I liked this a lot. I think it involves pausing in the space of not knowing and just listening which is hard for us. Because in the pause sometimes the person does say a thing that’s very hurtful too, and doubles down. But I’d rather be in the pause but in the reactivity which ultimately activates me more into unhappiness.
This grew much more complex than I first anticipated. Great essay. My knee-jerk response is that candidates aren't likely to define concepts for which there is no cohesive agreement, defund the police being one. Define it and you lose every voter who doesn't share that definition. It's a no-win situation.
Family Stone is one of those movies I've seen many times, and I love your exploration of the dinner scene. Why the sacrifice? My answer is that it had nothing to do with logic. It's an emotional dam burst that's about the dozen times they've deflected her comments and the indignity of the challenge within the safe haven they've created against a world of such opinions.
But that's just my thoughts.
We're just not as far along as a country as I thought. I suspect that's true for many, no matter how cynical we thought we were. I keep hoping that at the very least people will see the outcome of their choices, and while many have, so many I wish to reach dubious bury their heads in right-wing media, never challenging their beliefs against anything resembling reality.
But that idea that we're not so far along also explains the majority of our liberal politicians who I suspect have been better aware of this than me. They haven't been reflecting our better nature but who we are, where we are. I hate that thought.
Thanks for this thoughtful comment. It’s so easy to be compassionate to people on both sides of that scene…but I think it took time for me to see it without knee-jerk reacting.
I liked this a lot. I think it involves pausing in the space of not knowing and just listening which is hard for us. Because in the pause sometimes the person does say a thing that’s very hurtful too, and doubles down. But I’d rather be in the pause but in the reactivity which ultimately activates me more into unhappiness.
This grew much more complex than I first anticipated. Great essay. My knee-jerk response is that candidates aren't likely to define concepts for which there is no cohesive agreement, defund the police being one. Define it and you lose every voter who doesn't share that definition. It's a no-win situation.
Family Stone is one of those movies I've seen many times, and I love your exploration of the dinner scene. Why the sacrifice? My answer is that it had nothing to do with logic. It's an emotional dam burst that's about the dozen times they've deflected her comments and the indignity of the challenge within the safe haven they've created against a world of such opinions.
But that's just my thoughts.
We're just not as far along as a country as I thought. I suspect that's true for many, no matter how cynical we thought we were. I keep hoping that at the very least people will see the outcome of their choices, and while many have, so many I wish to reach dubious bury their heads in right-wing media, never challenging their beliefs against anything resembling reality.
But that idea that we're not so far along also explains the majority of our liberal politicians who I suspect have been better aware of this than me. They haven't been reflecting our better nature but who we are, where we are. I hate that thought.
I wish we were better.
Thanks for this thoughtful comment. It’s so easy to be compassionate to people on both sides of that scene…but I think it took time for me to see it without knee-jerk reacting.
I'm a former conservative and I have to remind myself to be compassionate to those still on the right
Such a great read and alot to unpack....glad I read this early in the am with a clear head and cup of joe