contribution and not simply resort to name calling. As the topics I will write about range from issues of the day (Politics, News, History) to just everyday dealings, I'm sure many of you will disagree with me. GOOD! That's what an open society is all about. So, let the fun begin.