I am unabashedly liberal. Even though most people don't know (or even like) a good portion of their fellow members of humanity, I believe that we have some obligations toward one another. I think I should pay a higher rate of taxes because I reap a higher share of benefits from our capitalist system. If you want to follow your religion, I am (mostly) OK with that, assuming that it doesn't literally hurt others (ie - female genital mutilation) and you don't try to convert me or force me to live by your religious beliefs. I am into the idea that people can think for themselves and that we can disagree and still be friendly.
Thus it was with much annoyance that I can across a blog today whose author said we got along just fine until she read that I generally support Israel. Radical Earthling then accused me of being a dumb fuck (but more nicely). (I concede that the article in question was not the clearest or most coherent 400 words I ever set to pen.) I'm cool with disagreeing and having a discussion about it.
What bothers me is that because she (he?) doesn't agree with my stance on Israel's right to exist, nothing else I write or think is acceptable. Why do people have to tow the exact same line on everything? My friend Sara (aka A Musing Farf) gets a lot of shit about this, too, especially about her "credibility" as a feminist. Farf and I don't see eye to eye on all (or even maybe most?) issues, but that's one of the reasons I like her: she challenges me to think. She has reasons for her beliefs and I like to hear them. Half of my favorite bloggers are waxed snatch lovers; I like hearing why. (And their reasons totally softened my outlook on it, even if I still personally shrink away from the practice.) If I hadn't egotistically googled myself, I might not have seen Radical Earthling's post, and I think she made some great points. (Maybe Radical Earthling could have left me a comment on that post indicating why she thinks I am wrong.) I respect thinkers, and I mock the crap out of idiots. I want to leave a comment on her post explaining some of my stances, but it won't take non-WordPress user feedback, so I'm shit out of luck.
Without dialogue, we might as well all just sit around watching beavers suckle beavers. Ladies and gentlemen, Suzanne has left the group think tank. Let's meet in the scary dark alley and talk crazy shit about what we disagree on.
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Hi Suzanne!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that it's strange how some bloggers will totally dismiss you if you hold one viewpoint different from them. Or because they generally or even just sometimes disagree with someone, then they can't be open to when that person does have something to say that they might find interesting.
Not sure how clear I'm being, but basically, hooray for divergent opinions and discussion and open communication.
Boo for when you can't comment on someone's blog without joining something you don't want to join.
Absolutely! My friend called my husband up today and volunteered to take OS to the petting farm/splash pad (don't ask. This friend is one of the lactation consultants who started up the petition to ban formula samples in MA. She's a good friend of mine and she was so supportive of me being on the show and really excited for me. We always just agree to disagree on that subject. Of course she also told me that she thought I shouldn't even try to breastfeed YS, that formula is just fine :)
ReplyDeleteActually two of my very good friends have softened me. Two of my dearest friends are devout, Bible thumping christians. when I first met them I was ready to stamp them crazy and never talk to them. But they were nice and warm and we quickly started a friendship.
ReplyDeleteThere is an understanding that I am not going to convert or go to church with them nor marry my live in who I have sex with. They will remain virgins until marriage and continue to practice their religion. Before them I would have told you that I would never befriend strict Christians.
It is possible to be kind and love those you disagree with as long as people are open minded. I haven't read Radical Earthling's article yet but perhaps they need to go make friends with someone they wouldn't necessarily.
Well WE love the stuffin' out of you, even though you insist on clinging to that patriarchal system of heterosexuality. And hell, if we can overlook a little thing like your non-gayness, political/ideological differences are a drop in the bucket, eh?
ReplyDeleteKwach
I like you even when you tell me I am irresponsible for bringing my dogs into Duane Reade with me. And I looked better waxed, darn it. Although, you challenged me too and now I am no longer completely bare. See, we influence each other!
ReplyDeleteI believe Radical Earthling may be a new blogger, and perhaps as such, may not realize that her commentary comes off as, "She disagrees with me, so therefore she sucks..." although I got that distinct impression in reading her blog entry.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, Suzanne, I don't think I can be your blog friend anymore. [big sigh] You see, I wax around the edges and do a bit of trimmage.
Here's hoping that Radical Earthling will realize how closed-minded her intro to her entry sounded, and follows up with a statement of some kind that doesn't completely disregard you based on a single point of view.
Hi, Suzanne. I love reading your blog (just found it a day or so ago). How boring would it be if the entire blogosphere was nothing but an echo chamber of a single belief. We should be able to respectfully engage each other in debate. Sure there are hot button issues, they retain their potency with silence, but are diffused with dialog.
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