When talking about prejudices and bigotry, people will often speak of them as if they are the same. They belong to the same genus, but a different species (at least in my opinion). I had an interesting experience at the doctors’ office yesterday, while at one of the Emory’s clinics. I made a statement about my anxious concern over Bin Ladin’s being targeted and killed by government’s forces that were from the United States. When I started to make this statement, I made a Freudian slip, for this is what I said: “I am worried over Obama being killed”. The doctor and friend I was with of course laughed at my slip and I guess I became very red if not purple from embarrassment. This experience showed me two things about myself: The first one was that even though I thought it nonsense (at least on a conscious level) that people actually thought that Obama was Muslim; yet I obviously absorbed it and out it came in a verbal slip. Perhaps it shows me my real prejudices that I have over people from other races. I have no doubt that I have them. For they are irrational; yet they are part of me, just like other unreasonable aspects of my inner life.
Prejudices, if they are present, will manifest under pressure and if one is not aware of them they can perhaps overwhelm the ego and be acted out. At times when I am driving, women will do something ‘stupid’ on the road. So if it affects me I may exclaim, “Those women drivers” (or something even more colorful by far). I know that women are in fact good drivers, just like men, and some again, just like men should not be allowed on the road. Yet in the heat of the moment this particular prejudice came forward and I spoke it out. I may get mad at a man who does something that I perceive to be stupid, but I can’t very well complain about male drivers because then I will have to make a judgment against myself. Unless of course it is someone from a different country or race, then I may feel free to spout prejudicial nonsense. I am not proud of this aspect of my personality, yet I am glad that I am aware that it is there and also that I know how irrational and unjust such thoughts are towards those who are different.
Bigotry, at least in my opinion is different. Bigots, actually believe that their pre-judgments about others (be it religious, racial or political) are true and feel free to act out on them, if the situation arises. They can be dangerous and I try to stay away from such folks if I can. Perhaps I fear risk contamination, knowing of my own deep irrational psyche and wish not to be led down that ever more narrow and frightening path.
Br. Mark Dohle
Holy Spirit Monastary
