Call It What It Is! I Dare You

Generated by Bing Image Creator in response to the prompt: “please generate an image of a shadowy creature from a distance that seems like it might be a goat but is actually a bird up close”

The title of this post reminds me of a satirical exchange, the gist of which has two individuals debating over what the nature of a shadowy figure in the distance is:

-“It’s a goat!”

-“No, it’s a bird!”

And so on and so forth, one of them continues to insist that it is a goat. But, lo and behold, he then sees it fly. In his stubborn rage, however, he exclaims, “It’s a goat even if it flies!”

This silly response has instances in which it is just that ––a playful moment of comic relief. But take it to its logical conclusion in various examples throughout life, and we quickly realize how this phenomenon is no abstract hypothetical and is by no means innocent in all its iterations.

Genocide or not? Self-defense? Terrorism or not? Freedom fighting? “Call it what it is” is an appealing slogan with several persuasive justifications. I disagree somewhat with Shakespeare’s famed, “What’s in a name?” After all, what you call something, when done rigorously, reflects one’s knowledge of categories, and paves the way to formulate propositions, and reason with rational syllogisms, for instance. It affects one’s discovery of truth and one’s fairness when it comes to doing the right thing regarding that truth. This is all reasonable even before one considers the psychological impact of repetition, spinning, and other techniques that may be used with good or evil intent, and should invite a prudent individual’s caution regardless. Reason carefully and pick a definition, with all the nuanced variables it may include, then be consistent in the way you apply it, no double standards –simple, right? It doesn’t take a university degree to reason so clearly, nor a saint to feel that this is the right thing to do.

But there is another dimension to calling something what it is… Personal (or falsely perceived communal) interests, ego, various forms of unconscious bias, let alone sentiments of racial superiority or the like, can all pose serious challenges to calling something what it is (or is not). I will not tire you with examples demonstrating this point, which seems obvious enough. But this means that attempting to “call it what it is” may indeed backfire at times. It is not that you will not be physically capable of doing so. As long as you are not cut off, you will be able to literally do so. But such choices of words may bring out the worst in those who may otherwise be struggling with their own issues on the inside. “Calling it what it is” may be inciteful not insightful, and counterproductive not diplomatic. Whether in personal relationships or on the world stage, recognize when the rhetoric chosen in the name of “calling it what it is” actually makes a difference when it comes to saving relationships, fanning the flames of sedition and war, rescuing the innocent from the clutches of despair, and justifying wars that cannot and should not be “won”. For every innocent life slain, literally and figuratively, has killed the entirety of humanity in solidarity.

Yes, this is a judgement call. In each context, depending on the audience, and the intended effect, it may be effective to “call it what it is” or, instead, to find ways to rectify the situation without perceived name-calling, dismissive characterizations, or adding insult to injury. Sure, taking different approaches may not always be a bad thing. Being gentle and careful means not only choosing the right words, demeanor, and tone, but also being carefully strategic in approach and prioritization. Different roles, coordinated or not, can function to serve the same goal in different ways. At times, the conscience of a community is without a pulse, in need of a wakeup call, a ‘rude’ awakening (honest, not literally rude). An oppressed individual may find no way out but to call for help and name his or her oppressor’s crimes. In yet other situations, two bitter enemies have been at it for far too long, and even the closest friends of each enemy have to be brave enough to help their friend in a wise way –not by emboldening them to keep going in their insanity, not by merely suggesting that they calm down, but by doing all that is in their power to stop them from morally and physically shooting themselves in the foot.

Enough for now, see you in the next post.

Intro to this Blog

I have been considering the pros and cons of focusing this blog on a particular theme or intended readership. With all the merits of specialization, I submit that my academic specialization has me niched enough for the rest of my time on Earth, and that I will be looking forward to this blog as a more diversified avenue of expression. It will still be me, just not always the PhD dissertation mode of me. For that, I beg your pardon, you will have to wait for the occasional academic study I announce here, or read parts of my dissertation (hint to fellow academics, in particular). So you can expect this blog to shed light on the more far-reaching implications of my work as an academic, tailored to a diverse and broad readership, weighing in on current events while also contextualizing and drawing lessons from history. Without further ado, welcome to Ali Moughania’s blog!