Ken Norton once said something like ‘If you lose a fight in your mind, you will very soon lose it for real’. We’ve (not all of us, but enough of us) have lost this in our minds. We’ve been instructed over and over that we are weak, evil, etc... This has been done with subtle stereotypes in the popular culture. This is my opinion. Make a list of commercials and television shows. If there is a conflict, disagreement, or difference of opinion between folks of different cultures or sexes, write down what you see as the portrayal of those involved. If there is a lesson learned, who was the one who needed to be taught something?
I recently saw an article about “winners and losers” in the education/career area. The article was accompanied by two pictures. One showed three college age girls, smiling broadly. The other one was a grey-suited man sitting on some steps, briefcase at his side, head buried in his hands.
To me, he was cast at the loser. I guess one could argue about the message, about what was being characterized there. I know how I took this. I’m just asking you to pay close attention to the messages that are being delivered. What are the motives? More importantly, what would the effect be — of seeing these portrayals thousands of times? Who is the:
1. Coward
2. Wimp
3. Scumbag
4. Turn coat
This (obviously) isn’t a complete explanation, but it doesn’t have to be. It only needs to be a player in the problem. We pick up cues on how we are “supposed” to behave by these portrayals, and cues on how the world is supposed to be. What is the message in the character of Homer Simpson? Who does he represent?
What has caused us to lose our nerve, to refuse to stand our ground?