I am reading a new book called Truth over Tribe (Pledging allegiance to the lamb, not the donkey or the elephant), and it's a book I feel very much relatable to my life.
I am the liberal in conservative circles and the conservative in liberal circles, and 100% it is my fault.
I have taught for 24 years now and one of the main things I try to get across to my students is that there are different perspectives on any given issue. You don't have to believe what someone else does, but show some respect and be able to defend your own opinion or facts.
It's my fault because I talk too much and have an opinion even more too often.
And, if that person is arguing from a feet planted, firm perspective, I just have to try and show a different way. I don't know why I do it, I should just keep my mouth shut, but I don't sometimes.
And then...
That person either treats my perspective (which may not even be my opinion) with respectful disagreement or, well, doesn't.
And then because I can be emotionally immature when treated like I don't know what I'm talking about, tend to maybe lose it a little.
Ok, sometimes a lot.
I am not perfect, and I sure as heck don't know everything, but I can promise you if I put it out there, I have thought about it a lot and tried to look at an issue from every angle.
Just because I don't agree with something or someone doesn't agree with me, doesn't me that we are wrong, in fact, we are just looking at something from a different perspective.
Abortion?
You're looking through the pregnant woman's perspective or the unborn's perspective.
Illegal Immigration?
You're looking through the people running for a better life's perspective, or how can we handle so many new people and still function perspective.
Law enforcement?
You're looking through the police perspective or the minority policed perspective.
And on and on and on.
Here's a good test for you when it comes to whether you have an open mind or not.
Do you ever feel that your "side" is wrong on any issue or does anything wrong, misspeaks, etc?
Also, when your "side" does this, are you willing to admit it or even speak up and point it out?
If no on those questions, you just might be part of the problem.
But so am I, but I'm trying.
