REFLECTIONS : Post Election Thoughts
It was puzzling to see a picture of a split bamboo with a man struggling out of it . Asking for an interpretation , the girl of six in the Philippines , was told that it represented a hapless politician with no roots trying to free himself from that claim . Pretty profound for a child to understand , yet 90 years later , in another country , the U . S ., across the globe , similar disparaging advertisements still exist .
Allegories in politics , it seems , can be disconcerting yet universal . True or false , the aim is to portray the other side with all its faults and failings , for one ’ s own gain .
Is it best to stay out of it as admonished ? We know and have witnessed the best of friends , nay , members of a family , torn by discussions defending opposite views . These can lead to a truce of
by TERESITA BACANI-OROPILLA , MD peace or a lifetime of resentment . In the process , deeply held feelings of injustice , favoritism and anger , unrelated to the obvious politics being discussed , rear their ugly heads .
Is it best to let these differences rest peacefully where they were , or is it the time to bring them out to be threshed of chaff ?
That ’ s what elections are supposed to do ! What say you ?!!
Dr . Bacani-Oropilla is a retired pediatrician and psychiatrist .
22 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE