Several weeks ago I was sitting at a party when someone in the group said something really hurtful and rude to a friend of mine. The offender quickly saw that my friend was upset and so they shoved them in the shoulder and said:
“Don’t be so sensitive! I was just kidding.”
Since when was being sensitive such a bad thing? I can think of defined moments in my life when someone told me I was being too sensitive. Each of those moments I can remember feeling stung with the laughter of others at my expense. When did laughing at each other become so acceptable?
Last week I was having a conversation with a woman whom I love and respect a great deal, who broke into tears telling me that she feels judged because she had a baby out of wedlock. Through tears she explained that she bought a fake wedding ring so others wouldn't
judge her. My heart broke as I thought, “Is this what we've come to? Hiding our differences so we aren't laughed at and belittled?”
Here at BYU we live in a culture where we assume everyone is just like us, but the truth is that there are people here of vastly different backgrounds, understandings, and strengths. Sometimes I think that because we all appear so similar we develop a culture of insensitivity. The attitude almost becomes, “I don’t have to be sensitive about racist jokes, another religious belief, an alternative lifestyle, etc., because there is no one to offend.” Boy, are we wrong.
Every day, people all around us feel smaller, more insignificant, stupid, and rejected because of a lack of sensitivity on our part. This isn't a them problem, it’s an us problem. I see our time at BYU as a perfect opportunity to develop a moresensitive approach to others and their decisions. This is the test. While we live in a seemly homogeneous place, let us look for the differences that are more apparent than we think and then let us be sensitive. “Just kiddings” are hurtful. Everyone can be funny at the expense of someone else. Only truly witty people can be funny without taking a cheap shot at someone’s expense. Being sensitive doesn't make you weak. It makes you a friend, a confidante, a supporter, a listener, an advocate. Let us all be a little more sensitive to those around us and build each other with appropriate, kind humor.
ADSENSE HERE