Red + Blue = Purple
August 4, 2010 in Opinions, Philosophy, Political, racism, This and That
(Originally published on Aug. 4, 2010)
What a marvelous life! Had lunch today with a beautiful, intellectual, warm and honest woman. Our conversation was exhilarating, and joyful.
Makes me wonder why many say “it’s the little thing in life that count.” Our conversation today might be one of those “little things” that people refer to, but I find these events to be magnificent. Not little things at all.
But, not to bore you with my silly giddiness anymore, I’ll get right to the purpose of my rambling tonight. During the course of our conversation, many things came up and one had to do with people’s seemingly inability to find common ground. When did we slide into such a state of division? When did we forget the unique and complex qualities that each human possesses? When did we decide that to affiliate meant to check independent brain cells at the door, and follow thought and logic of the numbers?
I’m particularly fascinated at the ease in which someone can adhere to a doctrine that attributes a strict criteria, with no wiggle room, to any particular affiliation. In other words, I’ve observed that we’ve figuratively and literally entered a culture of black and white where gray does not exist. I’ll bet many parents would be hard pressed to see the many beautiful talents of their children in this harsh b/w way, yet so many kids are being primed to carry these views into adulthood, anyway. Sad.
To the title…when the subject of finding common ground came up, the notion of mixing colors together was discussed as an analogy to the current political gridlock.
Why can’t we say – you like red, and I like blue, but I’ll bet we can mix them together and make purple, which we both like.?
