Some time ago, someone pushed me on an issue and wanted to know "exactly what side I was on." They wanted me to stand against some "others" in a way that made me uncomfortable because it felt like we were not differentiating between the problem and the people.
The moment you imply that I should demonize good people that I happen to know are not in agreement with you is the moment I find myself wondering if I need to put some distance between us. It does not matter if my thoughts actually align with you with respect to whatever issue you have brought up. After all, it turns out that some of the things I think and believe line up with people I happen to get along with as well as people I don't get along with all that well.
Yes, you heard that right. I don't particularly like some people with whom I agree with frequently. And I like others with whom I disagree with frequently. It sure is easier to get along with people you agree with more often than not, but it is not a prerequisite.
That's part of why I resurrected the "Carrotman" creation (thanks again Sam!). I am not particularly fond of carrots. Ok. I grow them and harvest them and even clean them. But, I will not eat them (yes, I have tried). I mean... I could have stood completely on principle and determined that I would not grow carrots on the farm ever...
But, I overcame my differences enough and there are, in fact, we will plant some in our fields this season. They grow well in the southwest plot, so we'll give them a go again in 2023.
So, am I "pro-carrot" or "anti-carrot?" Which side am I on?
Well, Tammy actually likes to snack on carrots and I like her a lot. Does that make me a "pro-carrot" individual? However, I honed a skill to remove all of the little orange carrot squares from my mixed vegetables so I could eat the rest of the veggies without a single carrot touching my lips. So, I must be part of the "anti-carrot" crowd...
It may
sound like I am not taking the actual subject seriously. But, I
actually am. The idea of being for or against carrots is actually more
complex than either/or. I can be pleased to pull out a nice sized "Bugs
Bunny" carrot out of the ground and not want to see it on my plate in
any form. On the other hand, I can take pleasure in the fact that Tammy
(or numerous other people) will happily enjoy carrots I grow.
Do you actually think a more serious topic should be simplified down to just "for or against?"
You've got to be kidding me. Really?
I can't simplify liking and disliking carrots because there is actually more to it than that. And you think bigger things are easily compartmentalized into two sides?
Let me be blunt. This is how relationships come to an end. This is how we tear down good things that have been built. This is how wars are started.
Stop pushing the narrative that your side is "good" while everyone else who is not on your side is "bad." You aren't making change, you are creating conflict. Conflict usually hurts those who can help themselves the least. We are better than that.
It is too bad that our society has come to the point where we cannot have a discussion about good carrots in bad carrots.
ReplyDeleteOpinions on both sides need to be discussed. I cannot figure out what has gone wrong with our society that we cannot even have a decent conversation that is open minded on both sides.