Normally, during the first couple of days of break, I end up binge-watching a show on Netflix or Amazon Prime. This time around, I became pretty engrossed in "The Newsroom," an HBO series that lasted three seasons. The show focuses on the production of "News Night" anchored by Will McAvoy and the ensuing drama and controversy surrounding the optimal ways of reporting the news.
During one episode, McAvoy interviews Rick Santorum’s openly gay aide on the Senator’s stance regarding marriage equality. As the interview continues, the conversation turns toward the aide’s race and sexuality and its possible impact on his support of Santorum. At this point, the aide states, “I am more than one thing. How dare you reduce me to the color of my skin or my sexual orientation. There are people who look just like me, thousands and thousands, who died for the freedom to define their own lives for themselves. How dare you presume to decide what I should think is important... I am not defined by my blackness. I am not defined by my gayness. And if that does not fit your narrow-minded expectation of who I am supposed to be, I do not give a damn because I am not defined by you either.” See the whole clip here.
This exchange highlights a perpetuating societal desire to define and label those around us. We judge and mark one another by our gender, our sexuality, race and socioeconomic status. We make assumptions and we categorize. But we also like to define public figures as inherently good or bad. So often public opinion either chooses to cherish or vilify members of society. This is inherently detrimental and dangerous for society because we end up denying the complexity of humanity.
Two broad examples that come to mind for me is the way in which society views both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bill Cosby. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a gifted speaker, academic, and leader who helped foster change and equality for the black community. However, this does not mean he was a perfect man. In 1991, a Boston University investigatory committee concluded that King had plagiarized sections of his dissertation.
Additionally, Ralph David Abernathy, who become the president of the SCLC following King’s assassination in 1968, mentioned in his 1989 autobiography, "And the Walls Came Tumbling Down," that King had engaged in extramarital affairs. So often we hold our heroes to an impossible standard. When we attempt to wash away or hide their shortcomings, we limit their story and prevent others from attempting to continue their mission.
In a different light, Bill Cosby’s reputation has been tarnished by the allegations made regarding his involvement in the sexual assault and rape of women. As horrific as these crimes are, we have simplified his character as well. We no longer acknowledge the contributions he has made to society. This is not to say that his alleged actions should not be condemned nor that he should not be tried in the court of law.
However, not all of his actions in this world have been out of violence and disregard for others. Following his son’s death in 1997, Cosby founded the Ennis William Cosby Foundation in his honor to provide funds for the education of underprivileged youths. He had also made several donations to colleges and other institutions as a way to help foster education amongst those who cannot afford such opportunities otherwise. Following the allegations of sexual assault against him, High Point University removed Cosby from its National Board of Advisors and the Berklee College of Music decided to no longer award a scholarship in his name.
While I do not protest the actions of these universities in regard to such sensitive issues, I do believe that these choices speak to a larger desire to define someone’s morals and character. Both men made contributions to society but history will likely view their characters’ in very different lights. This is not to say that these two men should be viewed in the same way or at the same level but that we often cherry-pick our facts and perspectives in order to support our own agenda.
When we adopt these simplistic narratives in the media, we will soon begin to view our personal relationships in the same light. As the aide on "News Night" eloquently stated, we should not allow ourselves and others be defined by the perspectives of others. We will limit ourselves and our ability to think if we do so.
