Darkness Gets A Bad Rap!
Darkness Gets A Bad Rap!
This is inspired by common themes and phrases in life, such as “go to the light”, “In light and love”, “let your light shine” Why are bad characters in Movies and literature almost always depicted having dark hair, black clothes? And the good characters with light hair, white horse, white clothes?
Why do so many story lines follow stereotypes of bad/evil equaling dark/black and good equaling light/white? I honestly think darkness has been given a bad rap and it’s humankind that has done this. Black is a combination of all colors. In My humble opinion a very good thing!
What would you think if I said to you; “In darkness and love” or “go to the darkness” “let your darkness shine” (can darkness shine?) You would probably think I’m crazy, bad or in some way up to something negative and no good.
What is Light? What is Dark? I think it’s time for a look in the dictionary! I found in the dictionary what I expected, the typical definitions of the words, but again, these words are of humankind and even in the dictionary you find these stereotypes and prejudices. When and where did these stereotypes come from? Is it important? Maybe not to You, but it is to Me. I try to think outside of the box.
Aren’t Darkness and Light synonymous? Can You have one without the other? I’m sure this has something to do with the fact that light is associated with day time and darkness is associated with night time. I understand in most instances the terms are not used in a literal sense. Humankind had to come up with something to cause separation, and help differentiate what are perceptions about what we believe to be good or bad.
From the time I was quite young, I’ve been reading the works of Khalil Gibran. One of My favorite works is “O Night” I’ve decided to include some of it below, so You understand where My thinking about darkness comes from. I understand that dark, night and black are not the same words, but through time and the doings of humankind, they are associated and lumped into one big ball of negativity.
Maybe after reading this You will gain some appreciation for that which is considered to be dark, and if I say to you in darkness and love, realize that means I see darkness for what it really is, it is not bad, evil, it’s just lacking light but is still important and even beautifull . In times before electricity day/ light was very important, but so was night/dark. Now dark and night seem of only importance to bad, evil characters in movies, to people who are thought to not be of right mind, to negative spiritual practices and this seems to be a universal type of thought. You would never say to someone on their death bed..go to the darkness…would you? Well why not? It is in dark we rest, slumber and are usually the most at peace. What if you were to say to someone “go to the light” who’s only understanding of light was a light bulb or candle? I’m sure they would question this.
I’m sure most of you realize there are noctournal creatures, so it’s while we humans are sleeping they are out and about, hunting and doing what they are supposed to, which is very important to our ecosystem, life doesn’t cease to exist just because it is dark out, or night time. But this again brings up more negativity about things like night creatures. Vampires, Werewolves, yes fictional characters but ones associated with “dark”.
I’m also pretty sure this negative stereotype has to do with religion too. Jesus: Light of The World, Satan: The Prince of Darkness. Heaven…up in the pretty blue sky and fluffy clouds (which by the way turns dark at night) Hell…under the ground in darkness and fire, but if You believe God is the creator of everything didn’t God then create night/dark? So what is there to hate about it or be fearful of about it? Do You think someone who is “evil” can let their light shine? Think about seemingly “normal” “Good” “Happy” people that end up doing very bad things, they are by other people’s accounts those positive descriptors till they are seen on the ten o’clock news having shot up a bunch of people, then they become dark and evil. I’m using the word evil here as a way of getting point across.
I’m not sure there even is such a thing as evil. Thank You Khalil, though You are no longer here, for encouraging Me to think outside of the box and helping Me realize I am like the night just as much as I’m like the day. I am like night even though twilight does not crown me with it’s golden clouds, and morn does not adorn the hem of my garment with rosy rays.
Just part of my favorite "O Night" by Khalil Gibran
"
You touch my thoughts with your gentle fingers, and my contemplation flows like a strong stream.
With your burning lips you print a kiss upon the lips of my soul and set it aflame like a torch.
I have accompanied you, O night, and followed you until we became akin.
I loved you until my being became a diminutive image of your being.
In my dark self are glittering stars strewn by my emotions. And in my heart shines a moon lighting the processions of my dreams. In my sleepless soul a silence reveals the lover's secrets and echos the worshiper's prayers. And my face wears a magic mask. Torn by the agony of death, it is mended by the songs of youth. We are both alike in every way, Night.
Will man consider me boastful if I liken myself unto you? Does not man boast of his resemblance to the day? I am like you, Night, and we are both accused of being what we are not.
I am like you even though twilight does not crown me with its golden clouds. I am like you although morn does not adorn the hem of my garment with its rosy rays. I am like you though I am not encircled by the milky way.
I am night boundless and calm; there is no beginning to my obscurity and no end to my depth.
When the souls rise in the light of their joy, my soul ascends glorified by the dark of grief. I am like you, Night! And when my morn comes, then my time will end.
