Hipocrites

To be a good hypocrite, is to be human

In honor of my co-working buddy who was not here yesterday when I sat down at the gallery, I want to write about a topic she suggested on a day where I faced my usual writers block—hypocrisy.

Today, the word tends to carry a connotation of deception or insincerity. And it is very connected to cancel culture. A politician says they value one thing, but then goes and does something that directly opposes that value. A celebrity claims to be a climate activist, then flies a private jet 98 times in one year. A friend saying they don’t like people who are late, and yet they are often late to things themself.

But hypocrisy is more complex than this…

The awareness and advocacy for a moral value might be present—even if the person’s actions haven’t caught up yet. That gap can actually signal potential for growth. And more importantly, if the individual is aware of their own hypocrisy, and takes ownership of it, it can be an inspiration for who the individual wants to become.

That’s when hypocrisy stops being malicious and becomes self-aware, even be endearing, or comical. Take that friend, who is chronically late, maybe they know they have a problem AND they really may want to change, but they own it, and they joke about it, making snarky remarks when someone else shows up just a few minutes later.

…And the origin of the word is interesting in that way as well:

“Acting in a theatrical part.”

Is not life, in some way, one big play?

Are we not all playing a part

a version of who we believe we are.

If you say you hate hypocrites, are you not, yourself, the biggest hypocrite?

If you tell me you hate hypocrites, you are either blind to your shortcomings or you are using sarcasm.

Being a hypocrite is what makes you human!

Nobody is perfect at every moment in their life, and their views and values are and always should be changing, or what is the point?

To stand on your high horse and preach the way it should be? To look down on those who try and fail and change their mind a million times? To tie yourself down tirelessly to a belief that you will inevitably outgrow?

To see the field and understand the game best, you must take new perspectives.

To take on a part of a great play, you must understand all of the characters and their perspectives and relationships to know your own.

To decide what flavor of tea you like best, you must try different flavors, and see how each makes you feel.

To be a great explorer you must adventure into the unknown.

Scientists and researchers must test the null, or opposing, hypothesis of their ideas to prove there is a real relationship between a cause and an effect.

The most influential converts—to religions, ideologies, industries, or even sobriety—are often those who’ve lived on the other side. They’ve experienced the full range of what’s possible, and then made a conscious choice about what’s best for them.

If you still don’t get it:

To be a good hypocrite, is to be human.

You have to be willing to explore the unknown within you, challenge your beliefs, test your theories, and change your mind. And if you are doing this with even a hint of awareness, you are doing a service to yourself and others. You are multifaceted, and that deserves to be celebrated and explored, not shunned, or canceled.