What is Ignore-ance?

The words ignorant and ignorance are thrown around today – usually in a derogatory way to demean someone who doesn't agree with us.  Sad.  Webster dictionary says ignorance is the lack of knowledge, education or awareness.  For me, the term ignorance runs deeper than merely a lack of knowledge, education or awareness.  The root of the word ignorance is to ignore.  If we ignore something, we are aware of it, but we choose NOT to admit we are aware of it.  So, ignorance isn't a lacking, it's a CHOICE!

Ow!

Where does our Ignorance show up?  Where do we CHOOSE to not admit we are aware of something?  Perhaps we are being ignorant about poverty in the world.  Issues in our country or our city or even in our neighborhood!  Perhaps we are choosing to be ignorant about the difficulties around the world.  Maybe we are aware of political turmoil in our world, but the problems seem SO BIG we do nothing and continue our lives, hoping they'll smooth over with time.  Or someone else will take care of them.  We're aware of problems, but we CHOOSE to ignore them.  Yep, this is Ignorance. 

Second Ow!

Gee, I'm not sitting here shading other people's ignorance.  I'm as guilty of ignorance as anyone!  I can't single-handedly solve all the world's problems.  I'm overwhelmed with my everyday life.  There's just not enough of me to go around.  What can I do to feed hungry children all over the world?

There's no easy answer, but I propose two simple steps.  Let's first admit our own Ignore-ance before we sling the term at everyone who doesn't agree with us.  By admitting what we know, as uncomfortable as that is, we might just be more willing to listen to what we don't actually know.  Which leads to the second step.  Let's engage in essential conversations where diverse opinions are engaged and NOT ignored.  Hey, we may ultimately agree to disagree, but let's at least seek to understand. 

These two steps will go a LONG way in solving our problems – on a global scale as well as in our everyday worlds.  When we are aware of a vastly diverse opinion from our own, do we fight it?  Ignore it?  … or do we engage it?  Engaging with authentic curiosity, opens our ability to actually LEARN something.  Enlightenment!

If the path to enlightenment is right in front of us, why do we accept, even embrace our own ignorance?  Because it's easier to choose ignore-ance. 

Third Ow!

Ignoring things makes life easier to bear.  It makes decisions simple.  Too simple.  Black and white simple.  We can BREATHE easier!  And believe me, don't we all need to breathe easier these days?  We need relief.  But alas, embracing our Ignore-ance is not a path to satisfaction, happiness, fulfillment or joy.

Humanity has the capacity to choose Ignorance or Enlightenment.  By choosing enlightenment, we literally SHINE light on darkness.  Let's engage in the essential conversations.  I believe, it's the only way our human species will survive.

So, that's it.  I'll step down from my soapbox now.

But …. please don't spend another moment in Ignore-ance. 

ENGAGE!