In case you haven't noticed, we're in the middle of an election season. It's been kind of hard to miss.
Your family may be among the many that are divided politically. Your parents (or you) may not be speaking to someone who disagrees with them on who to vote for. People are arguing endlessly, and social media isn't helping. Relationships, even with those you may have known for years, are strained. What does that have to do with ATYP?
One of the foundational strategies we try to teach at ATYP is open discourse and debate - not just providing an argument and knowing how to defend it, but listening to someone else's argument respectfully. Listening not to RESPOND, but listening to HEAR what the other person is saying. Considering it thoughtfully. Thinking about why you agree or disagree. Understanding what makes it a position you can support or deny.
What should you consider when listening to another person's opinion or point of view? Is their argument persuasive because it tugs on your heartstrings and evokes sentiment, patriotism, or some other emotional twist? Is the argument based on data and facts that are widely supported? Does it appeal to a cultural norm you have heard repeated at home or among friends? Does the argument rely on the logical fallacies that many of you are learning about in English classes? Know the strategies that others will use to convince you, and be wary of tactics that are not based in truth or rationality.
Regardless of whether you end up accepting or rejecting the other person's point of view, HOW did you receive it? Was there yelling and screaming? Was there eye rolling and deep sighs of disgust? Or was there measured contemplation and thoughtful consideration? Some people will attempt to frame these types of responses as "politically correct," but we like to think of them as decency and civility. Intelligent people from all sides of the political spectrum can disagree about policies, options, and courses of action, and they can do so in a way that does not demean, dehumanize, or "other" the opposing side.
Hopefully, once we are past November 3 we can all go back to being friends, families, and neighbors. In the meantime, try to stay above the fray, and remember, HOW you disagree with others may be just as important as why.
Until next time,
Ms. Nan
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