Advanced Apathy

Oh Really?

Why don’t we ever seriously look at the racist viewpoint? Seriously, lets allow the skinheads, the Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan their say in the history books. Let’s allow the bigots their chance to help us understand what they are feeling.

Whats that? You don’t think that would be OK? Well, surprise surprise. The fact is we as a society (and really the world at the moment) are not even considering the possibility of any racist/sexist/bigoted comments to be heard. In classrooms, in the work place, in churches and even families. Everywhere you turn, views that express opinions of dissent toward one race are not allow an audience. But why is this?

After all, in today’s day and age, we are an accepting society. You can have any religion, any personal opinions, any political association, any family structure, anything at all that you want. And with the first amendment, you can voice these beliefs for all the world to hear, providing you aren’t a hate monger. But, why is that?

With liberal ideals running rampant proclaiming that we should all say what we think is right, and that no one person can say THEY are right, whats wrong with some racism? After all, there are many people who argue that one race is inferior to another. Even Charles Darwin in his Origin of Species said very clearly he thought this was true (it’s in the title people: On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life).

So why won’t we allow these disfavored ideas to come to light? Because we as a society, no, as a world have decided that such things are wrong and shouldn’t be taught or discussed. Oh don’t get me wrong, we talk about racism, but have you ever heard of a racist described for their good traits, or their contributions as individuals? How about an in-classroom discussion on the merits of Hitler’s opinions on the Jews? What of the slave owners who gave shelter to their slaves, and that treated them like children? No, these are never discussed.

Now don’t get me wrong, I certainly don’t believe these things are good. Racism (in my opinion) was because of mistrust, and misunderstanding of different cultures which manifested itself in the form of slavery and persecution. With that being said, can I say I know the ins and outs of the situation? No. I am deeply aware of the mindset of the Jews during world war 2 because of all the anti-Nazism that’s spread throughout society, but I have no idea about the potential reasons behind Hitler’s SS (besides the ever present “they were evil/insane” argument).

So what’s the point I am trying to make with all this? Well, it’s that truth is relative. Let me explain myself before you guys start to look for my address: if enough people believe in something, that then becomes “truth” as it were.

Let me give you an example: if I said 2+2=5, that would be wrong. However, if the vast majority of the people on the planet believed whole-heartedly that 2+2=5, then it wouldn’t matter if I was correct, everyone else says I’m not. If I spoke out with that belief, it would shunned and not given any attention. By de facto I would be wrong. In the same way, people in the south during the 1850’s wouldn’t ever consider hearing the possibility that black people should be considered equal. Another example would be if the Nazis had won, do you really think the holocaust would be considered an atrocity? No! It would have been equated with something along the lines of a Holy Cleansing.

See how the truth can be subject to perspective? That’s the point I am trying to make. I will say it again, I am NOT a

What Will It Hold?

racist, or a sexist or a bigot of any kind. All I am attempting to get across to you is the concept that not only could you be wrong on your perspective of issues in the world, but the world itself could be wrong.

Let me leave you with this: we look back and see that the church burning “witches” during early America was wrong, that slavery was abhorred and that the nazis’ view was despicable. But consider this, what will out great-grandchildren look back and say we got completely wrong?

-Trenton Stahl

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