Chameleons can move their eyes completely independently of one another. They can see in almost any direction, giving them almost 360° vision. This is how it is for me when someone asks me my position on a political question.
We witness a growing trend in the world to view politics through only one eye or the other. So much so that those who want to build community and peace find it increasingly impossible to create any cohesive vision from the completely mismatched pictures that the two eyes provide. Far easier and less confusing to shut one eye tight and insist that the other view is accurate.
Why are our human perspectives so contradictory?
Because one part of our mind’s eye sees the world through the filter of our emotions. We favour ‘information’ which supports our gut feeling, our loyalty to family, tribe, faith or nation.
Yet we also have a capacity to see things rather more objectively. To try to put aside our invested feelings, hearing all narratives and considering all sides, as a judge and jury are supposed to do. This viewpoint promotes inclusiveness and fairness.
In times of conflict fear, anger and distress trigger all of our survival instincts. Inevitably we first feel an emotion-based response. Those near and dear to us are likely to have the same reaction so our perceptions are mutually reinforcing.
Powerful players who gain from war and division (such as arms dealers and nations who provide arms) are highly skilled at manipulating ‘information’ to magnify and sustain defensive/aggressive (flight/fight) reactions. They do so to justify and amplify division and conflict.
It is up to each of us who cares to consciously open the other chameleon eye. This is disorientating! It leads us out of the zone of certainty. We no longer ‘see’ that WE are completely reasonable and in the right while THEY are dangerous unreasoning monsters bent on our destruction.
We now see two very different pictures and two narratives. Each ‘side’ has been primed to hate and fight the other by those who gain from war.
I have close family and friends on both ‘sides’ of the Israel/Palestine divide, and of the Russia/Ukraine (NATO) divide, and of the American political divide. I would like to try to explain to you who I hold very dear why I am on both ‘sides‘ and aim to maintain a chameleon vision.
If - with sincere intention and great skill - we succeed in finding a unifying aspiration. A path forward which seeks to embrace two completely hostile viewpoints, we are moving towards understanding and peace-building. It’s far from easy. Almost impossible. But the alternative scenario is much worse and even more impossible. To continue moving towards an ever expanding war zone with unbearable costs on human lives and our environment.
Cultivate a dual perspective. Become a clever chameleon - and help save our grandchildren’s future.
-Stefan
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