Wednesday, May 5

Way back in 1999 Lee Ann Womack had a country song called, “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later”. The essence of the song was one woman didn’t like another woman even though she was good person who did good things. The animosity wasn’t based on rational thought – in fact, if the truth were actually told she should have been impressed by the other woman – but because they were romantic rivals she just flat didn’t like her. She made up her mind she didn’t like the other woman and, if necessary, she’d think of a reason later.

Do we find ourselves in a similar position? Sometimes the pettiness doesn’t amount to much – for example I will never like the Oakland Raiders or the Norte Dame Fighting Irish. I just don’t and if I need to come up with a reason, I can – but that’s not the point. I just don’t like them. While sports rivalries can produce silliness like this, the problem is when we apply these standards to political parties, religious groups, races, genders and other criteria. Bigotry is simply not liking someone “just because”, but if we are pinned down to have to produce a rational response, we will conjure up a reason. When we think on this level we won’t appreciate the good in another person (or group). In essence, don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up!
Let’s not allow prejudices to make us bitter. When we keep our minds opened and our hearts pure we’ll be able to appreciate more diversity and like more people.

Think About It

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