Stop hiding behind the excuse of ‘it’s complicated’

Saying something is complicated is just a way to let ourselves off the hook

Often when I ask someone a difficult question, the answer I get is, ‘It’s complicated.’ What does that mean?

Outside the realm of academic inquiry, some of life’s most important truths are quite simple. Each of us has unique talents to develop, and the effort to use our gifts for the betterment of humanity brings us happiness. The more privilege we are given, the fewer obstacles we face in this endeavour, and thus the greater our responsibility.

There are also certain principles to follow. Every person is equal, and everyone is deserving of respect. Every child has unbelievable potential, and it is the responsibility of all adults to nurture these young humans, no matter where they live in the world.

I’ve been here for 64 years, and I’ve had the good fortune to interact with more people than I can count on four different continents. I have found these principles to be true, and pursuing them without compromise has allowed me to live an extremely happy life.

When I confront people about why there are wars, why we fail to protect children caught in conflict and poverty around the world, why we don’t make true reparations with the Indigenous peoples of Canada, or why we don’t prioritize the environment above short-term financial gain, I am told, “It’s complicated. You need to understand that things are more complex than you think.”

I’ve reflected on this answer, and I’ve realized that it is partly true. Circumstances can be complicated. Human beings face competing interests, conflicting loyalties and difficult choices.

What troubles me is how often complexity becomes the end of the conversation rather than the beginning of it. The priorities I’ve outlined above are too often pushed aside, and that should concern all of us.

There is no shortage of arguments used to justify sacrificing the well-being of a child for financial gain. There is no shortage of arguments used to justify the death of a child in the pursuit of more territory. The fact that a justification exists does not make it morally sound. Sometimes “it’s complicated” means exactly that. Other times, it means we are uncomfortable confronting what we know to be wrong.

Another uncomfortable aspect of being human is the inevitability of making mistakes. It is healthy to admit when we are wrong. For a good person, it is often difficult to face the consequences of our errors, but in trying to do so we can hopefully find peace.

When I was younger, I was often intimidated by people who told me that I was idealistic and did not understand the way the world works. I’ve been around the block a few times, and I remember when much of the “history” we study was “current events.” During the Oka Crisis of 1990, a dispute over land claimed by the Mohawk community of Kanesatake escalated into a 78-day standoff involving police, protesters and the Canadian military. I knew that it was wrong for the town of Oka, Quebec, to take Mohawk land to build a golf course. The Canadian military was called upon to lay siege to two Mohawk villages so that land developers could have their way. I volunteered to sit by the side of a country road and observe troop movements. It wasn’t complicated for me. It was simply the right thing to do, and the golf course was never built.

Life can be complicated. What is often less complicated is deciding what kind of person we want to be. Use the gifts you have been given to try to make the world better for everyone and everything, and accept responsibility when you mess up.

That is the key to happiness.

Gerry Chidiac specializes in languages and genocide studies and works with at-risk students. He received an award from the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre for excellence in teaching about the Holocaust.