The word prejudice in its simplest form means: judgement in advance. In a more expanded definition: a preconceived, usually unfavorable judgment or opinion toward an individual or group, formed without sufficient knowledge, reason, or actual experience. Prejudice may bring to mind specific historical connotations. In school, many of us learned about the pastime of widespread cultural prejudices that were held against certain races of people living in our own country. Today, even the dullest of discerning gazes can tell you that the proverbial "past" is not-at-all behind us. While it would be a worthy discussion to dissect America's specific racial prejudices and the highly organized history behind then, it's not the reason we're here in this moment; I leave that important work to authors like Ijeoma Oluo.
We're here to address some of the more localized prejudices we hold, the ones that are difficult to look at because they involve a separation between ourselves and the ones, deep down, we love. Because these can have a tendency to be highly personal it's often best to start by panning way out. In our highest and ultimate reality, beyond individual personalities and opinions, there is no prejudice; only Truth. Truth at this level is not one-sided, as many here on earth would have us believe, it simply is. Prejudice, a crutch used to avoid fact-finding and human empathy, is simply another tool of duality to keep us angry and divided; distracted from seeing Truth as it actually is. It can certainly be said: that humans throughout the known written history have always found something to be divided over, but let's look at the past ten years...We've all witnessed or been directly involved in conversations involving our opinions, beliefs and lived experiences that have turned into arguments and have created rifts in relationships, friendships and even family ties. And for what? Nobody's right, if everybody's wrong. -B.S.
My point in pointing out this uncomfortable reality isn't a plea for everyone to try and be more "open-minded", it's an observation that if we let personal/institutional prejudices win, then humanity loses. Prejudices prey on our ability as humans to jump to a false sense of discernment, discrimination moreover, which creates "other" groups of people. These "other" people become less human, untrustworthy and ultimately something to be feared and hated. Meanwhile, the forces that help to reinforce the division maintained by prejudice, remain unobserved; free to lie, steal, destroy and pillage as they please. These prejudicial divisions only pull us further from the underlying Truth of our Oneness, with all life; including one-another.
If humanity is to persist on planet Earth and reclaim a sense of widespread compassion; we must stop prejudice, and it begins with us. Doing some fact-finding to see where prejudice 'lies' within us. If for some special reason you believe that prejudice doesn't exist within you; that's where to start! We all hold prejudices: learned practices passed down through generations unconsciously reinforced by fear, scared individuals, institutions, governments and so forth. Unlike the "punk forever", not-so-secretly institutionally-reliant anarchists of my youth social circles, I believe the solution isn't as simple as "burning the whole thing down"; but rather, removing the gasoline, guns and matches everyone seems to be clutching so closely to their person. Homework: Find out what un-checked, false believes you hold onto, about yourself and others, and fiercely question their viability. Stay vigilant and continue to remove the belief patterns that no longer serve you/humanity.
We have spoken enough about prejudice; so what about love? We've seen how prejudice and outspoken ignorance can tear people, families, even nations apart; so what do we do about it? How do we heal?
Behind each argument, each misunderstanding, each belligerent outburst is a human being; is, in our ultimate reality, Us. Finding human compassion for the worst of our perceived "villains" here on Earth may take some time, but what about those in our own lives who we have "othered" or been othered by. We have the choice here in this moment to forgive ourselves, forgive other people and seek Truth as it is, not what we've been told it is and not what we so passionately believe it should be. The Truth behind all truths, is Love.
For anyone who has been disowned for being different, having conflicting beliefs or simply choosing not to surrender their sense of individuality and stand up for what they know to be true: keep going, loving and try to have compassion, even for your oppressors; for they too are in a prison they do not understand. For every single one of us who have played the role of the oppressor, whether in this life or one like it: forgive yourself and with Love--free yourself from the perpetuation of ignorance and the damaging cycles of prejudice.
Prayer and meditation are two universal, non-sectarian methods for fact-finding, awakening compassion and understanding the Truth behind all truths. These ideals and resources in the form of books, classes, ongoing groups and in-person events live and thrive at East West Seattle.
Written by Steve Bonnell
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