I was reading through my copy of Kerry Thornley’s Zenarchy over lunch since I had nothing else of interest to read. I got to this passage and I just thought that it was great and very apt for today’s society. For all the freedoms and rights we have as Americans will still lack the one thing that could make this whole debacle work—RESPECT for one another. I’m not just talking respect, but also appreciation for the individual qualities that we all bring to the mix. So without further adieu I give you Validation: A Stoned Sermon…

Cultures that validate their elders possess wise old people; cultures that invalidate them have senile old ones.

Cultures that validate sexuality enjoy clean, healthy and beautiful erotic play; societies that invalidate it have dirty, exploitive commercial smut.

Societies that validate women possess strong, serene and intelligent females; societies that invalidate them suffer dumb broads and bitches.

Societies that validate children possess cheerful, wise and responsible youth; societies that invalidate them end up with delinquents and brats.

A culture that validates its ethnic minorities boasts of rich pockets of exotic cultural variety; a society that invalidates them is divided between drab suburbs on one hand and filthy ghettos on the other.

Validation is not automatic agreement with someone you think is wrong. All forms of flattery are deceptive and, hence, invalidating.

Validation is treating someone with a respect that assumes that if they are given enough information, they’ll use it with their minds. Conversely, if someone is acting weird or pissed off or self-destructive, validating attitudes assume there is a reason. Usually such people are oppressed. A validating approach assumes that if everyone will just get off their backs not many will have to help them.

A derivative of Natural Law in our legal system is the assumption of innocence until guilt is proven. When, as individuals, we keep that much in mind while at the same time searching for the reasons for offensive behavior, then our attitude toward others is validation. The opposite view assumes that everyone is a social invalid until they prove they aren’t. That is why so-called law and order attitudes are frequently coupled with racism and sexism. Assumptions about others are important because our expectations often mold their response.

You can find the rest of Zenarchy free online HERE.