From the early colonization of the “savages” to the separate but (not-so) equal laws enacted by the “superior race,” our history was run on perception. Through our experiences, our perceptions are shaped (“shaped” being the key word), because the way we experience things determines the way we will perceive them. My experience with law officials is probably going to be different from someone that grew up around a family of law officials, so therefore my perception of them will ultimately be different. But what is truly our reality?

Perception is so powerful, and more often than not, we don’t realize this. Perception is the key factor in determining how we view our reality. It wins. But more importantly, has reality ever won? Have we ever looked at the big picture? Considered both sides? Taking a step out of ‘Trump’s World’, what is our current reality? How could one person perfectly describe our reality?

I found a brilliant example of this on a website by LibraryQuest. This image is shown and students are asked to observe it from the perception of the slaveholder, the slave, the woman, etc.

The conclusion that can be drawn from this exercise is that obviously their perceptions are going to be different. Hence, they’re going to have different realities. Which is the point I’m trying to make.

What makes America so diverse is it’s ability to constantly bring in new perspectives, creating this democracy. Through these different perspectives, reality can be more accurately depicted. Notice in the picture, it’s not just one perspective you’re seeing, but rather it’s multiple. It’s important to have these different perspectives because it allows us to learn about new experiences that we’ve never had to go through. Seeing the other side, in other words. Because it better provides us with understanding towards our overall reality.

When discussing today’s societal issues, it’s important to keep perception in mind. It’s important to not let only your personal experiences control and consume your voice, but rather it’s important to allow others to shape your reality as well.