For many, our current cultural environment seems to be boiling with unprecedented intolerance and social division – to a point where anything and everything becomes a political statement or position. The state you live in, the religion you practice, the news you read (or watch), the car you drive, the music you listen to, or TV shows you watch – all define your political leanings – whether it's true or not.
So, how did we get here? And who's to blame?
If you know anything about history (and believe any of it) one might consider the sad fact that it's always been like this. While I don't believe most humans are naturally intolerant of others, those that are – are the loudest and dumbest of all of us.
Speaking of TV shows, M*A*S*H, the classic anti-Korean War sitcom ran for 11 years from 1972 to 1983. It was nominated for over 100 Emmy Awards, winning 14. It's charm was in its characters and the actors who portrayed them. The awards were the result of good writing and storytelling. Many episodes were subtle in their references to cultural injustice. Sometimes historically accurate for the times written about (early 1950s). Sometimes directed towards the present times when originally aired (1972-1983). In either case, many of these politically charged, fictional storylines and scenarios continue to resonate with present day cultural conflicts and moral dilemmas.
Season 4, episode 10 is titled "Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler?" The term "Quo Vadis" is Latin for "Where are you going, Lord?" The episode features a wounded bomber pilot named Captain Chandler, who claims he's Jesus Christ. Majors Frank Burns and Margaret Houlihan think he's faking battle fatigue in order to get a discharge, and bring in CIA intelligence officer Colonel Flagg to help expose him. Captains Hawkeye and B.J. Hunnicutt bring in an Army psychiatrist to find out what's really going on in his head.
The subsequent dialogue between these personalities is so outrageous, it can only be fictional caricatures made for entertainment purposes, right? Then why does it sound so familiar? Probably because we've heard similar dialogue on Twitter or your global 24-hour "news" network, or last family gathering.
Here's a taste:
"Something has to be done about this person calling himself Christ," yells Major Frank Burns.
"Why?" Responds Colonel Potter. "Who's this fella hurting?"
"All these bleeding heart liberals are the same. Let a man claim to be an underdog and they [the bleeding heart liberals] will do anything they can for him," says Burns. "He should be court martialed for cowardice! And blasphemy!"
"That's horse hockey!" Potter responds to Burns. "Evidence is one thing…. Innuendo is another!"
As Burns and Houlihan storm out of Colonel Potter's office, Potter utters, "Creeps."
Colonel Flagg, a McCarthy-era CIA officer who is always rooting out Communists and sympathizers, thinks Chandler is faking and says, "We've got to nip this rotten apple in the bud! This sort of action is contagious. If one man decides he's not going to fight, it catches on, and next thing – you know what you got on your hands?"
B.J. Hunnicutt doesn't miss a beat with the answer. "Peace?"
"Colonel Flagg is over here to keep us all safe from Democracy," jabs Hawkeye Pierce.
When Hawkeye recommends that Captain Chandler be examined by a psychiatrist, named Major Sidney Freedman, Colonel Flagg recoils with suspicion. "Is that E-I or I-E?" askes Flagg. A not-so-subtle, and irrelevant inquiry as to whether he's Jewish (Freidman) or German (Friedman).
Hawkeye answers, "Two EEs. As in 'Freedom'. That's what got you confused."
Throughout the episode, Flagg and Burns display the stereotypical lack of logical, critical thinking that most intolerant people use to simplify and conveniently conclude what they already believe to be true or not true.
“I know he’s not Jesus,” declares Burns. “Because he didn’t answer my prayer!”
Hawkeye responds. “Just because you didn’t get chocolate pudding at dinner, doesn’t mean he didn’t answer your prayer, Frank.”
In the end, as Freedman determines that Chandler is suffering from mental trauma – he momentarily allows the possibility that this man (Chandler) could be Jesus Christ, and decides to ask, "Is it true that God answers all prayers?"
"Yes," he replies. "Sometimes the answer is No."
For me, this show and episodes like this are a somber reminder that we haven't come very far in the 70 years since the Korean War and Joseph McCarthy, or the 40 years since the sitcom M*A*S*H made us all laugh at dummies like Major Frank Burns and Colonel Flagg.
You can find this episode of M*A*S*H on Hulu here: https://www.hulu.com/watch/958eff14-68a3-4cf2-a3b2-0169837c6981