We hear reports of those who are misuing, misrepresenting and acting against Critical Race Theory, and I wonder what creates such closed mindedness and an unwillingness to learn something new and valuable. Why are people afraid to look at the truth of matters with a critical eye and a willingness to learn? What creates such a narrow mind?
Recently, my husband and I entertained a show that challenged my thinking in a number of ways. The show was somewhat uncomfortable for me because the elements were unfamiliar and challenging to many lifeways I had grown up believing in and supporting. Yet, I loved the fact that I was getting an inside look at lifeways different than my own, and using an open mind, the show built in me greater empathy, respect and knowledge of those lifeways.
When we block new knowledge, we imprison ourselves with regard to what life has to offer. Entertaining new knowledge with an open mind doesn't mean we'll agree with every aspect of that knowledge, but it does mean that we'll be able to live with a more open attitude and familiarity with what is happening in our families, community, organizations and nations.
If you take a long look at history, you'll notice that we are moving towards greater humanity, inclusivity and respect. Pinker's research some time ago proved that. Watching historic films shows us how far we have come, yet watching today's news shows demonstrate how far we have to go. The prejudice, violence and propaganda today will be seen as backwards, life-ending, destructive and barbaric in the future. Those who continually support exclusivity, bigotry, hate and other closed minded ways are clearly backwards--the truth of the matter is that when we work for greater respect, knowledge, inclusivity and equality, we all profit in substantial, positive ways.
What creates the closed mindedness that holds us back?
I believe this narrow mindedness is caused by many factors including fear, isolation, loneliness, lack of education and laziness.
Fear
It is frightful to recognize that your ways of old, the traditions and beliefs you and your family held dear and perhaps even celebrated, are now outdated and even harmful when it comes to good living. Though, not positive, there was comfort in belonging to groups that held fast to a few common. simple lifeways and it is uncomfortable to entertain the harmful truths revealed related to those lifeways. But when we consider what it means to be humane and what's good for humanity, we have to open our minds, think critically about our lifeways and be ready to embrace the great diversity of what it means to be human and what we need to do to support, love and empower one another.
Isolation
I learned a lot from my students as an educator. I was fortunate to teach students whose families came from many varied geographical locations, cultural beliefs/traditions and religious organizations. This diversity truly enriched my life and understanding of the world around me. The little bit of travel I've done, the education I had and my own research have further exposed me to the great and wonderful diversity of life. People, isolated from the world's diversity, I believe may be more apt to be closed minded and not open to the beauty, wonder and promise that natural diversity brings to our lives. This is why it is critical for schools to well educate children in ways that broaden their understanding and respect for the world around them rather than further narrow their minds. I'm hoping that the national movement to increase broadband access will also help in this regard.
Loneliness
When I think of those I know who quickly signed on to the Trump team's bigoted, closed minded, cheating, lying, destructive ways, I recognize that many of those people were lonely and by signing on to this somewhat single-minded Trump cult-like movement, they found a cause and group to belong to. I've witnessed the elation that these groups have with one another and the fact that many of these people were outcasts in society for many reasons. One common thread I've noticed is that many of these people that I know had challenging childhoods with not as much love and care as others. When we are lonely, we can be vulnerable and that vulnerability can attract us to groups that are not good for us or for the world. Trump is the king of using and abusing people who are vulnerable, and I think his personna in part, attracted lonely people.
Lack of education
There is no excuse today when it comes to a lack of education. We can easily educate ourselves by reading, listening to books, watching videos, and researching via the Internet. It is important that we choose reliable, honest resources and not be fooled by the slick progaganda, misinformation and lies spread by those who want to trick us to prop up their own power, privilege, protection, profit and pleasure.
Laziness
It takes time and concentration to research the facts. It's much easier to simply accept a few sound bites that feel good and require little action. To take the time to truly understand and think about Critical Race Theory takes good concentration, lots of time and the willingness to be uncomfortable and change your ways. Many people are too lazy to take the time to learn and instead simply accept that which feels good at the moment and doesn't require a lot of effort. We have to challenge ourselves to take the time to read, research, consult the experts and revise our world views and actions as we learn more.
Bottom line is that to be closed minded is to be less humane and positive for the world around us. To better support the wonderful and positive natural diversity of ideas, living and loving, we have to open our minds, learn, challenge ourselves and update the ways we think and live.