PERCEPTIONS

PERCEPTIONS

“Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest…

After changes and changes we still remain the same”

The Boxer, Simon & Garfunkel

Have you ever tried to change someone’s mind?  How did that go?  Did you use logic, facts, values?  Did you come away shaking your head realizing that your efforts were naught?  You gave it your best shot and failed. Then you realized that it is very hard to change perceptions, particularly of those who hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest.

Senator Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican, says the people who stormed the Capitol on January 6, were not violent, but decent law-abiding folks.  This despite the death of one officer, and injuries to many others.  These “decent law-abiding” folks smashed windows, and ran through the Capitol, some screaming to hang Mike Pence.  Johnson said he would have been afraid if the crowd were Black Lives Matter or Antifa.  I guess that’s his perception.  We’ll see how his constituents perceive him when he is up for re-election in 2022.

Today I saw that there is a growing black militia movement in this country.  The belief, or perception, is that the traditional law enforcement sector has not done enough to protect black people, and they are preparing to take the law in their own hands by organizing and training with weapons.  Whatever happened to the non-violent movement of Martin Luther King, John Lewis, and others?  I perceive big trouble if and when the black militia encounters the white militias in this country.  Vigilantes on both sides taking the law into their own hands.  This can’t be good.

White militias like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers perceive they are righteous defenders of the country.  Some cry 1776! As justification for their actions.  They perceive that the country is going to hell in a handbasket, and they are mobilizing to keep that from happening.  How to counter?  Facts?  Logic?  Values?  Not sure how to change perceptions.  All I know is we live in dangerous times.