What’s the reason behind thinking half of them are acting in bad faith? Is that because you disagree with them?
The thought of “there is no reasoning with them” is why each group of the electorate has become more and more polarized. Things have been getting worse because all groups only want to talk to people that agree with their own viewpoint.
We all can just do a better job of talking with fellow Americans about these things respectfully, admit positions we can compromise on and educate to convince on positions we are less likely to compromise on.
How exactly do you propose we get people who want to force all trans people to detransition or face persecution to stop wanting that?
The whole “it must be because you disagree with them!” narrative only makes sense if you ignore any and all context surrounding what’s being disagreed upon. Of course, those people are a vocal minority within the population, but a vocal minority who cause a disporportionate number of problems. ~Strawberry
I’m not saying it’s easy. From the people I have interacted with that are in the vocal minority group, often have no interaction with the groups they are vehemently against. If those people are given the opportunity to interact with someone that is trans or a group they are dehumanizing, they will come to relate to them and that will change their views. When people interact with people they will humanize them and realize that first and foremost we are all human beings.
A good case study of this is Darryl Davis, a black man, who ended up befriending several members of the KKK. Those people he interacted with ended up abandoning the Klan and that made an impact on racism.
If people demonstrated more of that compassion, the world would be a better place than it currently is.
But I think you are missing that the people Darryl talked to had to also be open to that conversation in the first place.
Moreover, the physical risk in that approach is quite high and the level of violence in the modern GOP’s rhetoric has just continued to ratchet up every year. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the same approach in this situation. Most of the people that we’d need to replicate what Davis did are in no position to put themselves in that kind of situation–and presumed allies like myself can only do so much.
The KKK is a violent extremist organization. How is interacting with that any less risky than the current political climate?
If people just give up on dialog there is 0% of change but if we don’t give up and there is even a 5% chance of humanizing with someone to change their hurtful view, that is many thousands of times better than no chance.
Because Davis was a grown adult when he started doing this, not a teenager or younger that is already much more likely to be a victim of violence.
I never said we shouldn’t try to have a conversation, but there are situations where I cannot recommend putting yourself in harm just for the small chance of changing someone’s mind. Davis decided to do that, but it’s not everyone else’s responsibility or duty to do the same.
I think I see where you are coming from, but there does need to be a line where we can just acknowledge reality.
What’s the reason behind thinking half of them are acting in bad faith? Is that because you disagree with them?
This is especially galling when talking about the Supreme Court specifically. McConnell refused to do his legal duty and allow a vote on the current President’s nomination to replace Ginsburg. He and his party said this was because it was unfair to seat a new Justice during an election year.
Several years later, the exact same people rushed through a nomination and confirmation of a new Justice just weeks before the 2020 election. The two situations are as close to identical as can be practical with two real-world examples.
Please explain how this should be interpreted in a way that can be described as “operating in good faith”.
When I’m talking about perspectives of who is operating in good faith, I’m referring to the general American populace and not politicians. That was based on the comment I was replying to. Politicians as a whole, and I think the majority of people can agree, not that trustworthy.
To the example you provided, I think McConnell was operating based on what congressional rules of procedures allow. Should he have let it go to a vote? Yes. However, he was acting in the interest of the people who elected him. He used the means available to him to achieve the outcome his electorate wanted. It wasn’t fair that he didn’t allow the vote but unfortunately the system isn’t fair.
Americans need to get more involved in elections. A max of roughly 40% participation in non presidential years and 60% in presidential election years is abhorrent and we need more involvement to get politicians who have been in office for 15 plus years out of office.
What’s the reason behind thinking half of them are acting in bad faith? Is that because you disagree with them?
The thought of “there is no reasoning with them” is why each group of the electorate has become more and more polarized. Things have been getting worse because all groups only want to talk to people that agree with their own viewpoint.
We all can just do a better job of talking with fellow Americans about these things respectfully, admit positions we can compromise on and educate to convince on positions we are less likely to compromise on.
How exactly do you propose we get people who want to force all trans people to detransition or face persecution to stop wanting that?
The whole “it must be because you disagree with them!” narrative only makes sense if you ignore any and all context surrounding what’s being disagreed upon. Of course, those people are a vocal minority within the population, but a vocal minority who cause a disporportionate number of problems. ~Strawberry
I’m not saying it’s easy. From the people I have interacted with that are in the vocal minority group, often have no interaction with the groups they are vehemently against. If those people are given the opportunity to interact with someone that is trans or a group they are dehumanizing, they will come to relate to them and that will change their views. When people interact with people they will humanize them and realize that first and foremost we are all human beings.
A good case study of this is Darryl Davis, a black man, who ended up befriending several members of the KKK. Those people he interacted with ended up abandoning the Klan and that made an impact on racism.
If people demonstrated more of that compassion, the world would be a better place than it currently is.
I admire your compassion and empathy.
But I think you are missing that the people Darryl talked to had to also be open to that conversation in the first place.
Moreover, the physical risk in that approach is quite high and the level of violence in the modern GOP’s rhetoric has just continued to ratchet up every year. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the same approach in this situation. Most of the people that we’d need to replicate what Davis did are in no position to put themselves in that kind of situation–and presumed allies like myself can only do so much.
The KKK is a violent extremist organization. How is interacting with that any less risky than the current political climate?
If people just give up on dialog there is 0% of change but if we don’t give up and there is even a 5% chance of humanizing with someone to change their hurtful view, that is many thousands of times better than no chance.
Things will never improve if we give up.
Because Davis was a grown adult when he started doing this, not a teenager or younger that is already much more likely to be a victim of violence.
I never said we shouldn’t try to have a conversation, but there are situations where I cannot recommend putting yourself in harm just for the small chance of changing someone’s mind. Davis decided to do that, but it’s not everyone else’s responsibility or duty to do the same.
I think I see where you are coming from, but there does need to be a line where we can just acknowledge reality.
This is especially galling when talking about the Supreme Court specifically. McConnell refused to do his legal duty and allow a vote on the current President’s nomination to replace Ginsburg. He and his party said this was because it was unfair to seat a new Justice during an election year.
Several years later, the exact same people rushed through a nomination and confirmation of a new Justice just weeks before the 2020 election. The two situations are as close to identical as can be practical with two real-world examples.
Please explain how this should be interpreted in a way that can be described as “operating in good faith”.
When I’m talking about perspectives of who is operating in good faith, I’m referring to the general American populace and not politicians. That was based on the comment I was replying to. Politicians as a whole, and I think the majority of people can agree, not that trustworthy.
To the example you provided, I think McConnell was operating based on what congressional rules of procedures allow. Should he have let it go to a vote? Yes. However, he was acting in the interest of the people who elected him. He used the means available to him to achieve the outcome his electorate wanted. It wasn’t fair that he didn’t allow the vote but unfortunately the system isn’t fair.
Americans need to get more involved in elections. A max of roughly 40% participation in non presidential years and 60% in presidential election years is abhorrent and we need more involvement to get politicians who have been in office for 15 plus years out of office.