Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Friday, October 21, 2016

We Need To Talk

It's time we begin to land this 2016 election plane. It flew a little too high and ran into turbulence. It's time to talk it down.

Change is hard for people. We've seen a lot of changes in the last eight years, two changes being the first black president and it looks likely the first woman president. This has rattled some Americans. The legalization of same sex marriage and protection of LBGT rights has caused some to push the panic button.

People no longer talk, they shout, they scream, they make vile threats. The conspiracy theory labs and the false rumor mills have become big business over the last eight years. Language is foul, mean and full of revenge.

Often these days I remember a quote I used to repeat often to myself while trying to hold my own against religious fundamentalists out for jihad. "If in fighting the beast you become like the beast, you are no better than the beast." (I'd love to know the source of that quote.)

How can we begin to talk this noisy violent plane down? It easy to want to have the last word, to get our pound of flesh. We need to recall often the words of First Lady Michelle Obama, "When they go low, we go high."

I have a hard time with controversy, I run from it. That makes it very difficult to hold my own in today's political environment. Politics and religion were two of the three reasons I fled Texas. It's easier for me to flee than to stand and fight, but what would happen if all the people who think like me ran away from the problem? Sometime we've got to stand and fight for what we believe. The question is, how do we do it without becoming like the beast we're fighting? I don't have an answer. I'd like to hear what you think. What can we as individuals do to bring down the temperature?

16 comments:

  1. I love that first quote! How true that is and would be a good reply to people who believe like Trump regarding fighting ISIS. Love Michelle's too.

    As for what we as individuals can do to bring the temperature down? I don't have a clue but I do know until we get rid of the obstructionists in the House and Senate the tensions, frustrations and uncivil-ness is going to be around.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has to begin at the lowest levels of government, at the local level. Until Democrats and Independents wake up and begin to vote in midterm elections we're going to continue to have problems. Voters have to send the message if Republicans want to hold office they have to learn the art of compromise. They have to bring down the temperature if they want a place at the table of democracy. We have to send a message anger, conspiracy theories, fear and hatred have no place at the table.

      Delete
  2. I am not always successful - well, this year, hardly ever,- but I have to approach controversy as an educator. That's who I am. Facts, reasons, explanations. Searching for the truth. But we have entered an era where truth is relative and facts don't matter. I will try to remain civil.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my goodness do we ever need people like you. We're sunk if we don't continue to seek the facts. Truth and facts are sometimes very different things. We need fact seekers. Perhaps you need to cover your brick or bat in velvet to make the delivery softer.

      Delete
  3. Wow! You nailed it with this post. Some people have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future. This seems to be a tread mill. people with all the money manage to get elected and they make rules for themselves first.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My biggest problem is having patience with the ones we have to drag kicking and screaming into the future.

      Delete
  4. There's been a lot of change in a short period, and that makes people uneasy. I will be glad when the election is over, though I'm not sure that will bring a close to all of this angst. Once stirred, all the little bits of the soup rise to the top. I'm afraid it will continue simmering.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The changes we've seen over the last eight years have reignited the flames of racism as well as sexism, and caused many to have to examine again their moral values. Tough stuff.

      Delete
  5. I like what Linda Reeder said. Educate with facts! Seems simple, but sometimes hard to do if people are unwilling or unable to listen.

    Fear is a tough emotion. A lot of folks are fearful; of Washington, politicians, science, facts, you get my drift. I don't know how to respond when someone is coming from a place of fear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have the answer but I hope as we discuss this together perhaps we will develop some answers.

      I do know one thing, it doesn't help to scream and rant as loud as the other person. It doesn't help to get in another person's face and yell.

      Delete
  6. Also educate about how to distinguish fact from opinion, which somehow seems a lost art.
    I don't like to confront either but I can ask questions...how did you learn that? what personal experience confirms your opinion? Not always easy, but I prefer to stay calm. And try to be an example.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Calm and in control, that's the secret. Only then can we accomplish anything. Facts, facts, facts, the more facts we know the calmer and more self assured we become. Those who shout the loudest generally know the least.

      Delete
  7. I just had to deal with it head on today with one of my closest family members. This is SUCH a relevant topic; the most relevant topic of our times and it so far reaching. And sadly it won't end on election day; the disappointment on the losing side isn't going to go away. It might even make things worse. I fear for us all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is extremely hard to deal with this situation among family and close friends, extremely hard. I've found it very helpful to live out of state. I also stopped following a lot of family and friends in Texas until after the election. My children watch me closely on Facebook because they know I am prone to 'poking the bear' on the subject of politics.

      Delete
  8. I'm a non-engager, too, and never will be one of those people who relishes a good argument. But change could be achieved if more people come out of their own world and try out the world of people different from themselves, if only for z little while.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm convinced those of us who are most comfortable remaining quiet are going to have to find our voices and find a way to be heard. Not easy but it has to happen.

      Delete