Sometimes a quote is just a quote

Friend, foe... or both?  (Public Domain)

There’s a reason why Jesus commanded, “Thou shalt not judge.”

Judging historical figures solely by today’s standards can result in generational chauvinism, i.e., the belief that your own generation is the best there ever was.

Such beliefs seem rampant these days.  When astronaut Scott Kelly dared to quote Winston Churchill recently, he was met with a flurry of criticism.  One respondent pointed out that Churchill “was responsible for the Bengal famine of 1943.”  Kelly quickly backtracked, suddenly emphasizing that Churchill had “racist views which I do not support.”

If we all were viewed as scrupulously as history’s leaders are, the results could be equally disturbing.  Our everyday sins might seem small by comparison, but their ripple effects can be huge.

Perhaps mirrors should be erected where torn-down statues used to be.  Then folks could point fingers at their own reflections.   

Resources

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45789819

Copyright October 9, 2018 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved