TONE-DEAFNESS

I Was Just Thinking About - - - 

When reference about a person indicates he or she is tone-deaf, it is used to describe one who is “unable to distinguish differences in pitch in musical sounds when producing or hearing them.” Such an individual is sometimes referred to as a Johnny-One-Note or being a person who possesses the unique gift of being consistently monotone (a single tone without harmony or variance in pitch). Monotone is a noun form but when used as an adjective it references one who is monotonous. Most people would find it difficult to give a person  his or her attention to a musical selection or a speech if it was given in this manner. It would generate discomfort and restlessness being subjected to the monotone presentation over a period of time.

In is interesting to observe the application that is being made regarding those in political office and in public speeches who are being “tone-deaf” when it comes to body action, discourse and the dynamic of words that are used. Those who have spoken about racism in the nation have done so without measuring the impact their words can have upon people. When a person of dubious repute calls for people to demonstrate, especially when he knows he is perpetrating that which is false, underscores the entire problem that has now emerged in cities across this nation. When people holding elected office embrace the person of dubious repute as a consultant on racial tensions and legal ramifications, it has inflamed the mob-mentality to a point where police personal have now become targets for assassination. 

Meanwhile, how are the Police Officers responding to the political-speak and the personal threat that has ensued? In a silent protest, the Police in New York City have turned their backs to the Mayor when he appears and speaks. Furthermore, the New York Post reported and City Officials confirmed: “…for the week starting Dec. 22 — two days after two officers were shot and killed on a Brooklyn street — traffic citations had fallen by 94 percent over the same period last year, summonses for offenses like public drinking and urination were down 94 percent, parking violations were down 92 percent, and drug arrests by the Organized Crime Control Bureau were down 84 percent. The data cover only a week, and the reasons for the plunge are not entirely clear. But it is so steep and sudden as to suggest a dangerous, deplorable escalation of the police confrontation…” with the Mayor and his administration.

Question: Has the President of the United States, the Attorney General of the United States, the Mayor of New York City, the Governor of the State of Missouri been the wisest in their use of words and the embrace of a person of dubious reputation and behavior? The answer should be “No!” There is a Biblical application for the quagmire of the moment. James 3:5-10 (NLT) indicates: “…the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire…It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself…no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison…” James 1:19-20 (NIV) expresses: “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” It is apparent that the Word of God is not having a place in the public discourse or within the unfolding events of our day. Words that serve as an indictment are Proverbs 17:27,“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” Similarly, Proverbs 29:20 concludes, “Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” 

There are those who see the need for reconciliation but it is couched in terms of racial justice and healing. The call for reconciliation will only be validated if and when II Corinthians 5:18-21 (NLT) is enacted: “God has given us the task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself…This is the message he has given us to tell others…Be reconciled to God!” Consider these things with me.