Person as Text: A case study for a broader perspective (Response #8)

     I wonder what makes us like a person. Why do we loathe someone? Why do we adore someone? Think of any polarizing figure. For me, Abraham Lincoln comes to mind (since this weekend I went to the Lincoln Museum and tomb in Springfield, IL with some amazing company). He was, at one point, the most abhorred man in the nation while at the same time probably the most beloved. Ideals, is it not ideals and the way that they are implemented that shape our opinion of a man? Even today, 150 years later, people all over the world adore this man. His thoughts and the way he conveyed and acted upon them brought an onslaught of personal opinion, criticism, and endearment. What really stuck out to me at the museum this weekend though, (after getting a better understanding of the era) was that barely anyone actually knew this guy. Like one plaque said at the museum, more people in the United States probably saw that Abraham Lincoln when dead on his train funeral procession throughout the country than when he was alive during his whole life. This mad me stop… and think. How can anyone assume they know someone if they have never met them? Couldn’t one’s view be quite tainted by hearsay, and thus you have a misinformed view of a person?

So, here is the context to this crazy and (seemingly) random anecdote of mine: honors. Yes, shocking, I know. More specifically however, Wendell Berry and the two videos we watched last Thursday in class. For those of you who unfortunately (that really is not sarcasm) were not in class and thus unable to see them, these videos outlined Berry’s life from the outside and then from the inside with a long interview with him. Before class started, much… let’s say… contempt was held in view of Berry (think of us as people thinking we “know” Lincoln). After the class session, I would dare say most of our views of Berry had changed if not completely than definitely slightly. Why is this? Well, I believe this has to do with ACTUALLY knowing someone versus knowing his or her ideals. Think about this, the famous people you are drawn to are often extensions of ideals that you have or they have shaped your thoughts. On the other hand, we can have good friends who believe in many things in direct opposition to us. I believe this is because we finally get to know someone and realize they are a person and people are amazing. We, in general, are drawn towards all people, not all philosophies. This is the crazy phenomenon that happened Thursday in class. We caught a glimpse of the person Wendell.

Ok, so we got the cute little anecdote and we got the context. What the HECK is the point of this post, and how in the WORLD could this relate to honors this fall? Thank you so much for asking. I was really hoping you would. Don’t you see? This is what Wendell Berry has been trying to instill in his audience this entire time!!! (if you couldn’t tell, this has all kind of clicked in my mind) Wendell tries to open our eyes to knowledge - true, living knowledge of the people you love and care for and of the local earth that you live in. Take “Berry as text.” We hated the guy. Could we maybe acknowledge the things he said as somewhat valuable? Sure. But we were not about to credit him as a person and like the dang guy! Now, after a human connection, we might actually approve of him. Well, I guess I should only speak for myself and not for the class. I would thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to talk to Wendell one day now (as unlikely as that is). This is what he is striving to tell people through all of his writing! Intimate knowledge leads to care and a deep cherishment of whatever you have. “Learn all you can about where you are” (video in class) for that is how value and depth of love is nurtured.