Choosing Sides

Today, I want to take some time to reflect on the big news stories of the past couple of weeks.

People are up in arms about Algerian Imane Khelief, a female boxer who has been allowed to compete in the Olympics despite having an “advantage” of excess testosterone, further muddying the waters around gender.

Others are decrying the inclusion of Steven van de Velde in the Dutch beach volleyball team because he was convicted of raping a 12yr old girl in 2014.

Cities are reeling after riots spread across the UK ostensively protesting the mass stabbing of children in Southport. The far right fuelled by disinformation railed against migrants and Muslims, despite the fact the 17yr old perpetrator was neither of these.

And, of course, we have continued violence in Ukraine and Israel, as well as civil unrest in many countries around the globe.

I’m not about to weigh in with an opinion on any of the above, so take a step back from the keyboard and relax. There are, however, a couple of points that I would like to make.

The first is the role of social media in all this. The internet is the first place many people visit to find out the latest news, but the truth often gets buried under a slew of posts making judgements, sharing lies or making spurious claims. Even when others speak out, their voices are lost in the regurgitated offerings that fly around the world in the space of minutes. Like Chinese whispers, each telling moves further from reality.

I, too, have found myself caught up in some of this, but I retain enough sense to search for the facts instead of joining the screaming mobs. We like to think we are more enlightened these days, because we have access to huge amounts of information at our fingertips, but I find it makes digging down to the truth that much harder to do.

Disinformation is not a modern concept. I could point to the early Christians who were accused of eating flesh and drinking blood (communion), a similar libel also resurrected against Jews in medieval times. Hitler knew the value of propaganda. He is quoted as saying “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” All political parties use the talents of “spin doctors”, putting their own interpretation on stories, and, of course, we have Donald Trump accusing the news stations of manufacturing “fake news” in order to attack him and his policies.

It's hard to find trustworthy sources.

My second point is about judgement and forgiveness. People are quick to judge and condemn others, especially pointing the finger in horrified accusation at public figures who have done wrong. It doesn’t matter if the offence was years ago, that restitution has been made or punishment served. It seems a person’s sins are to be forever counted against him, ostracising them from all good society, and leaving a black stain on everything they touch.

It feels good to highlight another’s wrongdoings. It takes the focus off our own faults and failings.

It may come as a surprise to you, but I am not perfect. I have made mistakes, bad judgement calls, hurt others through my words and actions. But I think it would be unfair if every time I wrote a blog, posted on social media or published a book, someone highlighted how horrible I was to Dorothy Davidson when I was seven years old, and how I started a rumour that she had fleas. Not only is it ancient history, but I have changed since that time. I would never do that to anyone else. Even now, as I sit here typing, I still feel remorse for what I did all those years ago.

You may argue that my ignorant mouthings as a child is not in the same league as Steven’s terrible crime, you’d be wrong. If the pass mark is fifty and I get 45 to his 5, both of us lose. There is no grading system for transgressions. As the good book says, we all have sinned.

Consider this: every time you point the finger at someone else, there are four more aimed at yourself.

Hate, misery, conflict, impatience, malice, wickedness, dishonesty, brutality and rashness. Do you see these things in your world? I look at the TV, read the paper, listen to conversations, watch how people treat each other, and I can see all these things running rampant in our society. It is reflected in the programmes we watch and the books we read. It is a horrible darkness that is spreading.

There is an alternative.

The world would be a much better place if instead we practised love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Seek the truth. Give people a second (or third) chance. Stand up for the rights of others, especially minorities who have little or no voice. Work for peace.

I was heartened to see how communities in the UK have come together to clean up the streets after the riots and help those who were attacked. I am proud that those standing with minority groups and refugees far outnumbered those called to take to the streets in Southampton, meaning that the feared riots never materialised. It gives me hope. No matter how loud dissenters shout, there are those who quietly bring healing and love, who hold out the hand of friendship, and stand strong before the tanks of lies and hatred rolling through our streets.

I want to be counted among them. I choose love.