This is a serious question. I am not kidding here.
I'm going to be upfront and honest and tell you right off the bat that I feel as if our current president is the most divisive person to have ever held the office- at least what I know of in my life time of very nearly 39 years.
So with that knowledge of where I am coming from, you could easily say that my view is biased. I would say that is a fair perception as I believe we are all biased in one direction or another.
Dealing with that innate personal political bias has become extremely uncomfortable for me lately.
As I have mentioned before, I am literally surrounded by very liberal people. Almost no one that I see or talk to on a regular basis is conservative in any way.
Yes, I have been doing some soul searching about why this is so.....
All of that being said, I have found that with recent events I am now not only disgusted with the political policies of the left that I see so profoundly stealing my freedoms and ruining the country that I love so much, but I am actually starting to find the people that celebrate these developments to be completely repulsive as well.
Big questions swirl around in my head.
1) Questions about why I have been forced on several occasions to try and defend my pro-life stance.
I have actually been ridiculed in group settings because I simply cannot think of a good enough reason to kill any unborn human being.
2) Questions about why there are not more people who think that if you earned it, you ought to be able to keep most of it. I know so many people who are living off the government in one way or another and I am just sickened by how sad it is that these people will never rise to their full potential.
3) Questions about what it means to believe in 'the American way'. If the American way is disappearing, then what is the right place for me?!
I feel as if continuing to expose myself to people who I feel are abusive to my senses is wrong for me. And yet I don't see myself as some crazy person who wants to be isolated from society.
If I were somewhere that people were more representative of the feelings of the American people- say more of a 50/50 split, I could at least feel safe to express myself without coming off as constantly defensive. Don't get me wrong, I have gotten pretty good at getting people to think a bit- even liberals on occasion! But I am growing very weary of feeling like the only one in the room that sees what's going on with the current administration.
While it's true that this has never been a perfect country, I really do believe that things are getting worse. And I want to be around people that are part of the solution, not those who celebrate the demise and what they might get out of it for themselves.
So I ask:
Is it time for me to move on from those who have consistently been unable to hear anything other than what they want to hear? Is it still important to try to change minds, even those you don't think can ever be changed? Is it more productive to spend my time with people I think will be part of a solution, rather than be fooled by the demise?
I won't pretend that a person can ever feel connected to everyone on the same level and I know that we must all deal with people of all types and opinions. I guess I am just wanting to know how much exposure is enough?! And what should the purpose of that exposure be?!
Only you can say when enough is enough. Our gut feelings are pretty reliable I think. If you are starting to resent these insensitive people, move on. They are only approaching you like this because there is safety in numbers and they have an audience. I would no longer seek them out or make an effort to be in their presence. If they make the first move, decide at that point and go with your first inclination and say what you need to say to get it off your chest rather than carrying it around with you and regretting that you backed down. California is such a train wreck and you could point out that it's their participation in liberal policies that is the cause. YOU could pick the fight the next time and point out one of these people for ridicule but that's your choice. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone, Jasmine. This is why I've turned to posting some more controversial posts at my site. Getting people to think is a good place to get started. And engaging all sides helps to expand the conversation. Preaching to the choir is not going to gain any converts, but engaging the opposition might at least bring them closer to the truth. Keep up the good fight! Even if we don't win, it won't be for lack of trying.
ReplyDeleteLee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
Oh, and one more thing. Keep on educating yourself and be very aware of the issues. If you know more than the other side you can be more persuasive. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteLee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
I think it's a lot more difficult when you're surrounded by people who have such extreme views. Here, just about everyone thinks like me, and you don't have to worry about someone shouting you down if you mention how much you dislike Obama in public.
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone. In fact, you're in the majority. Always have been, no matter what the TV or the vote tallies say (because I refuse to believe he was legitimately elected this time around).
The problem is that we've created a monster in those who accept entitlements and profit off government handouts. And those in power know that in order to maintain it, they have no other choice but to continue pandering to them. With this administration though, it reached critical mass. On purpose.
The thing that got to me yesterday was this whole using kids as props. Those kids didn't come up with those letters themselves. Not a damn one of them. I know this as a parent. My kids parrot MY beliefs and the beliefs of those who influence them. Teachers. It's disgusting. Disgusting.
Ugh. I could go on and on, it makes me so mad. You're not alone. You may FEEL alone. You're not, trust me.
I was trying to ignore him...then he had to go and be all dictatorial again. So much for that.
ReplyDeleteJasmine: Never wrestle with a pig. When it's all over, you are covered with shit, and the pig had a good time. You live in California. Before you convince anyone in that state to open his or her mind (without drugs), try to empty the Pacific into a cup with a teaspoon.
ReplyDeleteYou do not have to do a thing. There are more than 150 million people that agree with you. Unfortunately, this started in the 1960s. People have been brainwashed with propaganda from the media, politicians, and public school teachers. It will change when they get hit in the pocketbook, which will not be too long. Hang in there, and don't punish yourself. We are all frustrated.
I am going to just try and answer your questions directly. You are asking, "What should I do? Should I continue to try and change minds out there in the real world like I have been doing? Should I change paths? What????"
ReplyDeleteHere is what I would say to you: "Everyone who has responded is right. So, with that in mind, I would know that my neighbors know my views. I would stop trying to win the war on this front. At this point in time I feel frustrated, angry, and annoyed with these people. I don't even like them very much. I can't win over anyone I cease to like. Therefore, I am choosing to take this topic off the table by my choice. If I want to have intelligent political discourse, which I believe is healthy, I will have it is safer forums, like on blogger. I know about several political blogs where I can have an intelligent sharing of ideas. That is where I will take my discussions henceforth. I will only discuss politics with people who are respectful of my viewpoints (naturally, that will go both ways). But, I will stop beating my head against this same old ugly wall."
I am only saying to you a variation of a conversation that I had to have with myself about this very same topic. Not every "platform" of life is conducive to politics. Period. Right now we are extremely divided as a country and, worse yet, we are horribly disrespectful of any opinion that does not hold with our own. Honestly, I have never seen anything like it. I keep trying to trace it back to "something," and I now think it is the breakdown of the family. Other things are making it worse, but I think that is the largest problem we have as a society. We have lost our core, and people do not have any models to understand how to treat one another. So many people do not come back from it. They never figure it out. They disrespect themselves, other people, and it goes on and on. This was way more than you asked for... but, you knew the answer to your question (truly) before you wrote the blog. You just wanted confirmation. We all know the "right" things to do; we just don't want to know because the answers are hard. You feel me?
You are not alone. You never were. You never will be. Does that make it go down any easier?
You're not alone in your feelings. I'm just so sad and worried for our country. I wish I had answers...
ReplyDeleteFirstly, let me say that I have a feeling you & I agree politically on things. So hit me up anytime if you need some support!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, it's okay to be around people who think & believe differently than you. I actually think it's a good thing, as it helps us to examine our own stances and either strengthens our position, or perhaps change them. What is not okay is when people become belligerent, offensive, or even abusive in their arguments. That is not okay, and yes, it happens on both sides of the political fence. If people are treating you badly because of your stance on a political issue (or anything else!), then it speaks to their character as a person, and you absolutely should remove yourself from such a negative influence.
Lastly, have you tried finding a group to join? Surely you're not actually alone. Like whatever your political party happens to be, maybe look for a local committee to join or campaign to volunteer on?