June is Gay Pride Month. If you used the internet or watched television this week, you most likely know that New York City legally embraced gay and lesbian marriage. Evan Wolfson says in today’s article in the Huffington Post, “If it can happen in NYC….it can happen anywhere” – Freedom to Marry, Evan Wolfson
When I began this blog, I told myself, “Deb, do not talk about religion, God or politics.” You can see how far that little lecture went with me.
There’s a major change in what we think and value, as evidenced by so many changes happening in the world today. The American Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual is changing or eliminating altogether disorders that discriminate against certain populations in the country. And, NYC just embraced the freedom to be you and me and to marry whomever we wish. So, how can I ignore this very important topic?
I’m not clergy or a politician; I can however speak to the psychological features of discrimination. Discrimination begins as a mental act that sorts information into categories to help us survive.That’s a tiger for example; I’m a small human being. Better run! It’s our biology’s fight or flight response to threat. We teach children you live here, not there, so if they get lost, they can find their way home. Distinguishing between who we are and are not forms our identity and helps to keep us safe.
So, what’s the problem here? Many of our deeply held beliefs stem from early fears and trigger in us a survival response. If something comes along then that goes against our learning, we may feel threatened. You may not feel it directly, but the fear is there, moving you to hang on tightly to what you believe to protect your place in the world.
Discriminating then is a particular use of the mind that operates separate from intelligence, it can keep us stuck in time, and lead to decisions that ignore real-time data and lack understanding, compassion and charity.
I’m not telling you to forget who you are or to ignore your deep beliefs. I’m saying—examine them for their sense today. This is your right, your duty. Take yourself out of a time warp. Use your intelligence well and let your heart into the problem solving process.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Please share them.
