I have an odd way of viewing the world. Because of that, I have had many people call me unsavory names, make assertions that simply aren’t true as well as attempted to defame my character. Nevertheless, I know who I am, what I’ve done and said so I remain true to myself while ignoring the naysayers. One of my abhorrent pet peeves is when a person slanders or is libelous to another while they have absolutely no recollection of their own shortcomings. They want forgiveness and mercy for themselves, yet refuse to offer the same to others. Instead, they point out the weaknesses and mistakes of others to deflect their sins refusing to fine tune their own lives.
I was taught by those who would most definitely be considered racist and obstinate; but I refused to adhere to their prejudices. I knew who they were, how they acted and what they said about others. Therefore their viewpoints gave me pause and caused me to examine my own values. I have probably have always bucked authority in the sense that just because someone says something, that doesn’t necessarily make it true. Actions speak so loudly at times, that I can’t even hear what the person is attempting to say.
When I was in grade school we had some interesting faculty members who went out of their way to teach the children about acceptance of others regardless of their race, sex, differing abilities or any other subcategory people tend to compartmentalize others into for the sake of feeling superior to people unlike themselves. A college group traveled around the different schools in our district to share a lively play based upon Dr. Seuss’ “Sneetches and Snitches.” They explained that the Sneetches thought themselves to be loftier than the plain Snitches because the Sneetches were born with a star on their bellies. While the Snitches were simply ordinary folks not worthy of much, which made them sad, depressed and unloved.
An opportunist, a man by the name of Sylvester McMonkey McBean created a machine whereby the Snitches, the ones without stars, could indeed become just as special as the original Sneetches who were born with stars. He charged the Snitches minimal amounts of money to give them their hearts desire, to become a Sneetch for three whole dollars. The Snitches flocked to the machine to be just like the adored Sneetches and got their star, finally proud to be like the adored Sneetches.
As the story goes, the Sneetches were very much dismayed that they were no longer considered special anymore because now anyone could be just like them. The marvelously deceitful, but obviously astute business man told the Sneetches that he could make them an original again by removing their revered stars for a mere ten dollars. The Sneetches were elated to be able to prove that they indeed were superior to the former plain Snitches who now adorned the coveted stars of the original Sneetches. The Sneetches lined up to give their money to Sylvester McMonkey McBean to rid themselves of the now hated stars that adorned their bodies. He gladly took their money and appeased their desires by removing the offending stars that everyone now had.
On and on this circus-like fiasco went, Sneetches removing stars, Snitches obtaining stars, then vice versa and so on. By the days end, Sylvester McMonkey McBean packed up his worn out machine, having pocketed all the money he received from the Sneetches and Snitches and left them to deal with the aftermath, broke and confused. Some Sneetches had their stars back on their bellies while others had theirs removed. Many Snitches were star-free while others were sporting their new stars. No one knew who was a “real” Sneetch or who was a “real” Snitch. And the professor had left town with his machine and all of their money.
This entertaining story as told by Dr. Seuss in his unique way was a satire of the state of our country many decades ago. The prejudices long since passed down over the ages pitted sexes, social classes, cultures and all other abominations against one another as a way to divide, not unite. Everyone has something that makes them utterly unique, worthy of praise and respect. The great divide isn’t something that we are born with; rather it is something we are taught, along with other revolting things.
Not all Sneetches, just because their lives have been blessed in different ways than some of us wish ours had been, are superior to anyone else. Furthermore, not all Snitches are bad or less than worthy, regardless of what we’ve been taught to believe. So, now all Sneetches aren’t Snitches and not all Snitches are Sneetches. There are very few absolutes in our world. Indeed, gravity may be considered one of them; but even gravity can be manipulated under certain circumstances. The only real absolute is that everyone who has been born must die. That’s the only absolute we have to adhere to.
Not one single person who has lived is better, or worse than anyone else. Some may have been more privileged perhaps through ease of money, having excellent parents, the ability to assimilate much knowledge, discover then develop their talents, or any number of different blessings. But that just simply makes them unique. It doesn’t make them better than anyone else. When we gauge our progress against ourselves, rather than that of others, we will realize whether or not we have lived up to our own potentials. Acceptance of everyone and their contributions no matter how great or minuscule, are meant to unite us, not divide us. If we remember this logic and apply it to our own lives, imagine what changes we can make that would create harmony, peace and a sense of self-worth that we’re all so desperately seeking.