A common phrase used to convey the general idea that an individual can do as they please is “to each their own”. I admit that at one point in my life this was one of my favorite phrases in life. It fed my perceived sense of rugged individualism and libertarian ideals. It also provides a passive aggressive way to divert a conversation.
One such conversation occurred recently between my wife and someone else, let’s call him Steve. Steve plans to bring his entire family across the country to visit folks in our area for nine days. Upon hearing of his plans my wife reached out to let him know that we are taking the pandemic seriously, especially given its surge in our area, and any visits are short, masked, and outside. This was his response: “Yeah not sure what to say, but you have to do what you have to do. To each there own.”
It got me thinking about this phrase. I realized in my life’s journey the last two years I have subconsciously stopped using it. This is because as I study the life and teachings of Jesus I don’t see “to each their own”, I see “to each the other”. The entirety of his existence was to point us to the value of the other, even at the expense of ones self. In doing this we elevate the individual other above ourselves. When we do this, all are even more valued than living by “to each their own”.
“To each their own” is why 340,000+ (and climbing) people are dead. “To each their own” is why violence pervades the human condition. “To each their own” is why white Christians could justify owning black bodies. “To each their own” is why poor is even part of our vocabulary.
I propose that we reject “to each their own”.
To each the other.
Peace,
Justin
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