Wednesday with Avrom – Going too far….

“Never give in - never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.” Winston Churchill.?

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., commonly known as the Kennedy Center, opened in 1971 and its success is evidenced by its 50th anniversary celebration. This milestone reminded Avrom of an eye-opening incident.?

Avrom had attended an exceptionally moving symphony performance at the Kennedy Center and wanted to share his excitement. He mentioned it to a senior policy advisor with a doctorate in Economics with whom he worked at the Department of Commerce. He expressed his appreciation of the Kennedy Center as a place to enjoy excellent entertainment. The gentleman adamantly replied, “As a matter of principle, I will never set foot in that place!” Avrom later found out that this individual was an extremely conservative Republican who regarded the Kennedy administration’s policies as un-American. Therefore, he was determined to boycott any symbol of the Kennedy image. Somewhat sarcastically, Avrom inquired of the man, “Would you attend an event at the Eisenhower Theater (located in the Kennedy Center)?” “Absolutely not,” was his co-workers definitive and inexplicable response.

After considering the matter, Avrom concluded that the official’s inflexible attitude was seriously misguided. He surmised that although at times it makes sense to show your rejection of an idea or a concept, but when the connection is remote, the principle can appear absurd.?

Avrom told of a story involving his mother that illustrated the point that becoming so obsessed by rigid advocacy of a strongly held principle can collide with other relevant interests. This incident occurred at a glassware shop in Jerusalem. The owner, an elderly woman, showed Avrom’s mother some attractive crystal items that were imported from Germany. Avrom’s parents had lost many relatives during the Holocaust and as a protest to the horrible atrocities of the German nation, avoided all German made products. The store owner, when told of this principle, explained that she herself was a Holocaust survivor and that she earned a bare living by selling these German made products.?

Avrom’s mother appreciated the dilemma she faced. Wanting to support the store owners, she solved her conflict by buying some non-German items in the store. This solution avoided causing financial loss to the owner while enabling Avrom’s mother to adhere to her boycott policy.?

The lesson is that rigid adherence to a policy can sometimes cause harmful consequences if one loses sight of the rational basis for a policy. Or as Churchill would say, “good sense.”?

For instance, you could reflect your opposition to something the Spanish government did by refusing to buy Spanish wine. The action has the potential to hurt the Spanish economy and change behavior if enough people refused to buy Spanish wine. However, if you demonstrate opposition by refusing to eat a Spanish omelet, it will accomplish nothing, and just be plain silly.?

It is certainly easier to have no conviction. As Groucho Marx quipped, “Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.” Rather, embrace your convictions, just make sure you have the good sense not to go too far.?

This is part 42 in the Wednesday with Avrom series, please check out more?here.