(6th verse – My Back Pages Lyrics by Bob Dylan (1964)
The Micro-Aggression of the Colour of Vehicles
We live in an era of vehicle colours that are primarily grey, and silver. These colours were selected to protect the owners of these vehicle from any chance of being accused of supporting either left or right leaning political stripes. Democrats (lefties) in the US are Blue centric, while Liberals (lefties) in Canada are Red centric), Republicans (rightists) in the US are Red centric or the Conservatives(rightists) are Blue centric.
Up until the last few years, colours of vehicles were a personal choice based on the desired colour that the wife (should say partner) was satisfied that it wouldn’t clash with the house colours. I purchased my vehicles of the last 6 years so I can’t be held fully responsible of all the colour choices.
We have a car in dark blue and a truck in light blue. We also have a really old car in dark red. In Canada I think I’m OK. We live in a rural town which according to the last elections, has 53% of conservative voters. The Dark Blue is a strong statement contender, obviously stating I’m a dyed in the wool Conservative. No second guessing required.
The Light Blue one has raised some eyebrows in town. You could tell by the look on their faces, they were concerned that my level of true conservatism was not that strong. However, being a Heavy Duty ¾ Ton pick-up truck, people quickly gave it the benefit of the doubt. The Old Dark Red was a cause for concern. The age of the car was the redeeming factor. The consensus seems to be with an old red car and accepted position is that the is person must be a ‘Classic’ Liberal (Canada) and is too old to change, Better just leave him alone.
Everything seems to be working out fine until we decided to go to Michigan to visit family in Grand Rapids. Everything was coming together. The excitement of meeting again after the Covid drought was palpable. In this era of intense ‘Cancel Culture’ it is critical that all plausible micro-aggressions are reviewed. We stumbled on the fact that the colours of the left and the right in politics are different in Canada as opposed to the US.
Our comfortable position of colour conformity to Canada’s political colour positions might not be acceptable in the across the border territory, that we were about to venture into. What colour should we going to go into Michigan with?
It appears that entering Michigan through Port Huron, we’ll be entering into a predominantly Republican (rightists) area which would make them Red centric. So, it would make sense to enter the US with the old Red vehicle.
However, looking at the voting records for President in Grand Rapids it appeared that the predominate vote pattern there was Democrats (lefties) which would make them Blue centric. Since we’d be spending a few days in the GR area, I believe it’s important not to trigger any micro-aggressions with the majority of the local population. It would then make sense to drive around in a Blue centric vehicle The only proper solution for this transportation dilemma appears to be going across to Grand Rapids with two Vehicles. One of each to satisfy both the Red and Blue centric attitudes of areas we’ll be driving through.The only question appeared which two of the three vehicles we should be using for this journey. The only two vehicles that could haul each other would be the Old Red Car and the Dark Blue car. The Light Blue truck (while certainly more powerful and capable for the job.) would be just too much of a load for the Old Red Car to handle.
A midnight ‘light-bulb’ revelation provided the solution! We could rent a tow dolly and change the hauling car to correspond to area we were traveling.
The only question appeared which two of the three vehicles we should be using for this journey. The only two vehicles that could haul each other would be the Old Red Car and the Dark Blue car. The Light Blue truck (while certainly more powerful and capable for the job.) would be just too much of a load for the Old Red Car to handle.
There is safety in Dark Colours of choice. When indicators (Blue or Red centric) reflect a dark shade of colour, there is an acceptance of those who see it. That dark shade comes with history, experiences, hard ship and hopefully wisdom and gratitude. When the Blue centric is carrying the Red centric or the Red centric is carrying the Blue centric, the only thing that matters is that one is caring for the other.
If only all the micro-aggressions (real or imagined) could be handled this way. The ability of being able to have genuine discussions with enough discernment to decide what is important or what is being used to achieve power. Decisions based on feelings only, are being used by others to position themselves in roles of protection. This ‘protection’ comes to you in the guise of attempting to prevent you from being mentally harmed by those who may have a different believe than you.
Others may have a believe that may be based on historical facts or prejudices or personal experiences. Without a genuine discussion based on the desire to hear alternative knowledge choices, your ability to grow in wisdom and genuine truth will be severely limited.
Another wonderful version of ‘My Back Pages’ by Georgia Whiting