The Company You Keep

If you've been keeping up with the democratic presidential election, you have a perfect example of guilt by association. It is a typical human reaction to judge on the smallest piece of information or assumption. We question the association of a friend with someone else, the bond between couples, people we just met and decide they are not worth knowing further. We assign characteristics and qualities of one individual or a few to a group of people. Other countries decribe all Americans with a few comments. How fair is this practice?


Groups have been defending themselves against the broad brush with which they have been painted. Individuals defend their friendships or associations; against the adage that birds of a feather flock together.


Why should this be necessary? Even within the bird family, they have different personalities and behaviors.


This is a time to consider Dr. King's hope that we would be judged by the content of our (individual) character.


I believe we choose people who are like us in some way that may or may not be obvious. A sense of humor, intelligence, likes or dislikes. They may be different in ways that challenge us spiritually, emotionally or behaviorally. And yet, sometimes a dominant personality can sway the character of someone unsure of who he or she is either in a positive or destructive way.


For now, let us consider the question: Are we the company we keep? The simple answer is-- Yes, and No.

I'll leave it to you to consider.........