According to the Encarta English Dictionary, to be
open-minded means to be “free from prejudice and receptive to new ideas.” Hello. Why is this so difficult for some
people? Why, in a country that was
founded on the principle that everyone should enjoy such basic freedoms as
speech, religion, work, opinions, etc., are there so many people who harbor
hatred and disgust toward others who are different in dress, lifestyle,
religion, or ancestry? How can some
purport to abide by our country’s basic philosophies when they work so hard to
deny others their own rights and freedoms?
What happens when we don’t allow ourselves to be
open-minded? We lose our perspective in
life, art, and our communities.
When we refuse to accept new ideas from others who hail from
diverse backgrounds, we close ourselves off to new experiences. It is these new and different experiences
that help us form a better, more complete, view of the world around us. Learning how other people view the world
helps us to better understand why they operate the way they do. And when we understand what makes people tick,
we are better equipped for working together for the common good.
Having an open mind helps us develop an enhanced appreciation
for art, which in turn gives us a more complete view of the world. The beauty of art is its ability to subject
its audience to a variety of experiences.
Some experiences may be familiar while others may be completely unique
or even unheard of prior to the artistic encounter. Either way, art enriches our lives by providing
a better, all-encompassing look at the beauty, and sometimes tragedy, of life.
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Not your thing? It's OK. |
Having an open mind also means letting people live their lives as they wish. You want to get a
tattoo? Go ahead. Dye your hair purple? Why not?
Marry someone of the same sex? Go
ahead. Speak Spanish or German or French
or Jibberish in your home or place of business?
No problem. As long as these
things don’t hurt someone else or infringe on others' rights, what difference
does it make? Just because someone
chooses to do something different from the norm doesn’t make it wrong. It may be wrong for YOU, but you have the
freedom to make that choice. You
wouldn’t want someone to take your freedom of choice away from you, would you?
people are too quick to judge, that's for sure
ReplyDeleteSo true, Lynn. And so sad.
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