Why is it so taboo to tell the got damn truth!? I was raised by a stern, Silent Generation reared, black man who instilled in me the importance of doing right and to tell the truth no matter the consequence. He’d told me how he had rehabbed his life after dropping out of school in the sixth grade, committing armed robbery and being sentenced to a federal prison know as Lorton. He told me how it hurt him and how he’d vowed to himself to never leave his wife and child again as a newlywed husband and father when he served his time. When I was younger, I would tell the truth when asked, in fact that’s what the ole folks hated most about me. That I would tell the truth with conviction even if it meant sticking up for myself and others which you know that shit is frowned upon. This was the generation of elders who believed children should be, “Seen and not heard.” As I was disciplined for telling the truth I went through a period of telling little white lies to my parents. Eventually I found myself defending myself against lies. Sometimes you can’t even fault some of these weirdo’s, on average studies suggest that people may lie anywhere from 1-2 times a day to as many as 10 times a day. The truth hurts doesn’t it?
It was in the defending myself against lies that I figured out why I no longer wished to even tell “little white lies” as they called it. Where did this habit come from? The term "little white lie" is believed to have originated in the early 1800s and is derived from the idea that a lie that is small, harmless, and told for good intentions is like a tiny white cloud in an otherwise clear blue sky. The color white is often associated with purity and innocence, so a "little white lie" implies that the falsehood is not meant to cause harm and is meant to protect someone's feelings or avoid conflict. In my mind as a child, I figured out people only lie out of fear or personal gain so I adopted the personal belief that since I don’t fear shit and am not concerned with gaining anything not meant for me through the universal laws of attraction so I would no longer lie. Whether it’s a “white” lie or a “black” lie which everything toxic in our American society seems to be rooted in prejudice. For instance, Black lies, or telling a lie to gain a personal benefit, are universally condemned. In contrast, white lies, or telling a lie to please another person, are seen as an innocent part of everyday interactions. You feel me, so even their lying has a social conditioning to believe that its innocent. Racially everything “Black” (dark), is associated with something mischievous, hidden, so when a lie is “black” the intentions are bad. Now why is that?
Some of the most famous examples of compulsory prolific liars include Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, and Elizabeth Holmes. Each of these individuals was able to deceive large numbers of people through their manipulation and deceitful tactics. To control the masses, you must oppress people by creating a form of division, in this case colorism and good and bad are the devising factors to lying. Let’s take a deeper dive though because I noticed most of the most prominent people, leaders, and admired are chronic liars. Reasons stem from the need to have:
Power and control: Some individuals may lie to maintain power and control over others. By manipulating the truth, they can influence outcomes and maintain their position of authority.
Image and reputation: Leaders and prominent individuals often have carefully curated public images to uphold. Lying may be seen to protect their reputation and avoid scrutiny or criticism.
Avoiding consequences: Lying can be a way for individuals to avoid facing consequences for their actions. By deceiving others, they can escape accountability and punishment.
Success and achievement: In competitive environments, individuals may feel pressure to succeed and achieve at all costs. This can lead to dishonesty to gain a competitive edge or achieve desired outcomes.
Justification and rationalization: Some individuals may convince themselves that lying is necessary or justified in certain situations. They may rationalize their dishonesty to a greater end or to protect themselves or others.
It’s been my experience and observation that those who don’t, or refuse tell lies are treated provocatively and ostracized by the majority which is why the truth has no friends due to fear mongers worrying that their truths may be exposed. Not all prominent individuals are chronic liars, and there are many leaders and admired individuals who value honesty and integrity in their actions and communications. However, throughout “HIS”tory, lies have been perpetuated and has become a way of life. Lies are having a profound impact on society socially with the rise of social media. With the proliferation of fake news, misinformation, and deceitful content being spread through various platforms, it has become increasingly difficult for people to distinguish between fact and fiction. It's disgusting, all of us knows someone who gets on social media wellin’ about their financial status, emotional state, relationship health, and worse even smear campaigns against the unsuspecting and the illusion of celebrity. This has resulted in a significant erosion of trust in both the media, ya mans and ‘nem, institutions, as well as a division within society based on differing beliefs and ideologies. I mean think about it, we are having gender/race/economic class wars online daily trying to out trauma the next persons experience.
