Black People : Looking at the Same Thing - See Different

[river]

Hey sista Destee.

Yes, all of the above.

As Morpheus said in the Matrix if what is real is what we see, feel, hear, taste and smell then what is real is merely electrical impulses interpreted by the brain. How can electrical impulses flowing through two different bodies be interpreted in the exact same way by two different brains?

If I come in out of the cold the room will feel hot to me. I will look at the person laid up in flannel pajamas with three blankets and think that person is crazy. We are both experiencing the room at the same numeric temperature. But my body has adjusted to the cold outside and my blood is rushing through me from exercise so it's hot to me. Because I see myself as a reasonably healthy and intelligent person I naturally question the health and intelligence of anyone who doesn't feel (interpret electrical impulses) what I do.

I this is true of something as concrete and scientifically measurable as room temperature how much more divergent will our interpretation of abstract concepts be--intentions, attitudes, tone of voice, common sense?

Communication is the only way we can help each other see what we see. I should say active communication. We cannot not communicate. Even if we tape our mouths shut or stick our fingers in our ears something is being communicated--experiences (electrical impulses) are being interpreted. In the absence of active communication these interpretations will not be based on an accurate understanding of what the other person sees.

This has been a public service message brought to you by Da River

 

[Kamau47]

Peace and Blessings Family,

How do we look at the same thing and see something different?

How do we help each other see the same thing ... where i see what you see and you see what i see?



Destee

Beautiful Sister Destee,
I think that it is much more important for us to understand and believe in what others tell us they see. The prime example for me would be whites & racism.
I do not believe that white people will truly understand about racism because it does not adversely affect them; they only benefit from it. I have to admit that I have banged my head against the wall trying to get some whites to see what I see, only to come to the conclusion that they can't see it because it's not against them, it's against me. So, instead of getting them to see it, I try to get them to just accept what I tell them about it. Whites will never be able to walk a mile in my shoes because the journey would be devastating to them after a couple of steps. So now, I just try to give them a postcard of the trip in hopes that they will just accept it without the personal experience to validate it.
Besides, it's what I do for them when it comes to being privileged & free. I can only accept their explanation of it. I surly can't see it.

 

[thePreacher]

It is inevitable, in this life, that different people are going to see things differently, based on their own unique life experiences. We do not have to always agree. But, we should work harder at accepting the right of others to disagree with us; even when they disagree with what we hold most sacred.

 

[river]

It is inevitable, in this life, that different people are going to see things differently, based on their own unique life experiences. We do not have to always agree. But, we should work harder at accepting the right of others to disagree with us; even when they disagree with what we hold most sacred.

Yes, even more difficult than trying to understand why people are different is accepting the fact that they are and that they have a right to be.

It is the opposition of the blades that makes a pair of scissors useful. Have you ever tried to use a pair of scissors with both blades facing the same way? The opposition of the blades pushes the material of life to the cutting edge of truth.

 

[cherryblossom]

Allow room for differences, know that different doesn't necessary mean "wrong". Take a minute to hear and invision life in someone elses shoes. Understand they may never see what you see, and except it's their right to choose not to.

It is inevitable, in this life, that different people are going to see things differently, based on their own unique life experiences. We do not have to always agree. But, we should work harder at accepting the right of others to disagree with us; even when they disagree with what we hold most sacred.