Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:01 — 6.4MB) | Embed
Welcome to Stuff I Learned Yesterday. My name is Darrell Darnell, in my studio I have a piece of amber from the set of Fringe, and I believe that if you aren’t learning, you aren’t living. In today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday I think I might be kicking open a hornet’s nest.
I’m excited to announce that Golden Spiral Media now has a Patreon page! Patreon provides a way for you to financially support Golden Spiral Media for as little as $1 a month. In return, we’ll be able to do some cool things and improve some of the things that we do. Additionally, you’ll get some cool stuff in return for your support. Head over to www.goldenspiralmedia.com/patreon for more info.
Friday Forum
Friday Forum is your opportunity to Share what YOU’VE learned, so that other listeners and I can learn from YOU. It can be a message as short as 30 seconds or several minutes long. It really doesn’t matter just as long as it’s something that will benefit others. You can participate in Friday Forum by calling and leaving a message at 304-837-2278, emailing an audio file to feedback@goldenspiralmedia.com, or clicking on the Send Voicemail tab on my website, GoldenSpiralMedia.com.
What I Learned Yesterday:
Today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday is one that I’ve had in mind to do since the beginning, but I’ve been putting it off. I wanted to make sure that when I did it, I had time to really think it out and choose my words carefully. The things I’m talking about in today’s episode are the types of things that seem to easily get people get upset. I don’t know if I’ve chosen the best words. I don’t know if it’s even possible to choose the best words, but I think it’s time to go for it.
The thing that pushed me over the edge to go ahead and do this episode is the recent controversy surrounding Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling. He’s an educated man, successful in business, and well traveled around the world. A phone conversation was taped that he had with an associate of his, some say girlfriend, other say she’s an aide. That’s not important really. What’s important is that she posted a photo of herself with Magic Johnson to her Instagram page and this deeply bothered Mr. Sterling. He was troubled that she would publicly post pictures of herself associating with black people. Keep in mind that the woman he’s speaking to is half black and half hispanic.
I listened to the entire 9 minute clip that has been made public and it’s, well, it’s many things. It’s infuriating, confusing, sad, disturbing. He’s also upset that people are calling him about the the picture. Who cares? Who is calling him to express concern that this woman posted a picture with Magic Johnson? What business is it of theirs? If Magic Johnson was some sort of street thug or criminal or a figure of controversy, then I could see someone having an issue, regardless of the color of his skin. But Magic Johnson is an NBA legend and hall of famer. He’s a respected businessman and social activist. There’s no shame in posting a picture with him.
Larry Johnson, a former NBA all-star and current executive for the New York Knicks suggested via Twitter that they should form an all black league with all black players and all black owners. Really? What is this 1950? Replace the word black with the word white in his Tweet and you’ll see how wrong the logic is.
Separating ourselves from those who aren’t like us is not the answer.
When people learn that I’m a Christian, they will sometimes make assumptions about me. The fact is, we all do that. We may see a guy with a bushy beard and tattoos, a skater kid with long hair, a single woman with 3 kids, or a guy that looks like he could be in GQ. In each of these situations we instantly make assumptions about the type of person he or she must be.
Sometimes people assume that since I’m a Christian that I hate the gay community. The truth is, I love gay people. I have family members that are gay and I have friends that are gay. One of my gay friends in New York is one of the people that I care most about in this world. The truth is that gay people are some of the most loving and respectful people I know. Some of them don’t really have a lot in common with my social, political, or moral values, but a surprising number of them do. You know how I know that? I actually take time to talk to them and get to know them.
Okay, since I’m sort of on the topic of religion, let me express some of my thoughts on that too. I’ve shared meals with Christians, Muslims, Jews, Atheists, and other religious, or non-religious, beliefs. You know what, we’re not as different as you may think. Yes, some of our religious beliefs can be quite different, but the things that we care about most, the things we strive for in life, the things that we want this world to become are not that different.
I’m tired of church-going people, especially Christians, acting like they are perfect and have perfect lives. That type of behavior is hurting everyone, especially yourself. But I’m also tired of non-church-going people calling church-going people that mess up, hypocrites. Church-going people are flawed humans just like everyone else. Of course church-going people mess up. Sometimes they mess up badly. That’s what humans do. Maybe if non-church-going people would stop calling everyone who messes up a hypocrite, church-going people wouldn’t feel like they had to appear to live perfect lives.
Let’s see here. Race? Check. Homosexuality? Check. Religion? Check. What’s left? Ah, yes. If I’m going to fully kick the hornet’s nest here then I need to add some politics to this episode.
You may assume that because I am a Christian and I live in one of the reddest states in the union that I must always vote Republican and I love President Bush. In fact, every county in my state was won by the Republican party in the 2008 and the 2012 presidential elections. The truth is, I do mostly vote red. However, it certainly isn’t because I’m a dyed in the wool Republican. I only slightly find myself agreeing more with those candidates. The fact is, I have never known of a politician that I cared for. I don’t trust any of them, regardless of which party they side with. But that’s not the point of this episode.
I have some friends that are far right wing, and other that are far left wing. Honestly, I don’t have a lot in common with either of them politically speaking. But most of my friends do not live in those far ends of the spectrum and whether or not they are mostly a Democrat or mostly a Republican, most of their political views are very similar.
Here’s what I’ve learned. When we as a society AND as individuals focus on our differences we cause division. A house divided against itself cannot stand. In reality, we all have much more in common than we might think. Don’t assume things about people. Instead, take time to get to know them. Look them in eye, shake their hand, and recognize that they are your neighbor.
There are over 41,000 denominations, or divisions, within the American Christian church. I assure you that nearly every single one of those denominations have MUCH more in common than they do differences. In fact, most of them branched off of each other at some point in the past because of some relatively small difference. Instead of focusing on what they had in common and what united them, they focused on the differences and it divided them.
We need to move beyond only accepting or associating with people who we agree with on political or religious views and stop discarding people based on the color of their skin or their sexual orientation. Instead, let’s treat those differences with respect and allow those differences to open up conversation. Through those conversations I believe that we’ll find common ground, build stronger communities, and forge friendships. And that, will make this world a better place.
I’m Darrell Darnell and this has been stuff I learned yesterday.
If you’ve enjoyed this episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday, I would be grateful if you’d leave a review in iTunes or Stitcher.
[sc:stuff]