Coffeehouse Perspective

I'm sitting in an excellent café in Latham, outside of Albany (it's called Professor Java's Coffee Sanctuary... it seemed an appropriate choice for me on so many levels).

In the corner. Contemplating work. Enjoying the house dark blend. And eavesdropping like crazy. I have yet to hear a conversation in the hour I've been here that hasn't referenced sports. Totally not surprised - by now it has to have replaced weather as #1 small talk/convo-starter.

One conversation struck me in particular. A woman, discussing how she actually bet on the super bowl as someone who had never bet on anything before. She went on to say that she lost almost all of her bets, and then said, quite emphatically "And I bet on the team with the rapist quarterback! Me, after working my whole life for women's rights!"

Perspective can be a fickle friend. I felt bad for her having unknowingly compromised her principles. This new information changed her perspective and made her feel like a fool. Who amongst us hasn't had that happen? Who amongst enjoyed the experience?

I saw a reflection of me in this moment. Of my rationalization of the same quarterback's behavior. "He was never officially charged." "People say things all the time about famous people - it's probably not true." "He's being unfairly targeted." I, and many people like me who wanted the Steelers to win, have said these things. Often.

Perspective can be a fickle friend. Do I honestly believe he's totally innocent? Not when he needed bodyguards to block the door to the restroom where the "consensual act" occurred. Not when it hadn't been the first such accusation. But my NEED to have the Steelers win was all the permission I needed to go all Machiavelli and excuse it away. What's worse, I still haven't forgiven Michael Vick for his dogfighting. I still believe Ray Lewis actually helped murder someone several years ago, even though he pled guilty to a lesser charge and served his sentence. I gave a second chance to a man who helps my team, and I haven't forgiven the transgressions of my "enemies"

Forget sports for a second. I feel like this is about judgment and grace. I realize that I have allowed my sporting affiliation to permit me to pass judgment on who is worthy of grace and who is not. In any other context, I would tell you that grace is a miracle in that all people are worthy of receiving it. In this context, I have been the judge and jury, and your team's colors determined your worthiness. For this, I am ashamed and humbled. For this, I would beg for forgiveness. I believe I will receive this grace from the Deity I worship. Sadly, I do not believe that I'd get it from someone wearing the other team's colors.

Lesson learned: Grace is not reserved for the worthy or unworthy - it's given freely to all - just not by me as often as I'd like