"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

I'm not a very religious person, but I do think this quote rings true. And I am sure there are varying versions of this quote, but the meaning remains the same. We are often too quick to judge people for what they do instead of who they are.

I went to a 21st this last weekend where many of my high school class mates were in attendance. I hadn't seen some of them in months and it felt good to be reminded of how much fun I had in Matric. At times it was difficult to hear what everyone had been up to because the music was so loud and partying with my Rhodes mates can also be a little distracting. However, some didn't hesitate to fill me in on the activities of others especially one of our old school friends.

Often we are all too quick to say, "that's so high school" and to think that we actually grew up after we left. But, we easily forget how much stays with us after we've celebrated the end of our last exam. And one thing we'll never stop doing is the discussions we have about our former class mates once they've left. Granted, some of them you were never friends with; but after this last weekend, I saw how easy it was to disregard an old friendship for the excitement of a few minutes of gossip.

It would be unfair of me to say I was not phased by this little piece of information. All gossip is intoxicating and it's hard to deny otherwise. However, when it becomes venomous we need to stop and take a look at who we are. No one is without their faults or flaws, so when does it become our place to judge another person's actions? And more importantly who are we to tell them that it is wrong?

A poster used by the US Government during WWII.

We are told at a very young age we are all different, unique or special. We are also told to be tolerant and accepting. Therefore, because someone else possesses a unique view on the world or behaves in a different way, we forget to be accepting and tolerant of this variation in nature.

Please don't read this as if I am sitting atop my moral high horse. Of course, I engaged in this act of gossiping and it's hard to stop oneself from taking part. However, every now and then it's important to be reminded that we all have a conscience and lowering the standing of another person is in no way helpful or your place to do so.

Finally, a quote from one of my favourite people, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu:
"If I diminish you, I diminish myself."