Don't Be Fooled

One of the hottest trending topics in the news this week is the “fake” sign language interpreter who functioned during the memorial service of Nelson Mandela. Many people are upset, that this imposter was able to finagle his way into such a high profile event, making a mockery of the deaf and legitimate interpreters of South Africa and the world. Others wondered how he made it through security clearance, to be so close to world leaders. Members of various South African and world committees for the deaf and sign language interpreters are up in arms about the matter; feeling disrespected and insulted by this man and the mockery he has made of the country and those who are hearing impaired. Most importantly, his lack of skills prevented those who were watching the service, from fully appreciating what was being said by the various presenters.

My message to you this morning is – “Don’t Be Fooled.”

Way too often, we allow people to come into our lives and fill our heads with information, without any background check. “No,” you say. “I’ve never done that.” Really? When was the last time you received a forwarded email and sent it on to 10 individuals, before checking the facts yourself? Or maybe you saw something on Facebook and shared it on our page without first checking references. (The other hot topic this week was a picture of President Obama taking a selfie with Danish and British premiers, and Mrs. Obama in the background looking “unamused.”) Without any context, definition or explanation, pictures and stories are circulated by intelligent people in an unintelligent way.

But this isn’t about social media exchanges. This is about life. This is about the abused woman, who keeps allowing the abuser back in the house because he said he won’t do it again. It’s about the man who puts his children to bed each night, then waits for his drunk wife to come home and do the same to her, as she tells him “this is the last time.” Or the friendship that isn’t made of friends, as one continually belittles the other. We have to stop allowing ourselves to be fooled, when the information we have clearly points in the other direction.

The interpreter made it to the stage, because someone was too lazy to check his credentials. Make sure you don’t treat your life the same way.