Reading through others' social media responses to the
election results, a familiar theme emerges. Upon reflecting I realize that, while not a Romney supporter, I
do not and never did hate him, although I have deep concerns about and
disagree with many of his political philosophies. So instead of
becoming accustomed to it, I am always alarmed again when I encounter the
hatefulness others can have toward those they disagree with. Interestingly, comments of
this nature rarely seem to center on issues, but are instead generally vague on details yet full of fear and disgust.
These attitudes are deeply disappointing. (I also suspect a negative correlation exists between the amount of time an
individual spends venting about issues on Facebook, for example, and the
amount of time spent actually doing meaningful work in the world.) But today was always bound to
be a difficult day, whatever the outcome of the election. Ultimately, I remind
myself that the loudest voices aren't the most representative. Most people - regardless
of their political affiliations – have worldviews that are calmer, more
educated and more reasonable than these outliers, and are probably making a positive impact with their language and their lives.
But even short of blatant hate, I also find the sports-like nature of politics in our society distasteful. The us vs. them, winner/loser, ra-ra-go-team paradigm and atmosphere of discourse polarizes the issues and the candidates and the electorate into two competing teams, when the issues at hand are actually far more complex and critical than should be able to be so divided. So maybe, if you're an Obama supporter (and I am), consider not inciting passions and the worst in others today by referring to the Romney camp as "losers," or even as "the other side." Let's be gracious and dignified today and every day.
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| Be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi |
Okay, let's go do some good work.
- Sarah
2 comments:
I was wondering when you'd blog about the election! I mean, I would say it's a hot topic of 2012...maybe in the top ten. :) I understand where you are coming from. I think that with anything when people feel passionate about something they tend to get fired up a bit more when they don't understand why people can't just share the same passion in the same way as they do. It just doesn't make sense! Social media provides an outlet to just let it out. However, it's also a place where others can fire back at you or where you might choose to argue a point that someone else has made. In the end, I don't even know if our opinions matter much anymore. I know that sounds horrible, but we've had so many close elections, there are just as many haters as there are lovers it seems and yet we just keep letting it all spin, spin, spin. Another two year cycle has begun in the larger four year cycle. Anyway, keep blogging! This conversation is neverending.
Thanks, Anna. You make good points. I do think our opinions matter and are important but, as you probably know from other posts, I have ongoing concern about the way these are discussed in our society. High passions play a role. There's something else going on, too... It seems we don't even have facts or a certain process of dialogue as common ground. Yes: Spin, spin, spin. You are so right - this conversation is never-ending! Not an issue with a simple analysis or solution. So, anyway, thanks again!
- Sarah
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