The Lenses I Have

I was home today recovering from oral surgery so had a great excuse to turn on the "The View." Actually, I enjoy watching the Hot Topic portion of the show: they interrupt each other, take really opposing sides, and share some great wisdom. Plus, I particularly enjoy Whoopi Goldberg. That is a women who is not afraid to speak the unspoken and controversial, but does it a way that is so respectful. She just oozes cool!

Today, the women were discussing the presidential election, more specifically do women vote for Hilary because she is a women and black people vote for Obama because he is black. One of the comments made was that we should for the issues, not on the basis of gender or race. Whoopi made an interesting comment: it was through "white" goggles that this person was looking. As a white person, we have had political leaders who share our race; in fact the majority do. Other "groups" can't say that.

I find Whoopi's comment to be very insightful. We all do look at the world around us based on our experiences. It takes will and openness to change those goggles. The goggles or lenses we wear can provide limitation; however if we are willing to acknowledge these lenses, we can change them.

For me, I fully acknowledge that I see through my own lenses of personal experience. I try my hardest to not use my personal lenses to make snap judgments about people or situations. But like all humans, I fail at times.

I'm going to be teaching a night class next week called Managing a Diverse Workforce and at times feel unqualified to facilitate the topic. What does a middle-aged heterosexual white woman really know about diversity? Like everyone, I know about it. I know about the differences that exist in amongst of us: skin color, sexual orientation, work style, generation. All these things come into play when we deal with others. I have also been on the receiving end of discriminatory actions based on my gender, mental health status, and work style. No one likes to be treated based on a label that you are assigned. It's certainly not what Jesus preached or lived.

When I think about it, the only label that really should matter to me is "child of God." If I remember just this label, I can look at the world with this lens. All of the sudden, every person that I come into contact with is a "child of God" as well. That changes everything for me. With this lens, everyone is created good and everyone sins, just like me. It puts everyone on a level playing field. For me, I'm less likely to make snap judgments and assumptions about others and the things they do and say. I just need to be more intentional about putting on these lenses; I would be so much more loving in my words and actions if I did this. Talk about being the face of Jesus in the world. Powerful possibilities.