10 May 2007

Grey or Gray

Main Entry: 1gray
Variant(s): also grey /'grA/
Function: adjectiveEtymology: Middle English, from Old English gr[AE]g; akin to Old High German grIs, grAo gray
1 a : of the color gray b : tending toward gray c : dull in color
2 : having the hair gray
3 : clothed in gray
4 a : lacking cheer or brightness in mood, outlook, style, or flavor; also : gloomy
b : prosaically ordinary :

5 : having an intermediate and often vaguely defined position, condition, or character.


I do not understand, the recent and growing abhorrence for all matter "Gray" (or if you prefer, grey, as you can see they appear to be interchangeable).
I do not have the energy it would require, to delve into each and every example that I have seen- just in the last few days. I wish now, that I had written them down. Suffice it to say. I have come under the impression that human beings, when re-acting come down solidly black or white-no gray. (When it comes to actually getting things done, they're much less enthusiastic.)
Let me start of the most obvious: politics-there is no gray. There is non-opinion or no thoughts, but for those who are invested in the process, regardless of how much they hate it, there are some very strong opinions; pro-life versus pro-choice, peace and liberty versus War on Terror, conservative versus liberal, etc. etc. etc.

Heck, people, no one likes gray hair, gray cars, gray paint (except the Navy), gray clothing, or gray weather (except for Thistle, of course).

Last night I watched part of two specials on God, Faith and Science, and today there were several articles and essays on the same subject. The short story was; because of the pushing and strident-cey of the Evangelical Right, the atheist and scientific folk are feeling pressured to defend themselves and have therefore is equated fundamentalism with a plague that will destroy the world.
Oh Lordy, can't we all just get along. I sat with my butt cheeks planted firmly on terra firma and listened--patiently-- to both sides. I happen to be a faith- filled person, who will answer publicly to being a Christian. I also have great respect and admiration of the field of science. Now here is the jaw-dropping exclamation of all times... I have no trouble blending the two, none whatsoever. I believe that the Bible contains inspired teachings from a higher power. I also believe that science is inspired by higher power. And... that the two were not mutually exclusive.

The same goes for political backbiting, for heaven's sake; every party and organization has something to bring to the table. There is much to be said about fiscal conservatism, and even some social conservatism. By the same token, the Liberals try hard to be all things to all people-which doesn't always work. But it allows for every voice to be heard (which is a nice thing in a democratically elected government) Independents, Libertarians, and Green party-- each have valid contributions to the success of this nation. Why does it have to be black or white? Why can't we all just get along?
It is almost as though, any attempt at collaboration would be considered capitulation, or worse- weakness. bullshit. Why would it be so hard to say "I never heard it put that way, I'd like to think about that. You raise a good point."
I submit, life as we know it, would not come to a grinding halt, stars would not fall from the skies and we as fellow Homo sapiens might even get to know one another little better, by listening to other ideas.

Many years ago, I had a friend who owned a women's clinic. She had her life threatened repeatedly, and at one point even had FBI protection, at her clinic... because they performed abortions. She was responsible for getting the two sides together in a meeting where each person was seated next to an opponent. The discussion was started with one person, who voiced their opinion, and the person to her left could only speak her position, after she repeated- verbatim-what the person next to her had said. I thought that that was quite clever, because instead of thinking up a snide, uppity response-- they had to listen to the other person's point! Brilliant. The upshot of all this was, they were able to reach agreements and come up with some creative solutions to their disparate points of view. (It was even written up in a national magazine).
It was about listening and hearing. Words create worlds.

I get so tired of the lies, the negativism, the attack dogs, the talking points and the sound bites. It is so hard to filter the truth from all the chaff (a polite term). I would easily forego it all except that I feel a responsibility to my community, my country and humanity.

Well now, if that doesn't warrant a nap, I don't know, what does. My brain is tired, and if you've made it this far- I'll bet that yours is too.

4 comments:

Wicked Thistle said...

Right on, sister! Couldn't have said it better (or anywhere near as well) myself. I am so weary of the "us vs. them" mentality of this country and this world. When, oh when, will it go out of fashion?? It's creating bad ju-ju.

p.s. Love the new layout of your blog! You'll have to teach me what you know, Obi-wan.
p.p.s. Way cool having Rena copyright your blog.

A.Fanny said...

Thanks for these thoughtful comments. We do seem to live in a polarized world. Talk radio made it an everyday confrontation. Maybe because there is less community face-to-face interaction, where polite behavior used to be cultivated to make life work, we are allowing our coarser natures to show since we are so anonymous. It's so wierd at a stop light looking at someone in the car next to you - they are usually someone of another race and culture around here, and we don't have any polite way to say hello through the windows. I was in a store yesterday and a young Latino girl (maybe 10) with her parents looked up at me, smiled, and said very plainly, "Hello!" It made my day!

~MAGILL~ said...

"Touch of Grey"
Words by Robert Hunter; music by Jerry Garcia
Copyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission

Must be getting early
Clocks are running late
Paint by number morning sky
Looks so phony

Dawn is breaking everywhere
Light a candle, curse the glare
Draw the curtains
I don't care 'cause
It's all right


I will get by / I will get by
I will get by / I will survive


I see you've got your list out
Say your piece and get out
Yes I get the gist of it
but it's all right


Sorry that you feel that way
The only thing there is to say
Every silver lining's got a
Touch of grey


I will get by / I will get by
I will get by / I will survive


It's a lesson to me
The Ables and the Bakers and the C's
The ABC's we all must face
And try to keep a little grace


It's a lesson to me
The deltas and the east and the freeze
The ABC's we all think of
Try to give a little love.


I know the rent is in arrears
The dog has not been fed in years
It's even worse than it appears
but it's all right.


Cows giving kerosene
Kid can't read at seventeen
The words he knows are all obscene
but it's all right


I will get by / I will get by
I will get by / I will survive


The shoe is on the hand it fits
There's really nothing much to it
Whistle through your teeth and spit
causeit's all right.


Oh well a Touch Of Grey
Kind of suits you anyway.
That was all I had to say
It's all right.


I will get by / I will get by
I will get by / I will survive
We will get by / We will get by
We will get by / We will survive

moi said...

You know, the very fact that you are tired of all this proves your point: it's all a waste of energy and time. Beware the person with a political agenda. It usually means they desire power and control in some way over your body, mind, and hard earned dollars. The only non-negotiable in my opinion is our civil (note the meaning of this qualifier) rights versus tyranny. Everything else is, indeed, a shade of gray and completely non-legislatable.

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