I really appreciate your suggestions of open ended questions and looking for feedback rather than accusations that lead to defensive positions automatically. I think this way of questioning and discussion may not lead directly to a thoughtful conversation with folks who we fundamentally disagree with but a question may land on a person w…
I really appreciate your suggestions of open ended questions and looking for feedback rather than accusations that lead to defensive positions automatically. I think this way of questioning and discussion may not lead directly to a thoughtful conversation with folks who we fundamentally disagree with but a question may land on a person who will think about it later and perhaps open their mind a bit to the possibility that their reasons for supporting Trump is not on as solid ground as they thought. When I hold an opinion so close to the heart I ask myself “Am I sure?” and 9 out of 10 times the answer is no if I’m at least honest with myself. Just asking that simple question opens the heart and mind.
Thanks, KD. I agree. And while I bet many people are tempted to walk away from reading this article shaking their heads at the parts that made them mad, I hope they don’t forget about the positive parts where we can see glimpses of hope in some responses that conveyed independent thinking. Our biased assumptions are typically proven wrong, or at least insufficient, once you get past the surface.
Yes agreed. I live in a very conservative area and voting for a democrat is sacrilegious and for me growing up in Chicago in a very progressive household back in the 80s, this period reminds me of when Reagan was elected and republicans revered him and the democrats despised him. I think putting so much hope and stock into an individual rather than the principles they uphold is a very human thing to do. It’s the tribal mindset and if we are to progress as a species and survive what’s coming for all us regardless of party politics we need to learn to hold the tribal instincts more loosely than we do. It’s interesting times for sure.
I really appreciate your suggestions of open ended questions and looking for feedback rather than accusations that lead to defensive positions automatically. I think this way of questioning and discussion may not lead directly to a thoughtful conversation with folks who we fundamentally disagree with but a question may land on a person who will think about it later and perhaps open their mind a bit to the possibility that their reasons for supporting Trump is not on as solid ground as they thought. When I hold an opinion so close to the heart I ask myself “Am I sure?” and 9 out of 10 times the answer is no if I’m at least honest with myself. Just asking that simple question opens the heart and mind.
Thanks, KD. I agree. And while I bet many people are tempted to walk away from reading this article shaking their heads at the parts that made them mad, I hope they don’t forget about the positive parts where we can see glimpses of hope in some responses that conveyed independent thinking. Our biased assumptions are typically proven wrong, or at least insufficient, once you get past the surface.
Yes agreed. I live in a very conservative area and voting for a democrat is sacrilegious and for me growing up in Chicago in a very progressive household back in the 80s, this period reminds me of when Reagan was elected and republicans revered him and the democrats despised him. I think putting so much hope and stock into an individual rather than the principles they uphold is a very human thing to do. It’s the tribal mindset and if we are to progress as a species and survive what’s coming for all us regardless of party politics we need to learn to hold the tribal instincts more loosely than we do. It’s interesting times for sure.