Judgments

In reflecting on my last week, one thing that particularly stuck out to me was a conversation with a dear friend about judgment. She has been deeply troubled and convicted about this judgment of all Greeks/ B-School attendees/general prepsters that attend this institution. It really struck a chord with me because of the realization of my own inner stream of one-way gossip that goes on in my head about these innocent people I pass going to and from class, dhall, the library, and so on. I confess I too often fall into the trap of putting myself above someone because of silly reasons like, “I eat organic.” Or, “I would never spend that much money on a purse,” etc. And I cannot seem to solve this problem. Why is it that we humans have this tendency to want to think we are better than someone else?
Inner battle. It is so easy to see and judge people as the mask that they throw on- the “Kappa girl,” “lax bro,” “frat star”…or “hippie,” instead of the humanity that is their essence underneath the exterior. You name it, every person has a label that is easiest to wear, and what a daily challenge it is to see and love beyond that! I feel like sometimes I’m rehashing an inclusion talk from a high school teacher or something, but this mental hierarchy we create doesn’t go away with “growing up,” I think.
My challenge to you- deep down, where is the identity that is hooked most inextricably to who you are? How does that dictate the way you see other people? The labels I too easily don, feel free to point out and tease me mercilessly about until I crack up too–hippie, earth lodger, academic, vegetarian (leaning), social activist, whatever. All pretty silly to put your whole meaning on, don’t you think?
…Because one day, one sad, horrible day, we will not be in Earth Lodge any more. I may fall in love with red meat. I could get a job working for a big corporation doing stuffy white collar things in a cubicle and love it! Or, one day, I could lose my memory (entirely likely) and what would be the point of academia then? If I could remember anything, I would want it to be the God and people I love, not the books I have read, the absurdly long papers I’ve written, or the silly stereotypes I’ve put on myself and others.
So go talk to that guy in the ridiculous pink khakis! Or that girl whose dad is clearly Ralph Lauren…you never know how wonderful a person is until you’ve read more than a few chapters in their way too fancy looking book of life.