unique political experience
i am in a unique position of being surrounded by a lot of different people on any given day. i would argue that most people in my profession are. although, if you teach k-12, most of the people you are around, can't vote. but where i am, pretty much, the majority can vote.
one of the fascinating things is that i see and hear and speak to and talk with and listen to a wide... let me rephrase that... WIDE spectrum of political and religious beliefs. you are a fool if you think that everyone who works for or at a university is liberal and an atheist. that is seriously NOT THE CASE.
i have plenty of colleagues who are socially and politically conservative. i have plenty who are socially and politically liberal. i have some who are socially conservative but politically liberal and some who are socially liberal and politically conservative. there is a mix. and for everyone of those, i encounter fifteen students who have the same thoughts.
this election brought out a lot of passion in people. it got people talking. it got people on BOTH sides to act like fools and yell and scream at others (which i do not approve of and do not tolerate at all). it brought out condescension on both sides and still is bringing it out.
one of the things that i see now, is that same fear and condescension i saw eight and four years ago. on those two elections, a man was elected president of the united states. the opposite side sat fearful and was condescending of what would happen. and i see that now again today. this does not work. this has never worked. this only creates problems.
i believe in being critical. i believe in questioning our leaders. i believe in picketing and writing letters. i believe in challenging authority. but condescension and throwing hands up in the air and assuming the worst does not work. everyone has the right to complain, but the other attitude only promotes hatred and shuts down paths of communication. we don't all have to agree all the time. that would be boring. but we should listen to each other. we should find common ground to work with. we should try to progress and move forward and give everything a chance.
and for those who argue we don't need a change, by sheer definition of our political system, the fact that we are required to have a new president after two terms means that we NEED a change. it is required. no matter a person's voting record, no matter a person's political beliefs, no matter a person's past experience, a new president will always bring change of some sort. so, give change with this person a chance. as he asks of you, go out and volunteer, help, be a part of it, criticize, question. don't try to change the world, be the change you want to see in the world.
talk to people. discuss. argue. but respect the difference. afterall, we all have being different in common.
one of the fascinating things is that i see and hear and speak to and talk with and listen to a wide... let me rephrase that... WIDE spectrum of political and religious beliefs. you are a fool if you think that everyone who works for or at a university is liberal and an atheist. that is seriously NOT THE CASE.
i have plenty of colleagues who are socially and politically conservative. i have plenty who are socially and politically liberal. i have some who are socially conservative but politically liberal and some who are socially liberal and politically conservative. there is a mix. and for everyone of those, i encounter fifteen students who have the same thoughts.
this election brought out a lot of passion in people. it got people talking. it got people on BOTH sides to act like fools and yell and scream at others (which i do not approve of and do not tolerate at all). it brought out condescension on both sides and still is bringing it out.
one of the things that i see now, is that same fear and condescension i saw eight and four years ago. on those two elections, a man was elected president of the united states. the opposite side sat fearful and was condescending of what would happen. and i see that now again today. this does not work. this has never worked. this only creates problems.
i believe in being critical. i believe in questioning our leaders. i believe in picketing and writing letters. i believe in challenging authority. but condescension and throwing hands up in the air and assuming the worst does not work. everyone has the right to complain, but the other attitude only promotes hatred and shuts down paths of communication. we don't all have to agree all the time. that would be boring. but we should listen to each other. we should find common ground to work with. we should try to progress and move forward and give everything a chance.
and for those who argue we don't need a change, by sheer definition of our political system, the fact that we are required to have a new president after two terms means that we NEED a change. it is required. no matter a person's voting record, no matter a person's political beliefs, no matter a person's past experience, a new president will always bring change of some sort. so, give change with this person a chance. as he asks of you, go out and volunteer, help, be a part of it, criticize, question. don't try to change the world, be the change you want to see in the world.
talk to people. discuss. argue. but respect the difference. afterall, we all have being different in common.
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very nice. great points. Thank you for this post. I am ashamed at some of the condescending remarks as well. And now it's time for everyone to stop and think what they can do to make a difference, to implement the change that they want to see in our world. This doesn't come through whining at the offense or unfairness. This doesn't come through passive discord. This comes through movement.
And it starts today.