1. “It’s fair because it’s the rule.”
2. It’s fair because it’s how we’ve always done it.
3. It’s fair because it’s how it is.
4. It’s fair because it’s how it should be.

I do not agree with the statements above, but this past week it was brought to my attention that some, (perhaps a great number of), intelligent, coherent, functional individuals do abide by one or more of these declarations. I also discovered that with some prodding, coaching, an individual could stretch their thinking to understand and admit that a rule may be unfair and that it might be okay to work to change an unfair rule. This discovery was for a rule in a low stakes circumstance, but still is (I believe) a potential first step toward fair. I believe it likely becomes progressively more difficult to convince (perhaps a great number of) intelligent, coherent, functional individuals to work to change a tradition, a higher stakes circumstance, an entrenched belief.

According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “To imagine is to represent without aiming at things as they actually, presently, and subjectively are. One can use imagination to represent possibilities other than the actual, to represent times other than the present, and to represent perspectives other than one’s own.” To imagine is to move beyond how we’ve always done it; to move beyond how it is; to move beyond how one has been taught it should be. To imagine is to escape rules. To imagine is to be free of one’s self. I might go so far as to say that the preeminent manifestation of imagination is justice and the lowliest, ugliest, most ignoble expression of Humanity is negligence. Negligence requires no imagination and very little depth of character. One who thoughtlessly accepts, abides, perpetuates a rule or tradition that neglects or divides has no imagination. On the other hand, one who makes a rule that purposefully neglects or divides has a cruel, wanton imagination. Perhaps the bigger problem between the two is no imagination. There will always be imaginative, wanton cruelty and there will always be those who revel in its form; but I believe (to those with no imagination), imagination can be explained; taught. Perhaps a second bigger problem is a selfish, underutilized imagination. Perhaps underutilized because within the confines of our American way today, imagination is usually not rewarded and it is frequently punished. To encourage and perpetuate imagination, its utilization must be constantly reinforced and rewarded. That is not happening in this country.

I have identified three problems:

1. To be imaginatively cruel.
2. To be unimaginatively simple and simultaneously intelligent, coherent, functional.
3. To understand yet ignore injustice.

In recent decades, in this country (sadly) we have two political parties and a great mass of divided constituents. One party is imaginatively cruel. One party (despite their rhetoric) largely ignores injustice. And the great mass is unimaginatively simple. Previous to recent decades we essentially had one political party (ignoring justice) and the great mass for the most part undivided yet still unimaginatively simple. It feels that by creating division and adding a party that champions imaginative cruelty, we have taken a step backwards; but perhaps not. Perhaps by drawing out cruel, wanton imagination, we can stamp it out. It has always been there, but only in recent decades has it been exposed; openly and (more and more so in recent years) unapologetically acting in our politics and so blatantly in our daily lives. Now that we can see it, perhaps we can encourage its extinction and by doing so perhaps we are more likely to reinforce and reward imagination. Though even if we reach this point of greater likelihood, because imagination is a defining characteristic of Humanity, we must still reconcile our Humanity with our American system of capitalism and consumerism; an uphill battle. I have said before, “humanity impedes efficiency and our system today impedes our humanity.” But again, perhaps today’s flagrant, unashamed, brazenly obvious, tastelessly conspicuous, meretricious, unabashed, screaming practice of cruel, wanton imagination resulting in naked negligence will prod us forward.

I frequently feel out of place. I feel out of place because I strive to be free of my self, and because I strive to be free of my self when many, (perhaps a great number of), intelligent, coherent, functional individuals prioritize comfort, I feel out of place. It is not a comfortable feeling

To be an intelligent, coherent, functional individual who is also unimaginatively simple is to choose comfort. I could choose to choose comfort. But though comfort may return one to their self, their place, comfort perpetuates negligence.

To be imaginatively progressive, to be imaginatively compassionate, to actively seek justice, to add depth to one’s character requires discomfort. Discomfort encourages and perpetuates imagination and (as said) the preeminent manifestation of imagination is justice.

I seek discomfort to encourage and perpetuate imagination.

So…

I feel out of place because I am out of place.