Ideological bigotry: Are you part of the problem?

[Rage for Order]

Excellent opinion piece (imho) at the link, from which I've excerpted a few paragraphs below. The entire editorial makes for a good read and the author raises some valid points.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20100810/cm_csm/318460

Abraham Lincoln's famous 1858 speech emphasized "a house divided against itself cannot stand." These words come to mind as I ponder the excess divisiveness so prevalent in America today. We are building silos of ideologies, isolating ourselves into factions, and preaching to our choirs about the faults and defects of "the other." Each silo is suffering from "groupthink" – reinforcing its own dogma and avoiding any feedback that disagrees with the party line. At its worst, it is ideological bigotry.

Healthy differences of opinion have helped America grow and prosper. Respectful contentiousness comes with citizenship in a democracy! The diversity of ideas and cultures has proved immensely valuable in our nation's history. And both history and common sense confirm that the key is to make sure debates are about ideas, not people. That way, even after vigorous exchanges, opposing players can laugh together and leave with good-natured feelings.

But cruel words and dismissive sarcasm can damage our ties with rivals – and perhaps even friends and family. Like war without explosions, it leads to wounds that cannot be healed with a drink or a laugh. Unless more people start insisting on respectful communications about their ideologies – their "interests" – and encourage dialogue rather than war as a means of reconciling their different interests, our society will continue to divide and fragmentize.

Join me in ending the cycles of incivilities, negativity, disrespect, and insulting sarcasms. Take a stand against engaging in conversations or e-mail exchanges that perpetuate these cycles and take us all down to lower levels of human relationships. Stop listening to it; stop repeating it; stop encouraging this pattern of divisiveness. Instead of spouting our opinions and preaching to those in our silo, let's reach out to those who have different viewpoints. Nothing will change unless we do.

More at the link


There are numerous valid points in the article. Obviously there are some people who will never change their minds, who are deserving of nothing more than our contempt: Limpballs, Beck, Hannity, and their hard-core followers, for example. However, as the last election showed, if you engage those you disagree with in a respectful dialogue a sizable number of them can be swayed to our point of view. 30% of us will always vote Democratic, and 30% will always vote Republican. The fight for the middle 40% is where the battle for America is won or lost, and mutual respect and civility can go a long way towards convincing people as to which side they should join. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Rage for Order]

1. Shameless kick

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