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I am constantly reminded of the danger in buying into often illusory appearances.
It is human nature to give extra weight to what we see in writing, words that are delivered impressively or stories that come from "a friend of a friend." These truths are why we desperately need to educate ourselves on a subject before making critical decisions or even passing the information along.
For instance, in preparing for an interview with Senator Jeffords for this issue, I came across a series of attack ads run against him last year. Taking them at face value, you would learn that Senator Jeffords was the sole person on his committee who opposed funding treatment for hemophiliacs with HIV. On closer investigation, I discovered that the senator's opposition was based upon the fact that the bill did not offer funding to non-hemophiliacs who also contracted the virus through blood transfusions.
In the movie My Cousin Vinny, an unorthodox but ultimately successful attorney describes how a litigator builds a case hoping it looks like it is made of three-dimensional bricks. Those so-called bricks may be only playing cards, but the perception of solidity is often what wins the case.
To get to the truth, we must look closely at the 'bricks' we are being shown. We must remember that there are people who make their livings — good ones — telling us what we want to hear and putting just the right spin on things. As a community and as individuals, we must be careful to discern between bricks and playing cards. There is dangerous opportunity for doing great harm under the guise of duty or good intentions.
Don't take an ad's word on a politician. Research backgrounds for yourself. The voting records are easy enough to access. Don't just vote for a person because he is gay; question his positions. Of course we'd love to have more members of the GLBT community representing us in the government, but make sure you believe in the individual. Anyone worth your support will welcome your inquisition. More so here than in other places, our representatives are accessible. Call them. Email them. Ask questions. Educate yourself.
Don't be fooled by smoke and mirrors. Remember that putting the word 'fact' in capital letters before a sentence does not automatically make the words that follow true. Neither does it make the vague specific or the baseless credible.
Know your sources — and double-check everything anyway. In journalism, integrity dictates that newspapers not print stories based upon unsubstantiated information or anonymous 'tips.' A real newspaper won't even print a complimentary letter to the editor without a verifiable name, let alone assist in spreading rumors based on unidentified email messages. Outside the media, in the 'real' world, faceless, nameless, and apparently spineless individuals spewing venomous — but often hollow — accusations against people in a community are usually not reliable sources of information.
Taken at face value, at best they deliver embarrassing cases of foot-in-mouth disease. At worst, they destroy credibility and careers.
In short, take an active role in informing yourself — or be prepared for the consequences for yourself and your community.