The spread of lies on social media has also had a detrimental effect on public discourse and civility. It has fueled polarization, hatred, and hostility, as people are more likely to engage with content that aligns with their existing beliefs and perceptions. Like that wild ass “Cancel Culture” shit, society has been wielding like a knife. This has resulted in the creation of echo chambers and filter bubbles, where individuals are only exposed to information that reinforces their own viewpoints, leading to a lack of empathy and understanding for opposing perspectives. Hell, look at the leadership we have influentially, Trump for instance not only is his last name indicative of his nature but his rhetoric, bullying, and lies have been widely received even with a form of transparency some knowingly support him. It’s insane although politics for many years have lied to us covertly and society ate it like a lover who was cheated on and stayed, “We all eat lies when the heart is hungry.”
Furthermore, the proliferation of lies on social media has made it easier for malicious actors to manipulate public opinion and influence political outcomes. Foreign governments, extremist groups, and other nefarious actors have used social media platforms to spread disinformation, sow discord, and undermine democratic processes. Overall, the prevalence of lies on social media is contributing to a breakdown of trust, civility, and democracy within society. It is crucial for individuals to be vigilant and critical of the information they consume online, as well as for social media platforms to take responsibility and implement measures to combat the spread of lies and misinformation. This is why I am perceived as rouge, or a wild card because I choose to live authentically with out lying to or on others which my family, coworkers, former bosses, and leadership has viewed as an act of rebellion. I remember being told a quote for standing in my truth and will forever stick with me, “The nail that sticks out gets hammered” which is a Japanese saying. Well would ya look at me now in all my glory, shinning like a “Morning star” (weapon). You liked that word play, didn’t you? LOL.
Ancient cultures detested lying. The heart, which contained a record of all the deceased's actions in life, was weighed against the feather of the goddess Ma'at. Universal Law of Ma'at and other mythology remained central to the concept of justice just like here in America. Witnesses also played a central role in Egyptian courts, and lying as a witness was considered a serious offense. Lying can have significant psychological consequences for both the person who is lying, and the person being lied to. When someone lies or is lied on, they may experience feelings of guilt, anxiety, and stress, as well as a fear of being caught. This can damage their mental well-being and lead to a breakdown in trust within relationships. For the person being lied to, being deceived can lead to feelings of betrayal, hurt, and a loss of trust. It can also impact their mental health, causing emotional distress and issues with self-esteem and self-worth.
Does God allow lies sometimes? I remember an ethics lecturer arguing that it could be okay to tell circumstantial lies. Shiphrah and Puah did what was right for disregarding the Pharoah’s orders to kill all the male born Hebrew babies which is what lead to Moses being found and spared. What they did may have been considered wrong in that they disobeyed a direct order so the lie they told the Lord overlooked it because of their greater good (which is why the heart is weighed), let us not miss the larger point: They absolutely did the right thing by saving life even when it meant that they could very well lose their own life. So sometimes telling a lie can be a moral choice. Not all lies are malicious or harmful, as some may be told to spare someone's feelings or avoid conflict. Overall, lying can have detrimental effects on mental health and relationships, leading to feelings of distrust, resentment, and emotional distress. It is important to practice honesty and open communication to maintain healthy connections with others. In closing I leave you with a few quotes that stand out to me; "One lie is enough to question all truths which paved the way for human curiosity." "A lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it!” Or “A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.”
At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate or faith. Careful of what LIES ahead (wink).
With all the lies and deceitful spirits, I am led into prayer (bow ya head and read out loud). Father, help us to listen. Inspire us with YOUR TRUTH, convict us of OUR WRONG DOINGS, encourage us with the discipline and grace that we may move with a pure heart and walk in your benevolent white light, given to us with great strength and courage to live as unsung heroes of the faith. Amen-rah! Now work on ya self and stop WELLIN’!!
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