Stumbling on Morality

Gone are the days of open inquiry through reason, argument, and persuasive rhetoric, instead, replaced by an emphasized moral regard which in turn has created an all-or-nothing fallacy between Good vs Evil. Systematically implemented by institutions through sheer power, engrossing us, the American populous, in a morality debate that has anesthetized our ability to critically think. We rang in the new year focusing on Trump’s confidential conversation describing Haiti – with some contestation – as a “Shithole” or “Shithouse”. Lost in the overt racism, we are failing to ask why?

Why is Trump calling Haiti what he did? I am in no way justifying that kind of crass labeling of a country, but the democratic response has been to mystify economic disparity with the celebration of rich Haitian culture.

We are failing to address serious economic issues Trump’s presidency has raised, that is, not to oversimplify infinitely complex issues with a simple economic determinism, but how can we expect people to focus on issues of morality while they struggle in their current circumstance. Amid technological marvels and advancements, artificial intelligence has superseded critical human engagement in serious intellectually charged discourse. We are failing to recognize the biases in seemingly unbiased search engines; information has become commercialized and commodified with its roots deeply planted in capitalistic venture. This is a generational plea: avoid the fundamentalist attitude, work within the parameters of the Good and Evil binary, and explore innovative ideas through a sense of iconoclasm. I ask you to ask questions.