Recently, a woman named Shirley posted on social media how she had challenged her attitudes about a certain people group and come out on the other side with a different perspective. The specifics of her changed perspective and the people group are not important to the point I am about to make. What is important is the fact that Shirley made the exceptional choice to move out of the comfort zone of her own stereotypes and ignorance. And oh, the responses! She became an instant threat to those who were walled in the fortress of their own conveniently packaged ideas, and they launched their arsenal of vitriol, insult and ridicule at her full force.
So, I decided to write her this note: “Shirley, challenging our paradigms requires courage, faith, and love. It takes courage to face the backlash from those who may not share our bravery. It takes faith to believe that we will emerge improved from the experience. And it takes love to fuel our desire to be kind and just to all. As you forge ahead on your path of growth, I commend you. Farewell.”
As well-known as are the words, “For God so loved the world…”, I marvel at how “the world” we love can so easily shrink to the size of those who are like us or who agree with us.
Wouldn’t it be great if all of us were as open to examining our viewpoints and assumptions about others as was Shirley. It may not lead to a complete transformation of our perspective, but we can always learn from each other, and learning can lead to greater respect for one another. And wouldn’t that make our daily world a better place for all of us?
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