My reality - your reality

​My reality – your reality
 
One of the gifts of the times in which we live and during which I am writing this daily blog is the daily (sometimes hourly) reminder that my reality may bear no resemblance to that of many of my friends, colleagues and others. Recent events in Charlottesville involving various individuals and groups were a perfect example.  Depending on who is telling the story, the major theme was:

• An organized demonstration to advocate for keeping historic Civil War related statues in public places – statues of those who led and fought for the South.
• An organized demonstration to assert the superiority of the white race.
• An organized demonstration to spread prejudice and hate.
• An organized demonstration by groups with the proper permits which were protested by other people who did not even have a permit to demonstrate.
• A group of leftists only interested in First Amendment Rights for themselves and wanting to withhold them from those with whom they disagree.
• People representing two side of an issue who both were ready to use violence to prove their point.
• An event which was clearly viewed by President Trump as one which became violent because of folks demonstrating and those counter demonstrating.
• An event which was an eerie and frightening reminder of the beginning of the Holocaust.

 
I am sure that there are many other possible realities connected with this event.
 
The point, from my perspective is not that there are many possible realities.  I have certainly lived long enough to accept that reality is very subjective.   Of course, there are many possible realities.  The point is that many of us humans insist that our reality is the only possible reality.  The interesting question is why is it so important to try to convince others that our reality is THE REALITY.  There are several possible reasons including:
 

• My reality demands that certain action be taken to prevent even more damaging behavior long term. Some will argue that in order to prevent another Third Reich one needs to recognize the warning signs and take immediate remediable action
• If my reality is not the accurate one I might have to be open to suggestions that much of what I thought was true is not true.  Much of what I think about myself may not be true. That can be frightening.
• If I am wrong about my view of these events I might be wrong about many views. If I am wrong about many events I have no worth. My worth is dependent on being “right’.
• A reality is that many live with racism and/or other oppression on a daily basis and know that their children – especially their boys – are not safe as long as we live in a society which tolerates racism and other forms of oppression.
• My reality is that I have been mistreated by a person of color and “know” that all persons of color are dangerous.

 
One could go on and on with possible “reasons” for the creation of one’s particular reality. 
 
If one is particularly blessed, one is frequently challenged by those one loves about one’s perception of reality.  Then and, only then, is one is able to approach a respectful dialogue which can result in a solution or a plan which honors multiple realities.   I am blessed with such people who challenge me.  Often I find this challenge very uncomfortable and “find” myself wanting to immediately respond with my version of reality which is, of course, THE REALITY.    The other person(s) is then likely to throw the ball back at me with their reality.  We can keep throwing our respective balls at each other until one of us is out of commission (dead, over powered, bullied into silence or our mouth duct taped for eternity!).
 
In the end the most basic of questions remains. Do I exist if my perception of reality – my beliefs – are not THE REALITY?   If I do exist who am I without the answers? Do I have a purpose? What could it be.  Reneê Descartes in his Discourse on Method (1637) posited “Cogito, ergo sum” (Latin “I think, therefore I am.”).  if this is true then either:

• Thinking does not imply or lead to a “right” answer.

 
Or
 

• The essence of who I am is not my brain/thought process.

 
I wonder how educators might more effectively address these issues beginning in pre-school?  Can we, without venturing into the realm of religion. help children begin to allow for the question of the nature of our essence?  If so, how would that affect our approach to living together? How would one then view future Charlottesville events?
 
Something to ponder.
 
 
Written August 17, 2017