Know Better, Do Better!

I will admit that I have been able to enjoy the air on my high horse for too many years.  But I’m evolving, I’m learning and running with the ideas of Maya Angelou “when you know better, you do better.”

The other day I made the mistake of getting into the comment section.  I know that I shouldn’t do that and I know that it can’t end well, but I couldn’t help myself.  With the news that the supreme court in the US essentially ruled that someone couldn’t be fired because they were LGBTQ, I naively expected that this would be celebrated at least among those I converse with online.

When I clicked on the comments (again, my fault) I saw words like evil, gross and gay agenda.  I saw perfectly logical points being shot down with “it’s not biblical” and “God doesn’t condone evil”.

As I’ve stated before I used to have some different views on homosexuality, the trans community and the entire Pride movement so on one hand I get it.

With that being said, I think people can use their upbringing and their lessons as a child as a crutch for their opinions later in life.  Combined with the ability to hide behind a keyboard and the vitriol and hate that is spewed out online baffles my mind. 

They say that the most dangerous phrase in business is “because we’ve always done it that way” but I propose to you that it should be broadened to the most dangerous phrase in the English language. 

In the business world, when new information is available to do something better or quicker etc., it is expected that you will absorb and apply that information; we’ve always done it this way is a way to either get left behind or find yourself unemployed.

Why do we accept it in general society then?  I’ve been as guilty as anyone in the past but there is a passivity in most people and a desire not to rock the boat. 

“Grandma was brought up in a different time…it’s not her fault.”

“Oh, that’s just how Uncle Jerry is, he don’t mean nothing by it.”

I’m sure you’ve heard these things or versions of them as well and if you’re like me, you’ve let it slide. 

I’m not looking to cause wars at your dinner table or to split up families but its time that we start to call this out.  Whether it be with race relations or the LGBTQ community, there is no excuse to have these views any more.  We know better and it’s time to do better. 

Who are we to direct hate toward any group in our society?  What makes us better? 

I want to challenge all of my readers.  I want to challenge you to not only notice this in others but also in yourself.  

Notice if you’re putting yourself above “the other” in the real world or online. 

Notice if you’re falling back on the way you’ve done things and the way you’ve treated people rather than doing things you now know are right.

We can all make a difference in this world in our every day lives.  Treat everyone you interact with (IRL or online) with respect and the way you’d like to be treated and don’t fall back on ways that you know in your heart are wrong, just because you’ve always done it that way.

Know Better.  Do Better.