Adornment Quote by Sydney J. Harris
“The public examination of homosexuality in our contemporary life is still so coated with distasteful moral connotations that even a reviewer is bound to wonder uneasily why he was selected to evaluate a book on the subject, and to assert defensively at the outset that he is happily married, the father of four children and the one-time adornment of his college boxing, track and tennis teams.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Public Examination of Homosexuality” by Sydney J. Harris, 1970
Reviewers often feel compelled to assert conventional credentials when evaluating controversial topics, revealing societal bias.
In simple terms: Reviewers hide bias by emphasizing normalcy.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and address bias openly.
Themes
bias
social norms
credibility
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
essays
commentary
When to use this quote
- book reviews
- academic panels
- public debates
Key Concepts
media ethics
identity politics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why feel the need to prove normalcy?
- How does bias affect judgment?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on personal life can distract from content.
![“But the best argument of all [for evangelism] is to be found in the wounds of Jesus. You want to honor Him, you desire to put many crowns upon His head, and this you can best do by winning souls for Him. These are the spoils that He covets, these are the trophies for which He fights, these are the…” quote by Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cc4/charles-spurgeon-82_adornment_but-the-best-argument-of-all-for-evangel_750051.jpg)
