Our Reactions Reveal Bias – and lack of Empathy

Case #1 – Barry Bonds & Shawn Merriman:
Both athletes were suspected of steroid use – Bonds is ostracized, Merriman is elected to the Pro Bowl.

Case #2 – Tiger Woods & Kobe Bryant:
Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, Kobe Bryant cheats and is accused of rape. Tiger is vilified, while Kobe’s transgressions are ignored.

Malcolm Gladwell on the Tiger/Kobe public reaction:
“And now we have Tiger Woods, who fooled around on his wife and hit a fire hydrant. And in the middle of this absurd circus, the reigning King of Kings of the NBA and role model to millions is a man who not that long ago was accused of rape and lucked out of a trial because, by all appearances, he was able to buy off his accuser in a civil settlement. Huh?”

Case #3 – Michael Vick and Leonard Little:
Vick organized dog fights and went to prison for two years. Little drove drunk and killed someone. He served 60-days and has resumed his NFL career. Also, he was arrested for drunk driving later.

Case #4 – John Edwards and Lance Armstrong:
John Edwards cheats on his sick and dying wife. He is labeled pure evil. Lance Armstrong leaves his wife (who stayed with him through his sickness) for a newer, hotter version. He is an American hero.

Case #5 – Abortion and Torture:
Most upsetting revelation for me as a Christian.
Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.

I’m not saying using ‘roids, cheating on your wife, organizing dog fights, and abortion are happy, fun things that we should all try. But it’s clear both our personal experiences and bias play a large part in how we view the world. What we’re missing most is our world is empathy – not morals, not family values, not prayer in our schools… empathy.