Good Guys and Bad Guys
When we see a conflict or difficult situation, why do we feel compelled to draw boxes and apply labels in order to make one group out to be good guys and another group out to be bad guys? Why, once we’ve picked our sides, do we assume that everything the good guys do is right, and everything the bad guys do is wrong? Why do we assign nobility to one, and villany to the other? Why do we make complicated, messy realities into fairy tales?
I’m just as guilty of this as anyone else. I’ve allowed myself to enjoy a little “righteous” indignation toward “Muslims” because of the current Danish cartoon fiasco. I realize that I’m starting to view this diverse, complicated group as a single, conspiratorial and rather unpleasant entity. Both unfair and foolish.
February 3rd, 2006 at 11:58 pm
one word: “lazy”.
February 6th, 2006 at 6:58 am
As Tonto said to the Lone Ranger when surrounded…
Who is ‘we’ white man?
February 6th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
Hey, you labeling me?
Yes. “25% Off Regular Price” - SF
February 8th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
I think “lazy” is close. I think as humans we like things to be black or white. Black hats vs. the White hats. Cut and dry. Thankfully, life isn’t like that. Well, I’m thankful anyway.
This whole cartoon business, I find to be on the humorous side they give those cartoons so much power over their lives, but the consequences of their reactions are very serious. I keep losing respect for a large group of people and not because of a handful. I see the riots and the destruction. Why are the peace loving Muslim leaders not speaking out? If they are, why are they so quiet about it? Of course, I could be living in a vaccuum. Their values are quite different from ours. I wish that we could all find a common ground to leave one another alone. I’m a dreamer.
(singing) … But your not the only one …