Throughout this American presidential election cycle I've held on to certain biases and certain opinions. Like everyone else, there were few things people could say, especially with raised voices or words in all caps, to change my mind. And yet, I've considered myself a neutral citizen, telling myself that I was keeping aloof from all the political parties.
So I was surprised when I read someone's Facebook post, someone who had determined where they would stand on November 8th. I was surprised for two reasons. First, I actually didn't expect that they would reach the conclusion they did, choose the candidate they did. Second, and most importantly, this person's explanation of why they would be voting this way was incredibly honest, civil, and based on earnest research, consideration, and prayer. It was so refreshing. Most interesting of all, it was perhaps the most persuasive message in support of this certain candidate I had ever encountered.
You see, almost all of the people who I see and hear adamantly supporting this candidate or that one, almost all of them seemed—at least to me—to get on their individual soapboxes and proclaim why they are right and others are wrong. That frustrates me so much. Almost every politicaly-charged meme or video I see posted, almost every post or article I see that seeks to convince opposers, once and for all, of the "obvious" errors of their ways is like this. I think it's good to have strong feelings for what you believe is right, but are you really trying to convince your personal network on the Internet, your friends, that they are absolutely wrong and you are absolutely right?
Such have been my thoughts. I've had my own biases all along, and it took just one friend to come to the middle ground and explain his sincere thoughts and feelings to truly persuade me to rethink what I was thinking.
Today, I am grateful to see a simple demonstration of civil, respectful, even persuasive political dialogue on the internet.
No comments:
Post a Comment