Perspectives

While watching Bad Boys 2, something was really noticeable to me about the movie. It was about a drug lord in Miami and had the typical blood and guts plus high speed chase entertainment. A little over the top for my taste but Will Smith and Martin Lawrence did give it some levity, occasionally. 

However, what got my attention was the drug lord's attitude towards his mom and daughter versus a perceived enemy. It reminded me of the old mafia days where their women and children were kept out of "family" business. In the perspective of these women and children, who were treated with love and respect, they didn't see them as evil. Not so with their enemies, which is understandable. 

This is why I feel we have such polarity in the United States (and other countries that have theirs), they are seeing what they are being told to see or what they choose to see. 

I can't help but wonder if the mafia or drug lords' women knew the opposite perspective, even told that truth, but they turned a blind eye in order to protect what they had going for them or out of fear it might happen to them too. 

I'm sure our politicians and media know how to feed into that mentality. Ignorance isn't bliss. 

Which is why I'm glad my dad told me about the bank robbery perspective when I was a teen. He said the police have to listen to all the witnesses in order to form a conclusion... build up a case. Because they were all seeing things from their perspective. But each one felt it was the truth. Well, it was "their" truth,  because it was what they witnessed. Eventually, the police take all those puzzle pieces to put the puzzle together. 

In regards to what any government or media "feeds" us as truth, don't forget the others who are witnessing things. You may see a benevolent situation, where others may see the opposite. 

Or, there could be many truths to a situation. The side you choose is based on your perspective, which is why listening to other's perspective can give us a better understanding of any situation. 

Like putting a puzzle together that has a thousand pieces, it often takes time to see the overall picture.