It’s OK to disagree
In fact, I prefer it. This means you are actively listening, and you may have something to teach me or give me an insight from a different perspective.
Occasionally, I like to participate without losing friends ( seems to be more challenging by the hour) or just get my blood pumping, so I wander into the other “book” of social media and listen to the political conversations, and occasionally, I even dip my feet in the water and I participate with a comment.
Sadly, either the schools have failed adults in the art of debate and argumentation, or many of us strongly need a refresher course.
Rarely do I hear, “I agree” or “I disagree because…”
It is even acceptable to say that I am wrong and here’s why (if you are confident enough with your support). I want to learn and so should everyone else.
And we need to hear more of this because we need to learn to not only listen to others and be silent, but we need to keep the debate at the impersonal and objective level.
I have been called a Nazi (to be fair, it was more implied) and my comments have been called, “pathetically ignorant.”
Many think that since most likely we will never have a face-face interaction, many indulge in being very “noble” or having let’s say, “confident courage.”
Or they might just not be very teachable since they think they know everything. If someone says something that may seem outlandish to you or totally ignorant or misleading, you can put them down with insults.
But here’s a better tip: challenge them. Question them. Make them convince you.
Keep a guide of logical fallacies handy (I always forget the names) and point out any that are violated.
This is the art of dialogue and debate. It could be fun and informative. If I am wrong, show me.
Maybe I did miss something or maybe I took something out of context. Or maybe I was right, but I did not consider the “big picture” and I did need your input for the picture to be more complete.
We are never going to 100% agree on the person, or the direction or the solution.
But we must come together and allow everyone a voice with confidence that they will not be persecuted or attacked in any way.
Or we will have young people grow up who feel their voices are unimportant and unheard and resort to burning buildings and tearing down statues to feel some type of vindication.
In this age of social media and technology, we need to emphasize not only healthy debates but active listening, and other areas of our lives will improve.
