Manipulate is defined as: handle, control in a skillful manner; control or influence a person or situation cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously.
We recognize manipulative behavior, and we know we don’t like it.
We don’t like it in potential mates, family, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, employers, co-workers, teachers, coaches, clergy, medical professionals, and we especially don’t like it in our government, our politicians, and the press.
But when they tell us what we want to hear … we tend to accept it.
Manipulation is the precursor for all abuse.
My purpose in writing this opinion is to remind: Sometimes in order to retain our own personal integrity we must acknowledge the lack of integrity in those we support, even with our silence.
Dr. C. Hite
San Luis Obispo
This article appears in Spring Arts Annual 2018.