We always forget there is a bigger picture, don't we?

That's probably our biggest problem as human beings. There is just too much to take in and never enough time to make sense of it all. So we become pretty crappy detectives. We sniff out some clues and piece 'em all together with some duct tape and staples. But hopefully we're always learning because not everything is as it seems.

Somebody looks cute on Tinder but that first date reveals some unfortunate breath. A movie trailer gives you chills, but fifteen minutes in you're falling asleep in your popcorn. Cops start hugging protestors and dancing together in the streets. 24 hours later they're cracking skulls on the pavement.

We can't see it all, but we need to keep our eyes open.

Back before peaceful, hard-working Americans went to war with bulletproof pigs, Amy Cooper gave the cops a jingle. Remember her? She was the white lady that wanted to report a black man in Central Park with the audacity to ask her to leash her furry best friend. Christian Cooper, the black man in question, decided to capture the situation on his phone. I don't know much more of the context than anyone else but the video shows plenty. It was broad daylight. Christian was soft-spoken while he captured the situation. No one was touched or even attacked, except maybe the dog as Amy struggled to keep it leashed.

In her apology, Amy Cooper tried to explain the whole thing away. She told CNN: "I'm not a racist. I did not mean to harm that man in any way." Maybe if she took an extra second, though, she would recall how they paved the road to hell.

Christian Cooper did accept her apology after all, but he told CNN, "I'm not sure that in that apology she recognizes that while she may not be or consider herself a racist, that particular act was definitely racist."

And there is the difference. You can perceive yourself one way while the world sees something else.

I can almost understand Amy Cooper. I get it, you spend all day with you, don't you? You choose what to eat and what to binge on Netflix. You forget the bigger picture and you start to convince yourself that you are the personal god of this small world. You couldn't be a racist. You would know if you were a racist, wouldn't you!? You know you try your best, how can someone tell you any different?

Okay, I feel like I'm diving into some seriously deep philosophical waters and I don't know how to swim all that well.

What I can wrap my head around is whatever Stone Cold says. When a fan recently felt the need to justify the Confederate flag on one of Stone Cold's Instagram posts, the beer-chuggin' professional wrestler opened up a fresh one. He responded: "That’s nice and all but if I recall it don’t matter what it means to you because to African Americans everywhere it’s a symbol of oppression, hatred and inequality so your little ‘heritage not hate’ story don’t mean shit because your stupid little heritage was built on the backs of slaves and identifying with that kinda sorta definitely makes you trash in the Texas Rattlesnake’s eyes. So you can continue to spew your bullshit but just know that none of us care ya dumb racist sumbitch and that’s the bottom line."

I can't believe I'm typing this sentence, but what Stone Cold understood and Amy Cooper didn't is that it's not always about you. Marching for racial equality is not about you. Wearing a mask in a global pandemic is not about you. Voting is not about you. It hurts to realize. We are all in this together, but sometimes you could be selfish. It means sometimes you're wrong. And you don't want to accept that the world can see your actions as any different than what you thought they were.

Some people don't even consider this possibility for decades. They have a real tough time swallowing it when the rest of the world is pissed off at the way things are.

But you can always take a step back. People can always change and that's what gives me hope.

And if you really don't know where to start, the beginning is usually a good option. As Austin Kleon wondered on his blog, "What is it about fixing small things when the big things are broken? What is it about solving tiny problems when faced with problems that seem unsolvable?"

You can always do something. It might seem silly and small but you can read a book or watch a movie. Educate yourself in a way you might never have. It's the only way to see the bigger picture, to look outside your view.

If you need me, I'll be doing the same and cracking two Budweisers in solidarity.

With that being said, let's review some wild shit I found this past week:

Movies worth adding to your Watch List for very different reasons: Sorry to Bother You and Jawbreaker

Need some wholesome fun? Biking, Skateboarding & More | People Are Awesome Vs. FailArmy (video)

If you enjoyed the first, Julie Nolke is explaining the pandemic to herself again.

Another example reason to eat more ice cream - Ben and Jerry's statement in response to Black Lives Matter and the death of George Floyd

Need more reasons to question the good of social media? Sure you do:

Until next time...