Going Greek
This life is a
continuous learning experience, that is, if you are looking to learn
from life.
Riding public
transportation yesterday, I was near a young woman who was boasting
to an acquaintance of hers about her fighting and how she has
humiliated certain individuals. I could tell in her eyes when I
asked if I could ask her a question that she was on guard in hearing
me address her. I asked a few questions, revolving around the
explanation in the purpose and reason behind the violence she
glorifies. She mentioned it was about domination; exuding power over
another.
This is the very
pecking order we accept as normal and just when we see it performed
through certain classes of people in society; the politicians, the
military, the wealthy. However, when this pecking order is presented
through the lower classes in society, it is portrayed as vulgar, low
and unjust. The news of street violence in the inner city is
portrayed in a different manner than the violence called for by
politicians and committed by military personnel in faraway places.
The culture of
violence is evident, but the bias is quite difficult to identify.
When reading about
Greek fraternities, sororities and the ancient Greek culture of
military training, of slavery, of citizenship and class distinction
based on physical strength, the present cultural climate becomes
clearer to identify. The bias also comes into view. The disdain for
one class of people while the praise for another class of people
committing the same unconscionable acts becomes apparent.
The blatant
hypocrisy and duplicity screams at you from the pages of history.
The repeating of ignorance and arrogant justification is noticeable,
but when most are distracted and plugged into a culture they cannot
objectively separate themselves from, the hypocrisy is
understandable.
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