the question that gets in the way

Who do I think of myself as better than?

I keep playing with that question.

In all honesty, I kind of hate it.

I hate the fact that I often have an answer to it.

I hate the fact that you probably have an answer to it, too.

My apologies… it’s not a hatred of you nor me. It’s more that I believe the veiled reality that we see ourselves as better than certain others impedes individual wisdom and collective solution. It kills community. It also seems to encourage the tribal mentality that is currently eroding our country’s core, constitutional fabric.

So allow me to humbly but boldly ask again…

Who do you think of yourself as better than?

Donald Trump?

Nancy Pelosi?

All Republicans or Democrats in general?

White people? Black people? Any person of color?

How about any “woke” or “non-woke” person?

What about a less educated person?

A person who is poorer?

Shorter?

Older? Younger?

Less athletic?

Less attractive?

Less faithful?

Less intelligent?

Disabled?

The person who struggles with ____________?

Who do you see yourself as better than?

A person who is taking too many precautions during the coronavirus?

A person who is not taking enough precautions during the coronavirus?

All those wannabe beachgoers in Florida? 

The people locked down in New York City?

CNN, MSNBC, FOX News watchers?

How about fans of Chris Cuomo, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, or Rachel Maddow?

Who do you see yourself as better than?

Allow me to address the question with two percipient more… 

Do we truly believe that “out of many, we are one”?

“That all are created equal, endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”?

Then perhaps we work on eradicating our answers to the first question… and we work, too, on  dismissing the imprudent idea that we know best how the Creator’s image should appear in someone other than self.

Respectfully…

AR