It's interesting to note how many people label themselves. They define themselves by their careers; I'm a teacher, I'm a Lawyer, I'm a nurse. They define themselves by their personal status; I'm a mother, I'm a father, I'm gay, I'm straight. But we aren't single entities. We are many things. Sons and daughters, sisters and brothers. Christians and Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus. Atheists and Jews. Liberals and conservatives. Socialists and greens. Some good, some bad. We wear many mantles.
So it isn't that hard to understand that this is an age where many fiercely label other people. I have written a number of times about why people do this. For many, they do this in order to attack and criticize. Some do it in order to understand others better on their own terms and within our own cultural boundaries. Sadly, in doing this people often don’t see the essence of a human being. The essence is that we all hold principles, and values and follow some kind of moral and ethical code. Those principles and values may differ from ours, but it doesn't mean they don't exist.
Two current examples spring to mind.
Some, based on their moral code vehemently oppose SSM others are supporters. Each judges on a different set of personal values or from a different academic standpoint.
Another example is a woman who chooses to dress modestly and wear a hijab. This is a very graphic symbol of who the person is but it only goes as far as their religion and their desire for modesty. Hence, many judge that person by their religion and label them as such. A suppressed Muslim controlled by men. They don't see beyond the 'cloak'.
I am proud to count among my friends a number of young women who wear hijab's. They are career women, some are wives and mothers. All are wonderful daughters and sisters and caring friends. I can assure you they certainly are dominated by men. They live as we say 'good lives'. They make a positive contribution to society. They are gentle, caring, beautiful people.
I am a conservative but I have friends who are subscribers to liberal politics and even green politics. They also are wonderful people. Therefore is saddens me to observe the divide that appears to be growing wider in some parts of our society. That even extends to some turning on as they say "their own kind." A number of my Twitter friends (and myself also) have recently been blocked by others for having the temerity to hold an opposing view from the hardliners within our own Liberal Party followers groups. The usual barrage of insults hurled our way. I'm proud to say none of us who were flicked retaliated.
It is such a shame we can not see this inside of each other, far beyond the cultural, religious, political and personal 'garments' and 'mantles' that we adorn ourselves with, and to understand the complete entity. If we could then hopefully we could move closer toward creating a culture of acceptance of others. And most importantly acceptance of ourselves in having the courage to stand up and say "this is who I am and I'm proud of it."
It behoves all of us to move beyond the mantle that others adorn themselves with and to also be honest about who and what we are. It is essential, if we are going to build a better world than the one we are creating now.
This quote sums it up beautifully.
"Sometimes that mantle is hard to adjust to wearing but we are at a stage that we are comfortable with it and we recognize how we are perceived and how the real core individual that each one of us has apart from the facade that the public believes that we are." ~ James Young
