Balance

Is there still time in this fast moving world for balance? I wonder.

Is there time to think through an argument, listen to both sides, digest, cogitate, debate, reason.

Is there room to listen, really listen before you come to a conclusion and jump in with both feet landing firmly on one side or the other.

I can’t help feeling that now more than ever, the world, particularly with social media, calls quickly for a reaction. You don’t want to be lost as the herd move on to the next scandal, the next outrage, the next war.

But here’s the rub, if we don’t find time to listen and listen with all our attention aren’t we in danger of thinking we know best and then seeking out others for our tribe who think the same?

Wouldn’t it be better if our tribe was more inclusive, that we could recognise we are all the same, we all have valid experiences. Is it just that some people have louder voices, better platforms, stronger words and those that don’t may just need more time and a bit of support to be heard. Does it really matter where that support comes from, a family member, a friend, a support worker as long as they can love and listen, really listen.

Surely, the wider the variety of voices that contribute the better the discussion.

Recently there has been an animated debate over the use of the word ret**d in the title of a CH4 documentary. I haven’t seen the documentary yet but I have thought long and hard about the issue. I have talked to people. It is not clear cut. There are those that think outright the word should not be used, there are those that think it was used for publicity, there are those that think it is ok for Rosie to use the word to take ownership back.

Personally it is not a word I would ever use. I have stopped reading books when the word has appeared on the pages and switched off films. I have never heard it used in my proximity but there have been others that have made me stop and weep.

I know it is bandied about in playgrounds with many other offensive labels. I really dislike the use of the label, the sound of the word but what I really hate is the sentiment behind it.

This is not only an issue for the ‘disability community’ and its allies but it it is an issue for the world at large. it goes way beyond the title in a documentary on Ch4, way beyond our small world but right into the matter of what it means to be human.

I still don’t know how I feel, I see the hurt on both sides of the argument. Rosie has defended the use of the title here and I really hope, for her and us, the documentary will make this clearer. But but what I really hope is that the world can be a kinder and more inclusive place. That the language we hear and use reflects what is in our hearts and minds and if we don’t know we listen not just to those with the loudest voices but those with the quiet voices too.