Cooking In Context - The Spice Of Life

“Context is the parts of a conversation, look or gesture that is often overlooked or misread ,but  when clarified and can throw light on its meaning, which can change what was originally perceived.”   

This came to light recently when I was writing an email to my hard working, community conscious editor, which stated “Asia Lee’s July 2 fireworks pictures in the Patch at Eisenhower are outstanding in her field. I hope to see more of her explosive shots in the future” which he must  thought was a pun and/or play on words within the compliment. And this is where the issue of “context” came into play for me as I noticed the mistake .

Another example would be where this young man went to watch those fore mentioned  July 2 fireworks with a  female friend at EM Little League Field. He was meeting a group of his past EMHS classmates and friends that had recently returned home from colleges all across the US. Field No. 2 had the best view of Eisenhower Park, but the field was packed with tons of families with chairs and blankets.

Just as he parked, he got a text at 9 p.m. to meet them by a group of green bag chairs by second base on Field #2. This young man had his date leave her pocketbook in his car, for safety’s sake, but she gave this young man her cell phone to put in his pocket in case someone important called.  

He and his date squeezed through the crowd, weaving and bobbing like Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden. And they rope-a-doped (a boxing term) and inched slowly closer to their intended destination, making their way from the first base dugouts to the center of the infield.

Suddenly, and without warning, (which is what suddenly means) his lovely young companion’s cellphone starts to ring. It was some sort of crazy "Jason Derulo-Don't Wanna Go Home" ringtone. This young man reaches into his pocket and digs out her phone and she motions for him to answer it over the ambient rumbling noise of the crowd gathered on the field. This young man cannot make out who the caller is over the street sounds and parental screeches, even though it should be easy to identify his fair escort’s father’s voice.

Thinking that it was their friends on the other end of the call, this young man makes out that the person is asking the question repeatedly, “Where are you” to which this young man responds, “Trying to get to second base, now leave me alone” and hangs up.

Well suffice it to say, that  this young mans date’s Daddy did NOT appreciate that particular comment, and  this young man is NO LONGER seeing that particular young lady. But as you now can clearly see, there was a misunderstanding, as the comment was totally innocent until it was taken out of “context” and overreacted to. A big mistake.

Now when it comes to “context,” it can be further illuminated by what happened to the “Not So Famous” of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? The facts are that five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured brutally before they died. Twelve others had their homes ransacked and burned. Their wives or daughters raped and tortured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds of serving in the Revolutionary War. Seven served in Congress without pay and eventually died paupers without property or a penny.

Few names other than Hancock, Jefferson, Adams, Paine or Franklin are truly remembered. The approved History curriculum for New York schools skims over the further contributions to our freedoms, rights and the sacrifices of great New Yorkers like Morris, Lewis, Floyd and Livingston. Because in the “context”  of the big picture, their participation was deemed not as important enough to dwell on.

Another big mistake.

But the biggest example of “context” is the issue of the Nassau County Hub Project and the thought that voting against it means you hate the Islanders Hockey Team and wish them to move away. Nothing could be further from the truth, but people should not have to sacrifice a limb to prove otherwise.

This is like ordering Sweet Tea at Dunkin Donuts. They give you Unsweetened Iced Tea with lots of ice and tell you that the sugar is in packets at the other side of the room, which in a certain  “context” might seem fair. However, have you ever tried to dissolve granulated sugar in cold  flippin’ water with ice? What a useless task! You would sooner separate Hops and Yeast in a glass of Stout.

So the truth is if you had all the information that the politicians are withholding, then you would be better prepared to not misinterpret things and get yourself in a big fat quagmire-like sinkhole.