In droves, we marched to polling booths everywhere in the state and cast our vote. Some of us beat our heads in trying to make this all-important decision. Others simply knew who would walk away with their vote and still others couldn’t even be bothered to wake up and pull themselves to the nearest polling station. February 4 actually symbolised the one day when we are given ultimate decisive power to impact the nation by making the most important political choice there is. Yes, we were allowed to actively participate in creating the government. What culminated on Feb 4 however, was weeks and months of campaigning that all the candidates diligently focused on. Promises were made, speeches were delivered and manifestos presented, now what remains is to see what exactly we have done, and how far the promises are made good.
Today, more than getting political, I would like to take this opportunity to get logical, for politics is always debatable and sometimes betrays better judgement, but the human mind does have a more profound rationale that can always be explored. Hypocrisy has been defined as ‘the practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case’. What this simply means is a discrepancy between what an individual preaches and what he/she practices. Politicians are the most obvious example of this type of person, but in reality, they are just the example we chose to focus on. In reality there are individuals all around us who’s action and words are completely different. The Webster’s Dictionary says that a hypocrite “is a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess. A person whose actions belie stated beliefs.” Crisp and clear as ever.
There are many types of hypocrites and when we read more into this characteristic, it gets more complex. What is clear from all research however, is that a lack of ethics and integrity encourage and propagate the shenanigans of a hypocrite. The basic fact is that integrity and ethics are what guide the spirit to evolve. As individuals living in the century, we have allowed our ethical standards to get diluted for want of other more attractive goals. Hypocritical behaviour is at an all-time high. People feel absolutely no remorse post preaching in tones of superiority when they are blatantly aware that their action are contrary to their stated beliefs. The most dangerous type of hypocrite is the type that knows that their spoken word and core belief are not only different but actually contrary to each other, and they yet try to prove that what they are saying is the truth and nothing but the truth.
Luckily, we are rational and logical beings and a lot of us can weed out the falsehood in a person’s actions almost instinctively. A lot of us however, have become too surface gullible, by which I mean, we take for granted what is presented to us. Being able to go deep is where we can actually begin to make a difference. There is absolutely no need for us to take things said by people in power as written law. It is essential that each one be mindful enough to not consume every word and experience that is thrown our way. Basically, we need to follow our instincts and be picky with what we decide to accept as our own. Just because someone says something, it doesn’t mean we accept it. We also need not believe what is said and promised for what is surface, is not always what is truly believed. We have the ability to go beyond word and find fact, but it is important to actually think and rationalise to attain this feat. When a person in power speaks, and preaches, those in subordinate positions are made to accept unquestioningly. In this situation, both then turn into hypocrites of different types for neither is then behaving in accordance with their beliefs. It is not right to impose one’s own views on others and when people are compelled to accept without being given the freedom to question it is coercion and thus taking away of the most basic rights. What is also interesting is the fact that facades always fall away, and once those masks begin to disintegrate and reality is revealed, there is little coming back from. For hypocrisy in the long run will be exposed and thus it makes the most sense to not give your precious ears to the ramblings of the untrue.
- Charlene Farrell is a counselling psychologist who works extensively with children and adolescents. She also counsels and works with individuals of all ages. Emotional well-being, to her, is of utmost importance to a fruitful existence
