Whenever I see articles with titles like these, I get pretty upset. Before the piece has even begun, the author’s language has communicated that they (1) lack the basic decency required to have productive discussions, and (2) are probably too biased to understand the other side, if they’re even able to.
Essentially, these articles serve mainly to ignite the passions behind the like-minded people who routinely read them. When our nation is the most polarized it has been in 20 years, what we need are avenues for discussion and debate that promote understanding rather than hoisting up a winning individual or ideology.
Do you know one of the best ways to make someone close off their willingness to consider competing ideas? Insult them or someone they support. And not only is it a bad strategy for discussion, it’s just rude. I am liberal-leaning, yes, but the only reason I would ever flat-out dismiss someone is not if their ideology differs, but if they’re being a jerk and not even attempting to understand a different point of view. I simply don’t want to surround myself with people like that.
I don’t exactly know how we can begin to change this volatile climate, so I will instead leave you with a quote that is becoming more accurate every day:
To understand the workings of American politics, you have to understand this fundamental law: Conservatives think liberals are stupid. Liberals think conservatives are evil. — Charles Krauthammer
No comments:
Post a Comment