Binary America

Red. Blue.

Black. White.

Right. Wrong.

One of the challenges of adapting to life in America is learning how to cope with the cultural difference that is forceful argument. Many Americans are not shy of letting you know exactly what is on their minds; all of it, right now! Political opinions may be an inherited family trait (or obligation?) and finding reason and balance in bipartisan politics and discussion can sometimes be a trying exercise.

As (mostly) neutral observers this can often be amusing to observe, sometimes uncomfortable, and sparadically threatening. At times, it can lead you to wonder if America is becoming conditioned to viewing argument as a combative sport; two heavyweights slugging it out in search of an ego boosting knockout blow? News coverage can verge on being instruments of highly biased propaganda that further entrench views and divisions. Impartiality and seeking middle ground has come to be seen as a sign of weakness within the tribalism that is stoked in these flames.

When you step away from the current cacophony, and read the words of founding fathers, or watch the scratchy black and white footage of romanticised era’s long past, you can wonder what prior generations would think of the present. Would they be lamenting the lost art of debating the issue without disparaging the person?

The senseless violence that was wreaked upon the mosques in our hometown of Christchurch in New Zealand earlier this year profoundly affected us here half a world away; a cautionary tale of what can happen when unchecked thoughts become unbridled hatred. We must again learn that argument should be a structure that seeks shared principles as foundations, and adds different floors that build out and upon the diversity of opinion.

Challenge yourself to spend time to explore the views that others have. Perhaps, just perhaps, they can see some landmark or feature that is obscured from your vantage. Seek the panorama. Don’t dwell on any one vista. A television constructed of only black and white pixels (or potentially red and blue) cannot portray a vision of color and complexity. Don’t be a pixel stuck on the one chromatic. The natural visible spectrum has seven observable colors that combine to create millions of distinct tones.

Find time to paint yourself a new hue. You’ll soon find that the inside of your head starts to look more Sistine Chapel than monochrome.