In a recent class we discussed the concepts of passing and covering. The ideas were brought to light through a professor at a law university, although they did not completely originate there. The main ideas of these are based around the ideas of concealing all or part of something about yourself. The reason that Yoshino brought this topic to light was because of his sexual orientation. As it is now the act of being openly homosexual is looked down upon and Yoshino wanted to address this.

Yoshino explained that in the field of hiding things about one’s self there exists two levels: passing and covering. The act of passing is all about totally suppressing the certain trait. One example would be that of being “in the closet.” This is where the person has not revealed their sexual orientation to the world so as to conform to the preset standards. The other of the concepts is about covering. The idea of covering is based around not complete concealment but on the idea of down-playing the trait in question. The example that Yoshino gives is that of Roosevelt and the fact that he was in a wheelchair. Now it is quite obvious that it would be impossible for him to hide such a fact, but he did try to cover it.

Roosevelt used the use of covering in order to help people see the real him and not the traits that comprised him. Roosevelt felt that by being openly expressive of the fact that he was in a wheelchair people would find that he was simply a wheelchair carrying an important man, not Roosevelt in a wheelchair. Because of this he decided to cover the fact of his trait. He installed a wooden panel in the Resolute Desk in order to conceal his condition. Was he telling people he was not in a wheelchair no, he was simply removing the fact from the equation.

The use of both of these is very much a part of our everyday lives. Even now you and I are currently participating in some form of passing or covering. We do this in order to avoid the conflict that would arise by the mainstream if we did not. Everyone is a part of this imprisonment so one might wonder why we do not break free from the shackles of the nonexistent mainstream. It is because people would be afraid to join the total upraising for fear of a ghost. Everyone blames the white protestant for the fashions it must conform to, but this group is also conforming. So again why do we not all break away? It’s because of the idea that holds us in place that if we broke away the “everyone else” would judge us wrong.

I have spoken about the different types hiding, passing and covering, but one might wonder what more real life examples there are that fit with them. One example is that of politics. Politics are a sensitive issue all around the world. It is the cause of love and hate, peace and war. The fact that we decide to cover or even pass our political positions is a very easily understood concept. People, which I have experienced firsthand, can go from being your best friend to completely hating every fiber in your being by simply knowing your political views. Because of this does the fact that I avoid politics make me a liar? Or does it make me someone who doesn’t want to be known by his beliefs but by his nature.

Another major concept that is often covered or even passed is that of religion. As like politics, religion has been a major focal point for love, hate, peace and war. People can become extremely hostile when conflicting views such as religion are brought into the picture. So the idea of wishing to cover or pass ones beliefs in order to avoid a conflict can be easily understood.

While many people might say that the use of passing and covering is immoral and deceitful, I believe that it can be a vital in order to simply get through the day without being ripped apart by the vicious beast that humans can be. Do I believe we should all lie: no, do I believe we should not tell the truth: yes.