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Every so often I break down and have to make the same post, over and over. So many times here I've spoken out against Us vs. Them and the refusal to listen reasonably to the other side, but what good does it do? It seems to be human nature, and it just gets worse and worse when there's an election afoot. In the past 24 hours I've heard two impassioned pleas coming from two sides of the political fence that used such similar language that it struck me hard in the heart, and not quite in the way either side wanted it to.
First there was one saying something like, "Sure, I know lots of people who say they'll vote conservative for economic reasons, and they say they don't agree with the conservative position on gay marriage, but HOW CAN THEY HONESTLY SAY TO MY FACE THAT THEY'D VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHO WON'T ALLOW ME BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS?!" Then came "Some people think they'll know who to vote for, but ask yourself, if you vote for someone who's pro-abortion, CAN YOU LIVE WITH YOUR DECISION TO LET THOUSANDS OF LIVES BE TAKEN DAILY?" As this last was coming from a religious standpoint, it was followed up with a "Pray on it. Pray on your decision as you go to vote. See what God says to you." And I heard what God said to me. He told me to SPEAK UP. To point out how most people have good intentions, GREAT intentions, but won't listen to the other side or try to work with them.
And I cried, because it seems so hopeless. What can I do? I written that so many times before. And all I've got is this blog, this generally unread, unnoticed blog-- I can speak up, but does anyone even HEAR me, let alone listen? Am I too much in my comfort zone, here? Should I go door to door campaigning for the importance of Respecting and Listening to Each Other?
This IS the first time I've addressed this subject since I discovered that whole Type 9 thing. And I realize how completely and classically Type 9 this IS. Maybe I AM the only one seeing these things (well... me and other Type 9s?). Maybe this is my unique gift, to see all sides and try to get them to come together. As such, maybe I AM a bit of a prophet, and I'm NEEDED to call people together, to break down the barriers, to encourage respectful discussion between differing viewpoints. But I'm frightened and hopeless, because I know people will only hear what they want to. If I am a prophet, I'm a Cassandra, trying and trying to tell people the truth in vain.
But I guess I have to say it anyway.
LISTEN. Listen not to the extreme members of the other side, but to the honest, genuine believers. Hear what they have to say, and take hold of the parts where you agree. Now if you still disagree with their stance on the whole, explain your stance in a way that takes their concerns into consideration. Maybe they'll refuse to listen. Maybe they won't. Maybe they'll tell you something about the issue that YOU never thought of before. Maybe YOU'LL learn. Maybe you'll both continue with your old opinions, or maybe you'll find a way to meet in the middle. WHO KNOWS.
Over and over, people who say they're against stereotyping end up stereotyping others. People who say that freedom is the most important thing try to limit the freedoms of others. People who are against rigid fundamentalism fight against it with their own brand of rigid fundamentalism. And it GETS US NOWHERE. Nowhere but farther away from each other, hurting and hating and tearing down each other when we NEED each other to work together, to build UP.
Yes, it's election time. And I can't tell you who to vote for. Probably you've already decided. But that doesn't matter. What does matter is that you're not hating on the people who will vote differently. That you don't assume the worst about them (whether that they're stupid OR that they're evil). And once the elections have been made, you work WITH whoever's in those positions to find a way that works best for everyone-- not sticking stubbornly and refusing to listen. Share your beliefs-- speak up for what you feel is right-- but keep listening, and discussing, and respecting.
First there was one saying something like, "Sure, I know lots of people who say they'll vote conservative for economic reasons, and they say they don't agree with the conservative position on gay marriage, but HOW CAN THEY HONESTLY SAY TO MY FACE THAT THEY'D VOTE FOR SOMEONE WHO WON'T ALLOW ME BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS?!" Then came "Some people think they'll know who to vote for, but ask yourself, if you vote for someone who's pro-abortion, CAN YOU LIVE WITH YOUR DECISION TO LET THOUSANDS OF LIVES BE TAKEN DAILY?" As this last was coming from a religious standpoint, it was followed up with a "Pray on it. Pray on your decision as you go to vote. See what God says to you." And I heard what God said to me. He told me to SPEAK UP. To point out how most people have good intentions, GREAT intentions, but won't listen to the other side or try to work with them.
And I cried, because it seems so hopeless. What can I do? I written that so many times before. And all I've got is this blog, this generally unread, unnoticed blog-- I can speak up, but does anyone even HEAR me, let alone listen? Am I too much in my comfort zone, here? Should I go door to door campaigning for the importance of Respecting and Listening to Each Other?
This IS the first time I've addressed this subject since I discovered that whole Type 9 thing. And I realize how completely and classically Type 9 this IS. Maybe I AM the only one seeing these things (well... me and other Type 9s?). Maybe this is my unique gift, to see all sides and try to get them to come together. As such, maybe I AM a bit of a prophet, and I'm NEEDED to call people together, to break down the barriers, to encourage respectful discussion between differing viewpoints. But I'm frightened and hopeless, because I know people will only hear what they want to. If I am a prophet, I'm a Cassandra, trying and trying to tell people the truth in vain.
But I guess I have to say it anyway.
LISTEN. Listen not to the extreme members of the other side, but to the honest, genuine believers. Hear what they have to say, and take hold of the parts where you agree. Now if you still disagree with their stance on the whole, explain your stance in a way that takes their concerns into consideration. Maybe they'll refuse to listen. Maybe they won't. Maybe they'll tell you something about the issue that YOU never thought of before. Maybe YOU'LL learn. Maybe you'll both continue with your old opinions, or maybe you'll find a way to meet in the middle. WHO KNOWS.
Over and over, people who say they're against stereotyping end up stereotyping others. People who say that freedom is the most important thing try to limit the freedoms of others. People who are against rigid fundamentalism fight against it with their own brand of rigid fundamentalism. And it GETS US NOWHERE. Nowhere but farther away from each other, hurting and hating and tearing down each other when we NEED each other to work together, to build UP.
Yes, it's election time. And I can't tell you who to vote for. Probably you've already decided. But that doesn't matter. What does matter is that you're not hating on the people who will vote differently. That you don't assume the worst about them (whether that they're stupid OR that they're evil). And once the elections have been made, you work WITH whoever's in those positions to find a way that works best for everyone-- not sticking stubbornly and refusing to listen. Share your beliefs-- speak up for what you feel is right-- but keep listening, and discussing, and respecting.
