The global sociopolitical climate have been so contentious the past couple of years. Many people blame it on the generation gap or the birth of a new world of progressive thinking. Either way you lean, you will agree that the world is changing and people are starting to have a "them" versus "us" mentality. As a result, I started to think, what if we were in a debate club? Wouldn't I first understand my opponent's viewpoint to the point where I can argue their case for them? I can better argue my view point if I totally understand my opponent's viewpoint. I don't have to agree with my opponent's viewpoint but I have to understand and respect their viewpoint.
Why then do people seem to feel attacked or betrayed when someone doesn't believe what they believe? While ruminating on these thoughts, I realized there are so many factors that has contributed to the tension. These factors include the following but not limited to; social media, globalization, technology, Economic Fluidity, Complexities around Healthcare and many more factors we cannot even measure at this time.
After exploring all the various factors contributing to the current social climate, I realized I won't be able provide a comprehensive explanation until each factor have been properly dissected. In the mean time, I think the article by Sean Blanda can be a buoy for those people who are really searching for ways to tolerate the other side. It's very helpful to understand the other side rather than attack them. Moreover, America will not be America if we all had the same opinion or think the same way. That's the beauty of being an American; coexisting amidst the differences.
I really think everyone can benefit from the wise words of Sean Blanda in his article, "The Other Side is Not Dumb." I recommend reading the article because it can kick start your thought process when dealing with an opposition or someone with a different viewpoint. Enjoy!
My favorite excerpt from the article was, "As any debate club veteran knows, if you can’t make your opponent’s point for them, you don’t truly grasp the issue. We can bemoan political gridlock and a divisive media all we want. But we won’t truly progress as individuals until we make an honest effort to understand those that are not like us. And you won’t convince anyone to feel the way you do if you don’t respect their position and opinions. When you refuse to truly understand those who disagree with you, it's intellectual laziness and that's usually worse than what you’re accusing the Other Side of doing."
Why then do people seem to feel attacked or betrayed when someone doesn't believe what they believe? While ruminating on these thoughts, I realized there are so many factors that has contributed to the tension. These factors include the following but not limited to; social media, globalization, technology, Economic Fluidity, Complexities around Healthcare and many more factors we cannot even measure at this time.
After exploring all the various factors contributing to the current social climate, I realized I won't be able provide a comprehensive explanation until each factor have been properly dissected. In the mean time, I think the article by Sean Blanda can be a buoy for those people who are really searching for ways to tolerate the other side. It's very helpful to understand the other side rather than attack them. Moreover, America will not be America if we all had the same opinion or think the same way. That's the beauty of being an American; coexisting amidst the differences.
I really think everyone can benefit from the wise words of Sean Blanda in his article, "The Other Side is Not Dumb." I recommend reading the article because it can kick start your thought process when dealing with an opposition or someone with a different viewpoint. Enjoy!
My favorite excerpt from the article was, "As any debate club veteran knows, if you can’t make your opponent’s point for them, you don’t truly grasp the issue. We can bemoan political gridlock and a divisive media all we want. But we won’t truly progress as individuals until we make an honest effort to understand those that are not like us. And you won’t convince anyone to feel the way you do if you don’t respect their position and opinions. When you refuse to truly understand those who disagree with you, it's intellectual laziness and that's usually worse than what you’re accusing the Other Side of doing."
Here's the link to the detailed article the excerpt came from: https://medium.com/@
