There are certain topics I tend to avoid, especially in today’s social environment. Politics, religion, and even sports can be incredibly divisive. Often, destructively divisive. While I have definite viewpoints on all of them, more often than not, resulting conversations are either echo chambers or like hitting your head against a wall. Rarely does anything constructive result as everyone involved is just trying to win. There is no such thing as compromise and understanding is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Bias is king.
Wise Words
Last week, I stumbled on a clip of a politician saying something I found quite profound. To avoid immediately biasing your opinion of what was said, I’ll hold off on sharing the speaker and source. I am also slightly truncating the quote for brevity. For context, he was recounting a visit to the Wright Brothers Museum and how the tour was summed up by a guide.
In 44 years we go from two guys flying a hundred feet to another American breaking the sound barrier in a jet…Wait a minute! Why did they stop there?…Stop and think about it. In 66 years, one lifetime, we went from two guys flying a hundred feet to putting a man on the moon.
Why Did They Stop There?
That question is what really stood out for me. Why did the museum guide stop there? The sound barrier is a huge milestone, but so is landing on the moon! Then it occurred to me the bias the museum probably faces every day. In a world where people argue the validity of the moon landing, why provide that spark?
The Age of Implicit Bias
The real issue is the need to point out what is wrong about anything and everything. We can no longer celebrate accomplishments without saying, “Yes, but…” This phrase is usually an attempt to invalidate achievement, highlighting the ways people were harmed, excluded, and denied equal opportunities to achieve. We absolutely must recognize the wrongs. Recognizing both the achievement and the sins of humanity need not be mutually exclusive. Indeed, in teaching of history, it is our duty to examine both in appropriate measures.
Take a cue from the improv crowd. Instead of “Yes, but…” let’s try going with “Yes, and…” The movie Hidden Figures is a decent example.
If you simply must know the full story of the quote provided, you can see it here. Forget who is saying it or the platform that provided the video and focus on the first 2:06 where he describes the museum visit. If you lose the point of what he’s saying because of who he is, what letter follows his name, or what broadcaster shared the video, wear your “Yes, but…” cap proudly.
And what’s up with today’s picture of a weed? A wild plant only becomes a weed when someone’s bias kicks in and decides they don’t want it to grow there.
