Steve, I hope that I can make the cut of those you deem worthy of having stimulating conversations with you. I mean, I Know I'm worthy, but I also know that I sometimes fail at letting my rakish charm shine through.
I pride myself at being able to see multiple sides of any issue. I pride myself on being able to see the worth of the reason…
Steve, I hope that I can make the cut of those you deem worthy of having stimulating conversations with you. I mean, I Know I'm worthy, but I also know that I sometimes fail at letting my rakish charm shine through.
I pride myself at being able to see multiple sides of any issue. I pride myself on being able to see the worth of the reasons people have for choosing sides on any issue. I pride myself on always being able to discern that there are never only two sides.
I strive diligently to recognize the inherent worth of any person, of every person, and I connect with them based on that worth.
Recently I enthusiastically involved myself with Free Black Thought right here on Substack, but not long ago a conflict erupted in the world which betrayed its rank-and-file as not being as free as they... well, thought.
And it's not just them. It's conservatives in general. They rail righteously and powerfully against identity politics, yet when it comes to Palestinians and Israelis, their identity politics are at the forefront. And crossing that line gets you kicked out of the club. It would be an understatement to say that I am merely dismayed at the lockstep of conservative thought and action.
...For the last several days I have been trying to engage a Facebook friend - actually, an old College buddy - to try to feel some empathy for people who don't believe as he does. He has become very Progressive and he, like many, finds it far too difficult to deny the convenience of tarring and feathering those he is dutifully supposed to tar and feather.
We had a dispute about Moms for Liberty, as he labels all its members "bad and wrong and awful." Of course he linked me to articles written by those who "prove" his point. I countered with the case of Jessica Bates, an Oregon native who simply wants to be able to adopt. But she's Christian and the state of Oregon has deemed her unfit for this noble venture. So I asked my friend, regardless if he agrees with her or not, if he can muster a little empathy for a woman facing a sea change of social mores which invalidate every principle she's ever been taught to embrace.
And he said he could!
This delights me. This is the level of patience that I and all those like me must project, despite the vitriol and panic that has become the go-to lure of social media.
I, too, am Christian. And it is clear to me that my approach to all the noise out there is what Christ would have me do. Beyond that, it is what I am thrilled to do. Christ instilled that passion within me.
Which is my long-winded way of thanking you for this essay, and telling you how much I enjoyed reading it.
And let me add this edited comment: if you've known some of the things I've done to those I've lost patience with, you might have typed a different comment.
Steve, I hope that I can make the cut of those you deem worthy of having stimulating conversations with you. I mean, I Know I'm worthy, but I also know that I sometimes fail at letting my rakish charm shine through.
I pride myself at being able to see multiple sides of any issue. I pride myself on being able to see the worth of the reasons people have for choosing sides on any issue. I pride myself on always being able to discern that there are never only two sides.
I strive diligently to recognize the inherent worth of any person, of every person, and I connect with them based on that worth.
Recently I enthusiastically involved myself with Free Black Thought right here on Substack, but not long ago a conflict erupted in the world which betrayed its rank-and-file as not being as free as they... well, thought.
And it's not just them. It's conservatives in general. They rail righteously and powerfully against identity politics, yet when it comes to Palestinians and Israelis, their identity politics are at the forefront. And crossing that line gets you kicked out of the club. It would be an understatement to say that I am merely dismayed at the lockstep of conservative thought and action.
...For the last several days I have been trying to engage a Facebook friend - actually, an old College buddy - to try to feel some empathy for people who don't believe as he does. He has become very Progressive and he, like many, finds it far too difficult to deny the convenience of tarring and feathering those he is dutifully supposed to tar and feather.
We had a dispute about Moms for Liberty, as he labels all its members "bad and wrong and awful." Of course he linked me to articles written by those who "prove" his point. I countered with the case of Jessica Bates, an Oregon native who simply wants to be able to adopt. But she's Christian and the state of Oregon has deemed her unfit for this noble venture. So I asked my friend, regardless if he agrees with her or not, if he can muster a little empathy for a woman facing a sea change of social mores which invalidate every principle she's ever been taught to embrace.
And he said he could!
This delights me. This is the level of patience that I and all those like me must project, despite the vitriol and panic that has become the go-to lure of social media.
I, too, am Christian. And it is clear to me that my approach to all the noise out there is what Christ would have me do. Beyond that, it is what I am thrilled to do. Christ instilled that passion within me.
Which is my long-winded way of thanking you for this essay, and telling you how much I enjoyed reading it.
And Happy 2024!
"I strive diligently to recognize the inherent worth of any person, of every person"
Prepare to be disappointed.
The only disappointment I would face would be in me, if I stopped seeing the value in others.
It’s a question of how much time you’re willing to spend seeking that value.
Good luck.
Yes it is. Thanks!
And let me add this edited comment: if you've known some of the things I've done to those I've lost patience with, you might have typed a different comment.