Here Comes the Judge

Glenn Stewart Coles, 9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8-924, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4C 9T3

Text Box: In the past week, there have been two situations that have awakened loud judgment. These judgments are based on the words or actions of visible personalities, and declare that each has broken the rules of society. In both cases, spokespeople for certain groups are enraged, and demand that the perpetrators atone for their sins. Also in both cases, no one was harmed, and the recognition of insult was totally arbitrary. In the United States, radio personality Don Imus was first crucified and then fired for calling a team of women’s basketball players ‘nappy-headed ho’s’. While the description is obviously derogatory, similar descriptions abound in the music and videos of black Americans. The uproar exists because Don Imus is white. In Pakistan, female tourism minister Nilofar Bakhtiar has been vilified by Islamic clerics after publicly performing ‘an illegitimate and forbidden act’. According to the clerics, ‘without any doubt, she has committed a great sin.’ For retribution, the clerics demand that she be fired, punished by her family, and must make a public apology. Her crime? She was photographed hugging a male parachute instructor prior to leaping from a plane. Now she must fear for her life. In reacting to these situations, each individual will have a different response. Some will think that both cases are ridiculous, and wonder why people get so worked up about things. Others will agree that each situation displays great disrespect, and that atonement must be made. Finally, there will be some that believe that one sin is terrible while the other is irrelevant. No matter what the reaction, it is important to realize that all judgments are simply an opinion. The underlying feeling behind judgment is ‘I am better than you’. There is also a declaration that ‘my beliefs are more valid than yours’ and ‘you must show respect by following my beliefs’. Ultimately, judgment is based on insecurity. When one is comfortable and confident with self and beliefs, there is no need to demand acquiescence. When one walks with self-respect, there is no need to require it from others. Unfortunately, in our politically correct society, we must bow to the cries of the insulted. When bandwagon leaders such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton declare that their people have been wronged, corporate leadership quivers and complies. When powerful religious clerics publicly recognize wrongness, it is the duty of their followers to build anger. Ultimately, in a world that declares freedom for all, there are high penalties for saying or doing something ‘out of line’. When Jesus said ‘let he who is without sin cast the first stone’, he implied that no-one is righteous enough to pass judgment. What is even more important to realize is that any judgment requires a personal definition of right and wrong. Whenever you think that something is wrong, remember that there is someone else saying ‘No, it isn’t’. Whenever you feel that you have been disrespected, recognize the weakness and insecurity of the perpetrator. And finally, whenever you find yourself steeped in anger and focused on gaining an apology, realize that there may be more constructive things to do with your energy. © Copyright Glenn Stewart Coles, 2007 First Published April 15, 2007

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