Individuals throughout history have devoted substantial time and often life's work uncovering and exposing this reality. Ambitious individuals write books, make films and even record music based on the absurdity of human nature. The best of them find that perfect balance between the drama and humor of the human condition. For example, one of my favorite filmmakers, Luis Bunuel had done this as well as anyone.
Bunuel spent his glorious career making surreal comedies based on the true satire that is bourgeois lifestyle. In front of his camera hypocrisy is as palpable as a goat walking into a formal dining room-in some of his pictures quite literally. How hilarious it is to experience an individual attempting to exude importance in front of esteemed guest with leaves sticking to his or her hair after rushing in following an afternoon tryst in the bushes. How I roll with laughter seeing a well groomed man dressed in a designer suit caught rolling around in a woman's closet, fondling a pile of shoes.
Satire is a wonderful format to shed light on the ludicrous habits of human beings. The stories may seem exaggerated or perhaps ridiculous, however, I believer in real life these realities are living and breathing behind closes doors and often behind lock and key. Ask yourself this...how many people, if any, have you revealed a hundred perfect of yourself to, all your fantasies and fetishes and deep dark secrets?
I've prided myself in being a fairly honest person overall. I've tried hard to be as honest as possible to those I'm closest to. Obviously however, I too am a hypocrite and have embellished stories of my past, told blatant lies at times and have secrets I'll probably never reveal.
What I find fascinating is how many people can recognize details of others lives while entirely oblivious to that of their own existence. Some people would condemn others for things they've done themselves. Consider stories of individuals caught in acts they're perceived to be against, activities that contradict their public persona. How often people make vows that they don't even intend on keeping, law officers breaking the law, religious authorities committing the worst of sins. As we'll all go along judging others yet refusing judgement of ourselves, we should keep in mind that words can be harsh but if spoken with a focus on the truth of the matter, our speeches could be more of a comment on human nature than slander of an individual's own character.
I challenge society to speak openly and honestly about the details of life, just as Bunuel did so effectively in his films. If we expose the cold, hard facts about everyday life it may offend the majority, although not without asking pertinent questions about our values as a whole. Certainly the most uptight of us will be offended by anything questioning our lifestyles and beliefs. If you believe that everything you do is void of farce than its doubtful that you'll ever look objectively at yourself or anything else around you.
It's a wonder how long we've been this way. It's unlikely the Cro-Magnon's struggled with this. Also, some cultures, those thought of as "lower class", live more primitively and typically without masks and hidden agendas. It's the middle and upper class societies that usually fit the mold. It may be our society itself that's caused this sensitivity. We shouldn't use certain words or phrases. We have to talk a certain way and fall somewhere in the "politically correct" tones of dialogue. We try to live within particular guidelines based on a random set of rules. Hypocrisy is our way of balancing on the tight rope. If we act appropriately than we'll be perceived as having good values and therefore incapable of making mistakes. There are times when a line is crossed and people get hurt. Most people recognize that line and, though occasionally going outside the acceptable boundaries, will never cross that line. Having said that, most people have thoughts they are uncomfortable admitting to and some act out in ways they'd have trouble justifying if caught in the act. That's what hypocrisy is all about- the ability to say what sounds good to others and than act the way you want to anyway.
There is a fine line between exploitation and censorship. I'm not saying we should go out and do horrible things and be honest about it. All I'm debating is how liberating it would be to be honest about the thoughts we have trouble ignoring. Those of us healthy enough to know the difference between right and wrong have no need to fear an imaginary line we'd never cross anyway. We can speak candidly, be the proverbial voice of the masses and commiserate with our fellow humans. We can laugh together, cry together, poke fun at one another; realizing, making fun of you is making fun of me. The most inspirational individuals in our lives should not be the ones that stand before us shouting fairy tales and insincerities but the ones who look us in the eye and tells us exactly how they feel.
Bunuel, Dali, Spike Lee, Martin Luther King, the Sex Pistols, they are a few of the people who've spoke volumes to me. I've been inspired by their willingness to express the thoughts and beliefs most haven't the courage to disclose. I desire to find my medium to follow in the footsteps. That's the reason I write poetry and essays. I say this knowing full well that I am a hypocrite and will always be one. Just as they did, I stand tall declaring that I am human; fickle, pretentious and completely ordinary.
In closing, I dream of a world free of deception. Think of how liberating it would be to accept the fact that you're not perfect. Consider the sense of relief in knowing you don't have to meet a standard or have to tell dishonesties to be accepted. Remember this, outside your door is others like you, living to disguise their insecurities and indiscretions. They too, with all their own secrets and idiosyncrasies, would be thrilled to know that we all share a common thread: Respective pieces of a very imperfect puzzle.
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